Avalanche Diode Manufacture (e.g., Impatt, Trappat, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/380)
  • Patent number: 10242943
    Abstract: Stacked capacitor structures using TSVs are provided. In one aspect, a stacked capacitor structure includes: a first substrate having at least one first capacitor formed in a TSV in the first substrate; and a second substrate, bonded to the first substrate, having at least one second capacitor formed in a TSV in the second substrate, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor each comprises a first electrode and a dielectric that both surround a second electrode that is at a core of the TSV, wherein the dielectric separates the first electrode from the second electrode, and wherein the second substrate is bonded to the first substrate such that the first capacitor is stacked on the second capacitor. A method of forming a stacked capacitor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Conal E. Murray, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 9911728
    Abstract: A low capacitance transient voltage suppressor with snapback control and a reduced voltage punch-through breakdown mode includes an n+ type substrate, a first epitaxial layer on the substrate, a buried layer formed within the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, and an implant layer formed within the first epitaxial layer below the buried layer. The implant layer extends beyond the buried layer. A set of source regions is formed within a top surface of the second epitaxial layer. Implant regions are formed in the second epitaxial layer, with a first implant region located below the first source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Ning Shi, Lingpeng Guan, Madhur Bobde
  • Patent number: 9040952
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first conductive layer extending in a first direction, a second conductive layer extending in a second direction and disposed over the first conductive layer, the first and second directions being substantially perpendicular to each other, and a variable resistance layer disposed over the first conductive layer, the variable resistance layer extending in the second direction. An upper portion of the variable resistance layer is disposed between lower portions of two neighboring second conductive layers including the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Taejung Ha
  • Publication number: 20150118820
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure with a high voltage area and a low voltage area is provided. The method includes the following steps: providing a substrate of a first conductivity type; forming a second doped region of a second conductivity type in the substrate by a first implantation; forming a first doped region of a first conductivity type in the second doped region by a second implantation; forming an insulating layer on the substrate; forming a resistor on the insulating layer, wherein the resistor is electrically connecting the high voltage area and the low voltage area; and forming a conductor electrically connected to the resistor. The step of forming a first doped region defines the high voltage area and the low voltage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Chen-Yuan Lin, Ching-Lin Chan, Cheng-Chi Lin, Shih-Chin Lien
  • Patent number: 9018673
    Abstract: A disclosed Zener diode includes, in one embodiment, an anode region and a cathode region that form a shallow sub-surface latitudinal Zener junction. The Zener diode may further include an anode contact region interconnecting the anode region with a contact located away from the Zener junction region and a silicide blocking structure overlying the anode region. The Zener diode may also include one or more shallow, sub-surface longitudinal p-n junctions at the junctions between lateral edges of the cathode region and the adjacent region. The adjacent region may be a heavily doped region such as the anode contact region. In other embodiments, the Zener diode may include a breakdown voltage boost region comprising a more lightly doped region located between the cathode region and the anode contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Weize Chen, Xin Lin, Patrice M. Parris
  • Patent number: 9006853
    Abstract: A photodetector disclosed herein comprises an avalanche transistor having a reference junction structure in which temperature characteristics of a current amplification factor are about the same as those of an avalanche photodiode and which is reverse-biased, and a current injection junction structure which injects a reference current to the reference junction structure and which is forward-biased. Voltages to be applied to the avalanche photodiode and the reference junction structure are controlled so that the amplification factor of the reference current amplified in the reference junction structure is retained at a predetermined value, whereby the temperature characteristics of the photodetector utilizing an avalanche effect can be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Ito, Mineki Soga, Cristiano Niclass, Radivoje S. Popovic, Marc Lany, Toshiki Kindo
  • Patent number: 9000481
    Abstract: A low capacitance transient voltage suppressor with reduced clamping voltage includes an n+ type substrate, a first epitaxial layer on the substrate, a buried layer formed within the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, and an implant layer formed within the first epitaxial layer below the buried layer. The implant layer extends beyond the buried layer. A first trench is at an edge of the buried layer and an edge of the implant layer. A second trench is at another edge of the buried layer and extends into the implant layer. Each trench is lined with a dielectric layer. A set of source regions is formed within a top surface of the second epitaxial layer. The trenches and source regions alternate. A pair of implant regions is formed in the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Lingpeng Guan, Madhur Bobde, Anup Bhalla, Jun Hu, Wayne F. Eng
  • Publication number: 20150091136
    Abstract: A semiconductor device such as a Zener diode includes a first semiconductor material of a first conductivity type and a second semiconductor material of a second conductivity type in contact with the first semiconductor material to form a junction therebetween. A first oxide layer is disposed over a portion of the second semiconductor material such that a remaining portion of the second semiconductor material is exposed. A polysilicon layer is disposed on the exposed portion of the second semiconductor material and a portion of the first oxide layer. A first conductive layer is disposed on the polysilicon layer. A second conductive layer is disposed on a surface of the first semiconductor material opposing a surface of the first semiconductor material in contact with the second semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Vishay General Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Shih-Kuan Chen, Wan-Lan Chiang, Ming-Tai Chiang, Chih-Ping Peng, Yih-Yin Lin
  • Publication number: 20150041830
    Abstract: A semiconductor system of a Schottky diode is described having an integrated PN diode as a clamping element, which is suitable in particular as a Zener diode having a breakdown voltage of approximately 20 V for use in motor vehicle generator systems. The semiconductor system of the Schottky diode includes a combination of a Schottky diode and a PN diode. The breakdown voltage of the PN diode is much lower than the breakdown voltage of the Schottky diode, the semiconductor system being able to be operated using high currents during breakdown operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Ning QU, Alfred GOERLACH
  • Publication number: 20150021740
    Abstract: A method to integrate a vertical IMPATT diode in a planar process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Xiaochuan Bi, Tracey Krakowski, Doug Weiser
  • Publication number: 20140363946
    Abstract: A low capacitance transient voltage suppressor with reduced clamping voltage includes an n+ type substrate, a first epitaxial layer on the substrate, a buried layer formed within the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, and an implant layer formed within the first epitaxial layer below the buried layer. The implant layer extends beyond the buried layer. A first trench is at an edge of the buried layer and an edge of the implant layer. A second trench is at another edge of the buried layer and extends into the implant layer. Each trench is lined with a dielectric layer. A set of source regions is formed within a top surface of the second epitaxial layer. The trenches and source regions alternate. A pair of implant regions is formed in the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Lingpeng Guan, Madhur Bobde, Anup Bhalla, Jun Hu, Wayne F. Eng
  • Publication number: 20140291808
    Abstract: The invention relates to an avalanche diode that can be employed as an ESD protection device. An avalanche ignition region is formed at the p-n junction of the diode and includes an enhanced defect concentration level to provide rapid onset of avalanche current. The avalanche ignition region is preferably formed wider than the diode depletion zone, and is preferably created by placement, preferably by ion implantation, of an atomic specie different from that of the principal device structure. The doping concentration of the placed atomic specie should be sufficiently high to ensure substantially immediate onset of avalanche current when the diode breakdown voltage is exceeded. The new atomic specie preferably comprises argon or nitrogen, but other atomic species can be employed. However, other means of increasing a defect concentration level in the diode depletion zone, such as an altered annealing program, are also contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Jens Schneider, Kai Esmark, Martin Wendel
  • Patent number: 8829650
    Abstract: A zener diode in a SiGe BiCMOS process is disclosed. An N-type region of the zener diode is formed in an active region and surrounded by an N-deep well. A pseudo buried layer is formed under each of the shallow trench field oxide regions on a corresponding side of the active region, and the N-type region is connected to the pseudo buried layers via the N-deep well. The N-type region has its electrode picked up by deep hole contacts. A P-type region of the zener diode is formed of a P-type ion implanted region in the active region. The P-type region is situated above and in contact with the N-type region, and has a doping concentration greater than that of the N-type region. The P-type region has its electrode picked up by metal contact. A method of fabricating zener diode in a SiGe BiCMOS process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Hua Hong Nec Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Donghua Liu, Jun Hu, Wenting Duan, Wensheng Qian, Jing Shi
  • Patent number: 8822300
    Abstract: A low capacitance transient voltage suppressor with reduced clamping voltage includes an n+ type substrate, a first epitaxial layer on the substrate, a buried layer formed within the first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, and an implant layer formed within the first epitaxial layer below the buried layer. The implant layer extends beyond the buried layer. A first trench is at an edge of the buried layer and an edge of the implant layer. A second trench is at another edge of the buried layer and extends into the implant layer. A third trench is at another edge of the implant layer. Each trench is lined with a dielectric layer. A set of source regions is formed within a top surface of the second epitaxial layer. The trenches and source regions alternate. A pair of implant regions is formed in the second epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Lingpeng Guan, Madhur Bobde, Anup Bhalla, Jun Hu, Wayne F. Eng
  • Publication number: 20140242771
    Abstract: A semiconductor component and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor component, wherein the semiconductor component includes a transient voltage suppression structure that includes at least two diodes and a Zener diode. In accordance with embodiments, a semiconductor material is provided that includes an epitaxial layer. The at least two diodes and the Zener diode are created at the surface of the epitaxial layer, where the at least two diodes may be adjacent to the Zener diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Umesh Sharma, Harry Yue Gee, Der Min Liou, David D Marreiro, Sudhama C Shastri
  • Patent number: 8785326
    Abstract: Wafer-level processing of wafer assemblies with transducers is described herein. A method in accordance with some embodiments includes forming a solid state transducer device by forming one or more trenches to define solid state radiation transducers. An etching media is delivered in to the trenches to release the transducers from a growth substrate used to fabricate the transducers. A pad can hold the radiation transducers and promote distribution of the etching media through the trenches to underetch and release the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin F. Schubert, Ming Zhang, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 8778721
    Abstract: An embodiment of array of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes, wherein each photodiode is formed by a body of semiconductor material, having a first conductivity type and housing an anode region, of a second conductivity type, facing a top surface of the body, a cathode-contact region, having the first conductivity type and a higher doping level than the body, facing a bottom surface of the body, an insulation region extending through the body and insulating an active area from the rest of the body, the active area housing the anode region and the cathode-contact region. The insulation region is formed by a first mirror region of polycrystalline silicon, a second mirror region of metal material, and a channel-stopper region of dielectric material, surrounding the first and second mirror regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Delfo Nunziato Sanfilippo, Piero Giorgio Fallica
  • Publication number: 20140175450
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical GaN power device includes providing a first GaN material having a first conductivity type and forming a second GaN material having a second conductivity type and coupled to the first GaN material to create a junction. The method further includes implanting ions through the second GaN material and into a first portion of the first GaN material to increase a doping concentration of the first conductivity type. The first portion of the junction is characterized by a reduced breakdown voltage relative to a breakdown voltage of a second portion of the junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: AVOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Donald R. DISNEY
  • Patent number: 8754502
    Abstract: Each light detecting unit includes a semiconductor region that outputs a carrier, and a surface electrode. In a photodiode array, a read wire is positioned between neighboring avalanche photodiodes. When a plane including a surface of the semiconductor region is set as a reference plane, a distance tb from the reference plane to the read wire is larger than a distance to from the reference plane to the surface electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Koei Yamamoto, Terumasa Nagano, Kazuhisa Yamamura, Kenichi Sato, Ryutaro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8716097
    Abstract: A Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor includes a substrate having a topside semiconductor surface doped with a first dopant type having a baseline doping level. A well is formed in the semiconductor surface doped with a second doping type. The well forms a well-substrate junction having a well depletion region. A retrograde doped region is below the well-substrate junction doped with the first dopant type having a peak first dopant concentration of between five (5) and one hundred (100) times above the baseline doping level at a location of the peak first dopant concentration, wherein with zero bias across the well-substrate junction at least (>) ninety (90) % of a total dose of the retrograde doped region is below the bottom of the well depletion region. A gate structure is on the well. Source and drain regions are on opposing sides of the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry James Bordelon, Jr., Amitava Chatterjee
  • Publication number: 20140103484
    Abstract: In one embodiment, electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: David D. Marreiro, Steven M. Etter, Sudhama C. Shastri
  • Patent number: 8679934
    Abstract: A PCRAM cell has a gradated or layered resistivity bottom electrode with higher resistivity closer to a phase change material, to provide partial heating near the interface between the cell and the bottom electrode, preventing separation of the amorphous GST region from the bottom electrode, and reducing the programming current requirements. The bottom electrode can also be tapered to have a smaller cross-sectional area at the top of the bottom electrode than at the bottom of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Publication number: 20140061715
    Abstract: A disclosed Zener diode includes, in one embodiment, an anode region and a cathode region that form a shallow sub-surface latitudinal Zener junction. The Zener diode may further include an anode contact region interconnecting the anode region with a contact located away from the Zener junction region and a silicide blocking structure overlying the anode region. The Zener diode may also include one or more shallow, sub-surface longitudinal p-n junctions at the junctions between lateral edges of the cathode region and the adjacent region. The adjacent region may be a heavily doped region such as the anode contact region. In other embodiments, the Zener diode may include a breakdown voltage boost region comprising a more lightly doped region located between the cathode region and the anode contact region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Weize Chen, Xin Lin, Patrice M. Parris
  • Patent number: 8623733
    Abstract: Provided are methods of void-free tungsten fill of high aspect ratio features. According to various embodiments, the methods involve a reduced temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to fill the features with tungsten. In certain embodiments, the process temperature is maintained at less than about 350° C. during the chemical vapor deposition to fill the feature. The reduced-temperature CVD tungsten fill provides improved tungsten fill in high aspect ratio features, provides improved barriers to fluorine migration into underlying layers, while achieving similar thin film resistivity as standard CVD fill. Also provided are methods of depositing thin tungsten films having low-resistivity. According to various embodiments, the methods involve performing a reduced temperature low resistivity treatment on a deposited nucleation layer prior to depositing a tungsten bulk layer and/or depositing a bulk layer via a reduced temperature CVD process followed by a high temperature CVD process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Raashina Humayun, Michal Danek, Anand Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 8604515
    Abstract: A bidirectional protection component formed in a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type including a first implanted area of the first conductivity type, an epitaxial layer of the second conductivity type on the substrate and the first implanted area, a second area of the first conductivity type on the external side of the epitaxial layer, in front of the first area, and implanted with the same dose as the first area, a first metallization covering the entire lower surface of the substrate, and a second metallization covering the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventor: Benjamin Morillon
  • Patent number: 8557671
    Abstract: A vertical transient voltage suppressing (TVS) device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type where the substrate is heavily doped, an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type formed on the substrate where the epitaxial layer has a first thickness, and a base region of a second conductivity type formed in the epitaxial layer where the base region is positioned in a middle region of the epitaxial layer. The base region and the epitaxial layer provide a substantially symmetrical vertical doping profile on both sides of the base region. In one embodiment, the base region is formed by high energy implantation. In another embodiment, the base region is formed as a buried layer. The doping concentrations of the epitaxial layer and the base region are selected to configure the TVS device as a punchthrough diode based TVS or an avalanche mode TVS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventors: Lingpeng Guan, Madhur Bobde, Anup Bhalla
  • Publication number: 20130240908
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a silicon carbide layer having a first conductivity type and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and first and second silicon carbide Zener diodes on the silicon carbide layer. Each of the first and second silicon carbide Zener diodes may include a first heavily doped silicon carbide region having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type on the silicon carbide layer, and an ohmic contact on the first heavily doped silicon carbide region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Kay Haney, Sei-Hyung Ryu
  • Patent number: 8530979
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor package which includes: a semiconductor substrate; a functional element that is disposed on one surface of the semiconductor substrate; a protection substrate that is disposed in an opposite side of that surface of the semiconductor substrate with a predetermined gap from a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a junction member that is disposed to surround the functional element and bonds the semiconductor substrate and the protection substrate together, wherein the functional element has a shape different from a shape of a plane surrounded by the junction member in that surface of the semiconductor substrate, or is disposed in a region deviated from a central region of the plane surrounded by the junction member in that surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Ogura, Yuki Suto
  • Publication number: 20130175670
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment illustrates a zener diode structure, wherein the zener diode structure includes a first-type semiconductor layer, a second-type semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulation layer. The second-type semiconductor layer is disposed in a designated area in the first-type semiconductor layer. The first electrode is disposed on the bottom side of the first-type semiconductor layer. The second electrode is disposed above the first-type and the second-type semiconductor layers in corresponding to the central area of the second-type semiconductor layer. The insulation layer is disposed above the first-type and the second-type semiconductor layers surrounding the second electrode. The disclosed zener structure having the insulation layer can reduce the short circuit issue resulting from overflow of an adhesive material during the zener diode packaging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: LEXTAR ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: FU-SIN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8476673
    Abstract: A diode has a semiconductor layer and cathode and anode electrodes on a surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has cathode and anode regions respectively contacting the cathode and anode electrodes. The anode region has a first diffusion region having high surface concentration, a second diffusion region having intermediate surface concentration, and a third diffusion region having low surface concentration. The first diffusion region is covered with the second and third diffusion regions. The second diffusion region has a first side surface facing the cathode region, a second side surface opposite to the cathode region, and a bottom surface extending between the first and second side surfaces. The third diffusion region covers at least one of the first corner part connecting the first side surface with the bottom surface and the second corner part connecting the second side surface with the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Tokura, Satoshi Shiraki, Shigeki Takahashi, Shinya Sakurai, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8476140
    Abstract: A diode and memory device including the diode, where the diode includes a conductive portion and another portion formed of a first material that has characteristics allowing a first decrease in a resistivity of the material upon application of a voltage to the material, thereby allowing current to flow there through, and has further characteristics allowing a second decrease in the resistivity of the first material in response to an increase in temperature of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8461010
    Abstract: In conventional processes, a recombination rate of minority carrier accumulated between a diffusion layer of an anode and a diffusion layer of a cathode cannot be enhanced. An interlayer insulating film 20 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. An opening 22 (first opening), an opening 24 (second opening) and an opening 26 are formed in the interlayer insulating film 20. The opening 22 and the opening 26 are formed above respective the p-type diffusion layer 16 and the n-type diffusion layer 18. The opening 24 is formed above the gap region that is a region between the p-type diffusion layer 16 and the n-type diffusion layer 18. A contact plug 32, a contact plug 34 and a contact plug 36 are embedded in the opening 22, the opening 24 and the opening 26 respectively. Both regions of the semiconductor substrate 10 located under the opening 22 among and located under the opening 24 are doped with an impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masaharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8420496
    Abstract: A PIN diode has an n? drift layer, a p anode layer, an n buffer layer, an n+ layer, a front surface electrode and a back surface electrode. The n+ layer has an impurity concentration having a stepwise profile substantially fixed for a predetermined depth measured from a second major surface. The n buffer layer has an impurity concentration gently decreasing as seen at the n+ layer toward n? drift layer. The n? drift layer has an impurity concentration reflecting that of the semiconductor substrate and thus substantially fixed depthwise. The p anode layer has an impurity concentration relatively steeply decreasing as seen at a first major surface toward the n? drift layer. Thus there can be provided a semiconductor device that can provide characteristics, as desired, with high precision to accommodate the product applied, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Fujii
  • Patent number: 8395244
    Abstract: A fast recovery diode includes an n-doped base layer having a cathode side and an anode side opposite the cathode side. A p-doped anode layer is arranged on the anode side. The anode layer has a doping profile and includes at least two sublayers. A first one of the sublayers has a first maximum doping concentration, which is between 2*1016 cm?3 and 2*1017 cm?3 and which is higher than the maximum doping concentration of any other sublayer. A last one of the sublayers has a last sublayer depth, which is larger than any other sublayer depth. The last sublayer depth is between 90 to 120 ?m. The doping profile of the anode layer declines such that a doping concentration in a range of 5*1014 cm?3 and 1*1015 cm?3 is reached between a first depth, which is at least 20 ?m, and a second depth, which is at maximum 50 ?m. Such a profile of the doping concentration is achieved by using aluminum diffused layers as the at least two sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jan Vobecky, Kati Hemmann, Hamit Duran, Munaf Rahimo
  • Patent number: 8349663
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for forming a non-volatile memory cell is provided. The method includes (1) forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) antifuse stack including (a) a first metal layer; (b) a silicon dioxide, oxynitride or silicon nitride antifuse layer formed above the first metal layer; and (c) a second metal layer formed above the antifuse layer. The method also includes (2) forming a contiguous p-i-n diode above the MIM antifuse stack, the contiguous p-i-n diode comprising deposited semiconductor material; (3) forming a layer of a silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide in contact with the deposited semiconductor material; and (4) crystallizing the deposited semiconductor material in contact with the layer of silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide. The memory cell comprises the contiguous p-i-n diode and the MIM antifuse stack. Other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: S. Brad Herner, Tanmay Kumar
  • Patent number: 8339758
    Abstract: A transient voltage suppressor and a method for protecting against surge and electrostatic discharge events. A semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type has gate and anode regions of a second conductivity type formed therein. A PN junction diode is formed from a portion of the gate region and the semiconductor substrate. A cathode is formed adjacent to another portion of the gate region. A thyristor is formed from the cathode, the gate region, the substrate, and the anode region. Zener diodes are formed from other portions of the gate region and the semiconductor substrate. A second Zener diode has a breakdown voltage that is greater than a breakdown voltage of a first Zener diode and that is greater than a breakover voltage of the thyristor. The first Zener diode protects against a surge event and the second Zener diode protects against an electrostatic discharge event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Mingjiao Liu, Ali Salih, Emmanuel Saucedo-Flores, Suem Ping Loo
  • Patent number: 8334179
    Abstract: A semiconductor system is described, which is made up of a highly n-doped silicon substrate and a first n-silicon epitaxial layer, which is directly contiguous to the highly n-doped silicon substrate, and having a p-doped SiGe layer, which is contiguous to a second n-doped silicon epitaxial layer and forms a heterojunction diode, which is situated above the first n-doped silicon epitaxial layer and in which the pn-junction is situated within the p-doped SiGe layer. The first n-silicon epitaxial layer has a higher doping concentration than the second n-silicon epitaxial layer. Situated between the two n-doped epitaxial layers is at least one p-doped emitter trough, which forms a buried emitter, a pn-junction both to the first n-doped silicon epitaxial layer and also to the second n-doped silicon epitaxial layer being formed, and the at least one emitter trough being completely enclosed by the two epitaxial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ning Qu, Alfred Goerlach
  • Patent number: 8324711
    Abstract: A precision high-frequency capacitor includes a dielectric layer formed on the front side surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first electrode on top of the dielectric layer. The semiconductor substrate is heavily doped and therefore has a low resistivity. A second electrode, insulated from the first electrode, is also formed over the front side surface. In one embodiment, the second electrode is connected by a metal-filled via to a layer of conductive material on the back side of the substrate. In alternative embodiments, the via is omitted and the second electrode is either in electrical contact with the substrate or is formed on top of the dielectric layer, yielding a pair of series-connected capacitors. ESD protection for the capacitor can be provided by a pair of oppositely-directed diodes formed in the substrate and connected in parallel with the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Haim Goldberger, Sik Lui, Jacek Korec, Y. Mohammed Kasem, Harianto Wong, Jack Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 8309423
    Abstract: A high voltage diode in which the n-type cathode is surrounded by an uncontacted heavily doped n-type ring to reflect injected holes back into the cathode region for recombination or collection is disclosed. The dopant density in the heavily doped n-type ring is preferably 100 to 10,000 times the dopant density in the cathode. The heavily doped n-type region will typically connect to an n-type buried layer under the cathode. The heavily doped n-type ring is optimally positioned at least one hole diffusion length from cathode contacts. The disclosed high voltage diode may be integrated into an integrated circuit without adding process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sameer P. Pendharkar, Binghua Hu
  • Patent number: 8309422
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a P-N diode and to have a conductor that provides a current path between the zener diode and the P-N diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Marreiro, Sudhama C. Shastri, Ali Salih, Mingjiao Liu, John Michael Parsey, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120256196
    Abstract: A semiconductor system of a Schottky diode is described having an integrated PN diode as a clamping element, which is suitable in particular as a Zener diode having a breakdown voltage of approximately 20 V for use in motor vehicle generator systems. The semiconductor system of the Schottky diode includes a combination of a Schottky diode and a PN diode. The breakdown voltage of the PN diode is much lower than the breakdown voltage of the Schottky diode, the semiconductor system being able to be operated using high currents during breakdown operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Ning Qu, Alfred Goerlach
  • Publication number: 20120223416
    Abstract: A thin-film semiconductor component includes a carrier and a semiconductor body with a semiconductor layer sequence including an active region provided to generate radiation. The semiconductor body is externally electrically contactable by a first contact and a second contact. The carrier includes a protection diode structure connected electrically in parallel to the semiconductor body. The protection diode structure includes a first diode and a second diode. The first diode and the second diode are electrically connected in series in mutually opposing directions with regard to their forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Scheubeck, Siegfried Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8236625
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a two terminal multi-channel ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a plurality of P-N diodes. In another embodiment, the ESD devices has an asymmetrical, characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Ali Salih, Mingjiao Liu
  • Patent number: 8222115
    Abstract: In one embodiment, high doped semiconductor channels are formed in a semiconductor region of an opposite conductivity type to increase the capacitance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: David D. Marreiro, Sudhama C. Shastri, Gordon M. Grivna, Earl D. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 8217495
    Abstract: A high-frequency metal-insulator-metal (MIM) type diode is constructed as a bridge suspended above a substrate to significantly reduce parasitic capacitances affecting the operation frequency of the diode thereby permitting improved high-frequency rectification, demodulation, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert H. Blick, Chulki Kim, Jonghoo Park
  • Patent number: 8212286
    Abstract: The semiconductor light receiving element 1 includes a semiconductor substrate 101, and a semiconductor layer having a photo-absorption layer 105 disposed on the top of the semiconductor substrate 101. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor light receiving element 1 containing at least the photo-absorption layer 105 has a mesa structure, and a side wall of the mesa is provided with a protective film 113 covering the side wall. The protective film 113 is a silicon nitride film containing hydrogen, and a hydrogen concentration in one surface of the protective film 113 located at the side of the mesa side wall is lower than a hydrogen concentration in the other surface of the protective film 113 located at the side that is opposite to the side of the mesa side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Emiko Fujii
  • Patent number: 8212343
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip package comprises a lead frame having a chip carrier having a first surface and an opposite second surface. A first semiconductor chip is mounted on the first surface, having a plurality of bonding pads thereon, wherein the first semiconductor chip has an area larger that that of the chip carrier. A package substrate has a central region attached to the second surface of the chip carrier, having an area larger than that of the first semiconductor chip, wherein the package substrate comprises a plurality of fingers on a top surface thereof in a marginal region of the package substrate, which are arranged in an array with a row of inner fingers adjacent to the first semiconductor chip and a row of outer fingers adjacent to an edge of the package substrate, wherein the inner and outer fingers are electrically connected to the bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip and the lead frame respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Nan-Jang Chen
  • Patent number: 8163612
    Abstract: Methods and heterostructure barrier varactor (HBV) diodes optimized for application with frequency multipliers at providing outputs at submillimeter wave frequencies and above. The HBV diodes include a silicon-containing substrate, an electrode over the silicon-containing substrate, and one or more heterojunction quantum wells of alternating layers of Si and SiGe of one or more electrodes of the diode. Each SiGe quantum well preferably has a floating SiGe layer between adjacent SiGe gradients followed by adjacent Si layers, such that, a single homogeneous structure is provided characterized by having no distinct separations. The plurality of Si/SiGe heterojunction quantum wells may be symmetric or asymmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Erik M Dahlstrom, Alvin J Joseph, Robert M Rassel, David C Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8148229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light-receiving device having high reproducibility and reliability. Specifically disclosed is a semiconductor light-receiving device 100 with a mesa structure wherein a light-absorbing layer 6, an avalanche multiplication layer 4 and an electric-field relaxation layer 5 are formed on a semiconductor substrate 2. The light-absorbing layer 6, avalanche multiplication layer 4 and electric-field relaxation layer 5 exposed in the side wall of the mesa structure are protected by an SiNx film or an SiOyNz film. The hydrogen concentration in the side wall surface of the electric-field relaxation layer 5 is set at not more than 15%, preferably not more than 10% of the carrier concentration of the electric-field relaxation layer 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shiba, Kikuo Makita, Takeshi Nakata
  • Publication number: 20120074522
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a vertical zener diode structure, in which a deep N-sinker region and a P-implantation region of the zener diode are formed in an N-well within an epitaxial layer; the P-implantation region is closer to a silicon surface than the deep N-sinker region in a vertical direction. In this structure, as zener breakdown occurs at a position away from the silicon surface, the problem of a drift in the zener breakdown value can be improved. The present invention also discloses a manufacturing method of a vertical zener diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Shuai Zhang, Ke Dong