Making Device Or Circuit Responsive To Nonelectrical Signal Patents (Class 438/48)
  • Patent number: 8736002
    Abstract: The sensor assembly comprises a substrate (1), such as a flexible printed circuit board, and a sensor chip (2) flip-chip mounted to the substrate (1), with a first side (3) of the sensor chip (2) facing the substrate (1). A sensing area (4) and contact pads (5) are integrated on the first side (3) of the sensor chip (2). Underfill (18) and/or solder flux is arranged between the sensor chip (2) and the substrate (1). The sensor chip (2) extends over an edge (12) of the substrate (1), with the edge (12) of the substrate (1) extending between the contact pads (5) and the sensing area (4) over the whole sensor chip (2). A dam (16) can be provided along the edge (12) of the substrate (1) for even better separation of the underfill (18) and the sensing area (4). This de sign allows for a simple alignment of the sensor chip on the substrate (1) and prevents underfill (18) from covering the sensing area (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Markus Graf, Werner Hunziker, Franziska Brem, Felix Mayer
  • Patent number: 8735206
    Abstract: A method includes a first bonding step of bonding a first main surface of a first solar cell and one side portion of a first wiring member to each other in such a way that the first main surface of the first solar cell and the one side portion are heated and pressed against each other by heated first and second tools in a state where the first main surface of the first solar cell and the one side portion face each other with the resin adhesive interposed therebetween. The first bonding step is performed with the first tool disposed in such a way that, in an extending direction of the first wiring member, both end portions of the first tool are located outside both ends of a portion of the first wiring member, the portion facing the first solar cell with the resin adhesive interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koutarou Sumitomo, Tomonori Tabe
  • Patent number: 8736009
    Abstract: The image sensor includes a substrate, an insulating structure formed on a first surface of the substrate and including a first metal wiring layer exposed by a contact hole penetrating the substrate, a conductive spacer formed on sidewalls of the contact hole and electrically connected to the first metal wiring layer, and a pad formed on a second surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the first metal wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Jun Park, Yong Woo Lee, Chang Rok Moon
  • Patent number: 8729602
    Abstract: An APD is provided with a semi-insulating substrate, a first mesa having a first laminate constitution in which a p-type electrode layer, a p-type light absorbing layer, a light absorbing layer with a low impurity concentration, a band gap inclined layer, a p-type electric field control layer, an avalanche multiplier layer, an n-type electric field control layer, and an electron transit layer with a low impurity concentration are stacked in this order on a surface of the semi-insulating substrate, a second mesa having an outer circumference provided inside an outer circumference of the first mesa as viewed from the laminating direction and having a second laminate constitution in which an n-type electrode buffer layer and an n-type electrode layer are stacked in this order on a surface on the electron transit layer side of the first mesa, and in the APD, a total donor concentration of the n-type electric field control layer is lower than a total acceptor concentration of the p-type electric field control laye
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: NTT Electronics Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Ishibashi, Seigo Ando, Masahiro Nada, Yoshifumi Muramoto, Haruki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8723276
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes etching a first opening into a substrate; etching a chip singulation trench into the substrate to define a lamella between the first opening and the chip singulation trench; fabricating a sense element for sensing a deflection of the lamella; and singulating the semiconductor structure at the chip singulation trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Boris Binder, Bernd Foeste, Thoralf Kautzsch, Stefan Kolb, Marco Mueller
  • Patent number: 8722437
    Abstract: A method of component assembly on a substrate, and an assembly of a bound component on a substrate. The method comprises the steps of forming a free-standing component having an optical characteristic; providing a pattern of a first binding species on the substrate or the free standing component; and forming a bound component on the substrate through a binding interaction via the first binding species; wherein the bound component exhibits substantially the same optical characteristic compared to the free-standing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Mogul Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Till Böcking, John Justin Gooding, Kristopher A. Kilian, Michael Gal, Katharina Gaus, Peter John Reece, Qiao Hong
  • Patent number: 8723227
    Abstract: A protection clamp is provided between a first terminal and a second terminal, and includes a multi-gate high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), a current limiting circuit, and a forward trigger control circuit. The multi-gate HEMT includes a drain/source, a source/drain, a first depletion-mode (D-mode) gate, a second D-mode gate, and an enhancement-mode (E-mode) gate disposed between the first and second D-mode gates. The drain/source and the first D-mode gate are connected to the first terminal and the source/drain and the second D-mode gate are connected to the second terminal. The forward trigger control and the current limiting circuits are coupled between the E-mode gate and the first and second terminals, respectively. The forward trigger control circuit provides an activation voltage to the E-mode gate when a voltage of the first terminal exceeds a voltage of the second terminal by a forward trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Srivatsan Parthasarathy, Javier Alejandro Salcedo, Shuyun Zhang
  • Patent number: 8719610
    Abstract: A computing system includes at least one functional unit and a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) block coupled to the at least one functional unit. The MRAM block is configured to store a functional state of the at least one functional unit during a power down state of the at least one functional unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Nowak, Lew Chua-Eoan, Seung H Kang
  • Patent number: 8716821
    Abstract: A semiconductor device contains a photodiode which includes a buried collection region formed by a bandgap well to vertically confine photo-generated minority carriers. the bandgap well has the same conductivity as the semiconductor material immediately above and below the bandgap well. A net average doping density in the bandgap well is at least a factor of ten less than net average doping densities immediately above and below the bandgap well. A node of the photodiode, either the anode or the cathode, is connected to the buried collection region to collect the minority carriers, the polarity of the node matches the polarity of the minority carriers. The photodiode node connected to the buried collection region occupies less lateral area than the lateral area of the buried collection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry Litzmann Edwards, Dimitar Trifonov Trifonov
  • Patent number: 8709847
    Abstract: To achieve promotion of stability of operational function of display device and enlargement of design margin in circuit design, in a display device including a pixel portion having a semiconductor element and a plurality of pixels provided with pixel electrodes connected to the semiconductor element on a substrate, the semiconductor element includes a photosensitive organic resin film as an interlayer insulating film, an inner wall face of a first opening portion provided at the photosensitive organic resin film is covered by a second insulating nitride film, a second opening portion provided at an inorganic insulating film is provided on an inner side of the first opening portion, the semiconductor and a wiring are connected through the first opening portion and the second opening portion and the pixel electrode is provided at a layer on a lower side of an activation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hayakawa, Satoshi Murakami, Shunpei Yamazaki, Kengo Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8710597
    Abstract: A method and structure for adding mass with stress isolation to MEMS. The structure has a thickness of silicon material coupled to at least one flexible element. The thickness of silicon material can be configured to move in one or more spatial directions about the flexible element(s) according to a specific embodiment. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recessed regions formed in respective spatial regions of the thickness of silicon material. Additionally, the apparatus includes a glue material within each of the recessed regions and a plug material formed overlying each of the recessed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: mCube Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Koury, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8703510
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for manufacturing an array substrate, wherein the procedure for forming a data line, an active layer with a channel, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a pixel electrode comprises applying a photoresist on a data line metal thin film and performing exposure and development processes by using a multi-tone mask so as to form a photoresist pattern including a third thickness region, a second thickness region and a first thickness region whose thicknesses are successively increased, the third thickness region at least corresponding to the pixel electrode, the second thickness region corresponding to the data line, the active layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the first thickness region corresponding to the other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngsuk Song, Seungjin Choi, Seongyeol Yoo
  • Patent number: 8704334
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an internal circuit provided on a substrate, a plurality of external terminals connected to the internal circuit, a plurality of wires connecting the internal circuit and the external terminals, and a plurality of inductors communicating with an external device. Each of the inductors is connected to each of the wires. The external terminals are formed in a region not to interrupt communication between the inductors and the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 8704220
    Abstract: An active device including a source, a drain, an oxide semiconductor layer, a gate and a gate insulator layer is provided. The source includes first stripe electrodes parallel to each other and a first connection electrode connected thereto. The drain includes second stripe electrodes parallel to each other and a second connection electrode connected thereto, wherein the first stripe electrodes and the second stripe electrodes are parallel to each other, electrically isolated, and alternately arranged, and a zigzag trench is formed therebetween. The gate extends along the zigzag trench. The oxide semiconductor layer is in contact with the source and drain, wherein a contact area among the oxide semiconductor layer and each first stripe electrodes substantially equals to a layout area of each first stripe electrodes and a contact area among each second stripe electrodes substantially equals to a layout area of each second stripe electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hao-Lin Chiu, Chi-Jui Lin, Shu-Wei Tsao, Chun-Nan Lin, Po-Liang Yeh, Shine-Kai Tseng
  • Patent number: 8704210
    Abstract: A method of providing miniaturized size down to nanoscale electronic materials, which may be easily incorporated into the future ever-scaling down power electronics, microelectronics and nanoelectronics device systems, is disclosed. A linear or nonlinear nanoparticle (nanowire) junction design that allows precise controllability over an electronic device (e.g., a varistor) performance, which is typically difficult for the traditional sintered bulk varistor, is also disclosed. A localized doping and chemical modulation, across junctions allows flexible and tunable design over the nanoscale grain boundary band engineering is further disclosed. Furthermore, a method of operating memory, using electrostatic potential modulated coding and decoding across periodic nanoparticle grain boundary linearly, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventor: Pu-Xian Gao
  • Patent number: 8692349
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a semiconductor device including a semiconductor package in which a semiconductor chip is mounted on the package substrate. The semiconductor package may include a temperature measurement device and a temperature control circuit. The temperature measurement device may measure a temperature of the semiconductor package. The temperature control circuit may change an operation speed of the semiconductor package on the basis of the temperature of the semiconductor package measured by the temperature measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Choon Kim, Eunseok Cho, Mi-Na Choi, Kyoungsei Choi, Heejung Hwang, Seran Bae
  • Patent number: 8691608
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having integrated nanochannels confined by nanometer spaced electrodes, and VLSI (very large scale integration) planar fabrication methods for making the devices. A semiconductor device includes a bulk substrate and a first metal layer formed on the bulk substrate, wherein the first metal layer comprises a first electrode. A nanochannel is formed over the first metal layer, and extends in a longitudinal direction in parallel with a plane of the bulk substrate. A second metal layer is formed over the nanochannel, wherein the second metal layer comprises a second electrode. A top wall of the nanochannel is defined at least in part by a surface of the second electrode and a bottom wall of the nanochannel is defined by a surface of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Harrer, Stanislav Polonsky, Mark B. Ketchen, John A. Ott
  • Patent number: 8691607
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device is fabricated from a wafer having a plurality of die regions with grooves and MEMS components formed on a wafer surface at each die region. A first metal having a relatively high melting temperature is formed on sidewalls of each groove, and a cap is attached at each die region to provide a closed cavity which encloses the grooves and MEMS components. Bottoms of the grooves are opened by thinning the wafer thereby establishing through-hole vias extending through the wafer at each die region, for accessing the cavity for inserting or removing material. The vias are sealed by interacting a second metal having a relatively low melting temperature with the first metal layer to form intermetallic compounds with higher melting temperature that maintain the seal during subsequent lower temperature operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Virgil C. Ararao
  • Patent number: 8687030
    Abstract: There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taizo Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8685780
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an organic thin film solar cell and an organic thin film solar cell manufactured by the same, which can reduce manufacturing cost by simplifying manufacturing process, ensure long-lasting durability and stability, and improve energy conversion efficiency of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Won Jung Kim, Yong Jun Jang, Yong Gu Kim, Ki Chun Lee, Sang Hak Kim, Mi Yeon Song
  • Patent number: 8685776
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensor architecture based on bulk machining of silicon wafers and fusion bond joining which provides a nearly all-silicon, hermetically sealed, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. An example device includes a device sensor mechanism formed in an active semiconductor layer and separated from a handle layer by a dielectric layer, and a silicon cover plate having a handle layer with a dielectric layer being bonded to portions of the active layer. Pit are included in one of the handle layers and corresponding dielectric layers to access electrical leads on the active layer. Another example includes set backs from the active components formed by anisotropically etching the handle layer while the active layer has been protectively doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter H. LaFond, Lianzhong Yu
  • Patent number: 8680592
    Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction device is disclosed that includes forming a trench in a substrate, the trench including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, a fourth sidewall, and a bottom wall. The method includes depositing a first conductive material within the trench proximate to the first sidewall and depositing a second conductive material within the trench. The method further includes depositing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure within the trench. The MTJ structure includes a fixed magnetic layer having a magnetic field with a fixed magnetic orientation, a tunnel junction layer, and a free magnetic layer having a magnetic field with a configurable magnetic orientation. The method further includes selectively removing a portion of the MTJ structure that is adjacent to the fourth sidewall to create an opening such that the MTJ structure is substantially u-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Xia Li
  • Patent number: 8679884
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor apparatus includes the first step of forming a silicon oxide film including a main portion on a second portion and a sub portion between a first portion and a silicon nitride film, the second step of forming a first conductivity type impurity region under the silicon oxide film, and the third step of forming a semiconductor element including a second conductivity type impurity region having an opposite conductivity to the first conductivity type impurity region in the first portion. In the second step, angled ion implantation is performed into a region under the sub portion at an implantation angle using the silicon nitride film as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8677929
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for masking of substrates for deposition, and subsequent lifting of the mask with deposited material. Masking materials are utilized that can be used in high temperatures and vacuum environment. The masking material has minimal outgassing once inside a vacuum chamber and withstand the temperatures during deposition process. The mask is inkjeted over the wafers and, after deposition, removed using agitation, such as ultrasonic agitation, or using laser burn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intevac, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander J. Berger, Terry Bluck, Vinay Shah, Judy Huang, Karthik Janakiraman, Chau T. Nguyen, Greg Stumbo
  • Patent number: 8673655
    Abstract: An electronic package implemented in an electronic device may include a damaged connection that restricts electrical communication between components in the electronic package. For example, the damaged connection may restrict communication between a silicon unit, such as a processor die for example, and a printed circuit board. The damaged connection may be repaired without damaging other components in the electronic package by using a repair apparatus that includes a heating element and a cooling element. The heating element may be activated to transfer heat to the electronic package for reforming the damaged connection between components to enable effective electrical communication. The cooling element may be activated for cooling components in the electronic package to prevent damage due to the transfer of the heat from the heating element. The heating element and/or the cooling element may be activated in a predetermined pattern to facilitate the repair of the damaged connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gamestop Texas, Ltd.
    Inventor: Asim Naqvi
  • Patent number: 8673669
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor, in which an implantation process is performed on substrate under isolation structures each disposed between two adjacent photosensor cell structures. The implantation process is a destructive implantation to form lattice effects/trap centers. No defect repair process is carried out after the implantation process is performed. The implants can reside at the isolation structures or in the substrate under the isolation structures. Dark leakage and crosstalk are thus suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 8673668
    Abstract: When forming critical threshold adjusting semiconductor alloys and/or strain-inducing embedded semiconductor materials in sophisticated semiconductor devices, at least the corresponding etch processes may be monitored efficiently on the basis of mechanically gathered profile measurement data by providing an appropriately designed test structure. Consequently, sophisticated process sequences performed on bulk semiconductor devices may be efficiently monitored and/or controlled by means of the mechanically obtained profile measurement data without significant delay. For example, superior uniformity upon providing a threshold adjusting semiconductor alloy in sophisticated high-k metal gate electrode structures for non-SOI devices may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Kronholz, Maciej Wiatr, Rainer Giedigkeit
  • Patent number: 8673677
    Abstract: A reflective film including Ag of an Ag alloy is patterned in a uniform thickness without decreasing reflectivity. The reflective film is formed on the entire surface of a first insulating film by sputtering, vacuum deposition or the like, and a barrier metal film having a given pattern is formed on the reflective film by a lift-off method. The reflective film is wet etched using a silver etching liquid. The barrier metal film is not wet etched by the silver etching liquid, and therefore functions as a mask, and the reflective film in a region on which the barrier metal film has been formed remains not etched. As a result, the reflective film having a desired patter can uniformly be formed on the first insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Totani, Masashi Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8674461
    Abstract: The invention provides combination semiconductor and plasma devices, including transistors and phototransistors. A preferred embodiment hybrid plasma semiconductor device has active solid state semiconductor regions; and a plasma generated in proximity to the active solid state semiconductor regions. Devices of the invention are referred to as hybrid plasma-semiconductor devices, in which a plasma, preferably a microplasma, cooperates with conventional solid state semiconductor device regions to influence or perform a semiconducting function, such as that provided by a transistor. The invention provides a family of hybrid plasma electronic/photonic devices having properties previously unavailable. In transistor devices of the invention, a low temperature, glow discharge is integral to the hybrid transistor. Example preferred devices include hybrid BJT and MOSFET devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Paul A. Tchertchian, Clark J. Wagner, J. Gary Eden
  • Patent number: 8674362
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment may include a substrate, an insulating layer on the substrate, and a pixel electrode including a transparent conductive layer on the insulating layer. A portion of a surface of the insulating layer contacting the transparent conductive layer has a plurality of recessed holes formed by etching with an etchant into an interface between the transparent conductive layer of the pixel electrode and the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Kim, Jong-Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 8669130
    Abstract: A fringe field switching (FFS) liquid crystal display (LCD) device which uses an organic insulating layer and consumes less power, in which film quality of an upper layer of a low temperature protective film is changed to improve undercut within a pad portion contact hole, and a method for fabricating the same is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: KyoungJin Nam, SeungRyull Park, KyungMo Son, JiHye Lee
  • Patent number: 8669598
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor and a photo detector are disclosed. The photo detector of the present invention configured to absorb light can include: a light-absorbing part configured to absorb light by being formed in a floated structure; an oxide film being in contact with one surface of the light-absorbing part; a source being in contact with one side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; a drain facing the source so as to be in contact with the other side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; and a channel interposed between the source and the drain and configured to form flow of an electric current between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8669599
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor and a photo detector are disclosed. The photo detector of the present invention configured to absorb light can include: a light-absorbing part configured to absorb light by being formed in a floated structure; an oxide film being in contact with one surface of the light-absorbing part; a source being in contact with one side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; a drain facing the source so as to be in contact with the other side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; and a channel interposed between the source and the drain and configured to form flow of an electric current between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8659099
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure includes: forming a first insulation layer above a substrate; forming a first micromechanical functional layer on the first insulation layer; forming multiple first trenches in the first micromechanical functional layer, which trenches extend as far as the first insulation layer; forming a second insulation layer on the first micromechanical functional layer, which second insulation layer fills up the first trenches; forming etch accesses in the second insulation layer, which etch accesses locally expose the first micromechanical functional layer; and etching the first micromechanical functional layer through the etch accesses, the filled first trenches and the first insulation layer acting as an etch stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Reinmuth, Heribert Weber
  • Patent number: 8659053
    Abstract: A semiconductor light detecting element includes: an InP substrate; and a semiconductor stacked structure on the InP substrate and including at least a light absorbing layer, wherein the light absorbing layer includes an InGaAsBi layer lattice-matched to the InP substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Sasahata, Eitaro Ishimura
  • Patent number: 8658452
    Abstract: A method of providing microelectromechanical structures (MEMS) that are compatible with silicon CMOS electronics is provided. The method providing for processes and manufacturing sequences limiting the maximum exposure of an integrated circuit upon which the MEMS is manufactured to below 350° C., and potentially to below 250° C., thereby allowing direct manufacturing of the MEMS devices onto electronics, such as Si CMOS circuits. The method further providing for the provisioning of MEMS devices with multiple non-conductive structural layers such as silicon carbide separated with small lateral gaps. Such silicon carbide structures offering enhanced material properties, increased environmental and chemical resilience whilst also allowing novel designs to be implemented taking advantage of the non-conductive material of the structural layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
    Inventors: Mourad El-Gamal, Frederic Nabki, Paul-Vahe Cicek
  • Patent number: 8652864
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes an element isolation insulating film electrically isolating pixels on the surface of a well region; a first isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the element isolation insulating film; and a second isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the first isolation diffusion layer, wherein a charge accumulation region is disposed in the well region surrounded by the first and second isolation diffusion layers, the inner peripheral part of the first isolation diffusion layer forms a projecting region, an impurity having a conductivity type of the first isolation diffusion layer and an impurity having a conductivity type of the charge accumulation region are mixed in the projecting region, and a part of the charge accumulation region between the charge accumulation region and the second isolation diffusion layer is abutted or close to the second isolation diffusion layer under the projecting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Tatani, Hideshi Abe, Masanori Ohashi, Atsushi Masagaki, Atsuhiko Yamamoto, Masakazu Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8652869
    Abstract: A method of roughening a substrate surface includes forming an opening in a protection film formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, performing a first etching process using an acid solution by utilizing the protection film as a mask so as to form a first concave under the opening and its vicinity area, performing an etching process by using the protection film as a mask so as to remove an oxide film formed on a surface of the first concave, performing anisotropic etching by using the protection film as a mask so as to form a second concave under the opening and its vicinity area, and removing the protection film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nishimura, Shigeru Matsuno, Daisuke Niinobe
  • Patent number: 8648288
    Abstract: Pixels, imagers and related fabrication methods are described. The described methods result in cross-talk reduction in imagers and related devices by generating depletion regions. The devices can also be used with electronic circuits for imaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Bedabrata Pain, Thomas J Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8642994
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) array includes a substrate with an array having a plurality of LED chips thereon, a dielectric layer, a plug, and a conductive connection layer. Each of the LED chips is isolated from another LED chip adjacent thereto by a trench. The dielectric layer covers a surface of the substrate exposed by the trench and sidewalls and partial surfaces of the LED chips adjacent to the trench. The plug fills the trench. The conductive connection layer is disposed over the plug and the dielectric layer to connect the LED chips with the LED chips adjacent thereto. Radiation emitted from one of the LED chips can be reflected by the dielectric layer and the plug, and finally reflected and output from a side of the LED chip not adjacent to the trench, thereby not affecting the adjacent LED chip and being absorbed by it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Fei Fong, Der-Lin Hsia
  • Patent number: 8643128
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Incorporation
    Inventor: Chuan Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8643125
    Abstract: A structure and a process for a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based sensor are provided. The structure for a MEMS-based sensor includes a substrate chip. A first insulating layer covers a top surface of the substrate chip. A device layer is disposed on a top surface of the first insulating layer. The device layer includes a periphery region and a sensor component region. The periphery region and a sensor component region have an air trench therebetween. The component region includes an anchor component and a moveable component. A second insulating layer is disposed on a top surface of the device layer, bridging the periphery region and a portion of the anchor component. A conductive pattern is disposed on the second insulating layer, electrically connecting to the anchor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Lung-Tai Chen, Shih-Chieh Lin, Yu-Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 8642370
    Abstract: A process of forming a MEMS device with a device cavity underlapping an overlying dielectric layer stack having an etchable sublayer over an etch-resistant lower portion, including: etching through at least the etchable sublayer of the overlying dielectric layer stack in an access hole to expose a lateral face of the etchable sublayer, covering exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer by protective material, and subsequently performing a cavity etch. A cavity etch mask may cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, protective sidewalls may be formed by an etchback process to cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer may be recessed by an isotropic etch, than isolated by a reflow operation which causes edges of an access hole etch mask to drop and cover the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ricky Alan Jackson, Karen Hildegard Ralston Kirmse, Kandis Meinel
  • Patent number: 8637339
    Abstract: An improved diode energy converter for chemical kinetic electron energy transfer is formed using nanostructures and includes identifiable regions associated with chemical reactions isolated chemically from other regions in the converter, a region associated with an area that forms energy barriers of the desired height, a region associated with tailoring the boundary between semiconductor material and metal materials so that the junction does not tear apart, and a region associated with removing heat from the semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Neokismet L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Zuppero, Jawahar M. Gidwani
  • Patent number: 8637867
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device and an organic electro-luminescence display device having the same are provided. The organic electro-luminescence display device includes an electrostatic discharge device including a metal pattern having an island shape on a substrate, an insulating layer on the metal pattern, a semiconductor pattern on the insulating layer, the semiconductor pattern corresponding to the metal pattern, a first electrode overlapping one end of the semiconductor pattern, and a second electrode overlapping the other end of the semiconductor pattern, and spaced from the first electrode, thereby preventing a current leakage, a signal distortion and a signal cross-talk to improve the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee Dong Choi
  • Patent number: 8633047
    Abstract: The present sensor chip comprises a substrate. A plurality of electrode elements is arranged at a first level on the substrate with at least one gap between neighbouring electrode elements. A metal structure is arranged at a second level on the substrate, wherein the second level is different from the first level. The metal structure at least extends over an area of the second level that is defined by a projection of the at least one gap towards the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sensirion AG
    Inventors: Réne Hummel, Ralph Steiner-Vanha, Ulrich Bartsch
  • Patent number: 8629423
    Abstract: In the present invention, one or more inventive designs and techniques allow formation of high speed complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process compatible tunneling devices that are formed on low dielectric loss sheet-substrates (such as silicon or germanium for infrared or quartz and sapphire for visible or near infrared) having the first and the second smooth planar surfaces and an intermediate surface in the form of a hole, or slit, or a side edge, which extends between and connects the first and second surfaces, so that deposited from opposite sides of the sheet-substrate the first metal layer followed by its oxidation or nanometer thickness tunneling dielectric coating and the second metal layer have an overlapped coupled area within the intermediate surface, thus forming a non-planar metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunneling junction of low capacitance and high cut-off frequency, which is capable to operate at room temperature at terahertz, infrared, and even optical frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Nikolai Kislov
  • Patent number: 8628990
    Abstract: A photodetector is formed in a front surface of a substrate. The substrate is thinned from a back surface of the substrate. A plurality of dopants is introduced into the thinned substrate from the back surface. The plurality of dopants in the thinned substrate is annealed. An anti-reflective layer is deposited over the back surface of the thinned substrate. A micro lens is formed over the anti-reflective layer. At least one ultraviolet (UV) radiation treatment is performed after at least one of the preceding steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ta Wu, Sheng-Chieh Chiao, Yeur-Luen Tu, Chia-Shiung Tsai, Shuang-Ji Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140009215
    Abstract: Touch sensing systems comprising bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys and methods of making touch sensing arrays and electronic devices containing touch sensitive screens that include arrays containing bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys. The bulk-solidifying amorphous alloy substrates have select areas of crystalline and amorphous alloy providing for discrete areas of conductivity and resistivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER D. PREST, Matthew S. Scott, Stephen P. Zadesky, Dermot J. Stratton, Joseph C. Poole
  • Patent number: 8624294
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for providing optical power to a semiconductor chip. An active semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed toward a front side of the semiconductor chip. The active semiconductor layer comprises one or more integrated circuit devices. A photovoltaic semiconductor layer of the semiconductor chip is disposed between the active semiconductor layer and a back side of the semiconductor chip. The back side of the semiconductor chip is opposite the front side of the semiconductor chip. The photovoltaic semiconductor layer converts electromagnetic radiation to electric power. One or more conductive pathways between the photovoltaic semiconductor layer and the active semiconductor layer provide the electric power from the photovoltaic semiconductor layer to the one or more integrated circuit devices of the active semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Kline