And Patterning Of Conductive Layer Patents (Class 438/669)
  • Patent number: 8273634
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate includes forming first and second spaced features over a substrate. The first spaced features have elevationally outermost regions which are different in composition from elevationally outermost regions of the second spaced features. The first and second spaced features alternate with one another. Every other first feature is removed from the substrate and pairs of immediately adjacent second features are formed which alternate with individual of remaining of the first features. After such act of removing, the substrate is processed through a mask pattern comprising the pairs of immediately adjacent second features which alternate with individual of the remaining of the first features. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Anton deVilliers
  • Patent number: 8273591
    Abstract: Segmented semiconductor nanowires are manufactured by removal of material from a layered structure of two or more semiconductor materials in the absence of a template. The removal takes place at some locations on the surface of the layered structure and continues preferentially along the direction of a crystallographic axis, such that nanowires with a segmented structure remain at locations where little or no removal occurs. The interface between different segments can be perpendicular to or at angle with the longitudinal direction of the nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Harold J. Hovel, Qiang Huang, Xiaoyan Shao, James Vichiconti, George F. Walker
  • Patent number: 8263494
    Abstract: A method for patterning a thin film photovoltaic panel on a substrate characterized by a compaction parameter. The method includes forming molybdenum material overlying the substrate and forming a first plurality of patterns in the molybdenum material to configure a first patterned structure having a first inter-pattern spacing. Additionally, the method includes forming a precursor material comprising at least copper bearing species and indium bearing species overlying the first patterned structure. Then the substrate including the precursor material is subjected to a thermal processes to form at least an absorber structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Stion Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Patterson
  • Patent number: 8258496
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device including: a semiconductor substrate on which a circuit is formed; a plurality of functional device arrays stacked on the semiconductor substrate; and vertical wirings so disposed outside of the functional device arrays as to couple the signal lines of the functional device arrays to the circuit, wherein the vertical wirings include multi-layered metal pieces, each layer of which has a plurality of the metal pieces dispersedly arranged in a stripe-shaped contact trench formed on an interlayer insulating film in the elongated direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Haruki Toda, Akiko Nara
  • Patent number: 8258041
    Abstract: A method of fabricating metal-bearing structures in an integrated circuit such as metal-polysilicon capacitors using conductive metal compounds. Defects due to organometallic polymers formed during the etch of a hard mask material are minimized by using a process that includes a plasma etch for the hard mask that achieves a predominantly chemical character using a fluorine-based etch chemistry. Using a low-temperature liquid-phase strip of the hard mask photoresist instead of an ash prevents further cross-linking of polymers formed during the plasma etch. Etching the metal-bearing material using a hot fully-concentrated mixture of ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide allows short etch times that are particularly shortened for tantalum nitride films deposited with a nitrogen concentration of about 30 percent or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Srinivas Raghavan, Kalyan Cherukuri, Thomas E. Lillibridge, Richard A. Faust
  • Patent number: 8258006
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes a carrier and multiple semiconductor substrates stacked and interconnected on the carrier. The carrier includes conductive members bonded to corresponding conductive openings on the semiconductor substrates. The component can also include terminal contacts on the carrier in electrical communication with the conductive members, and an outer member for protecting the semiconductor substrates. A method for fabricating the component includes the steps of providing the carrier with the conductive members, and providing the semiconductor substrates with the conductive openings. The method also includes the step of aligning and placing the conductive openings on the conductive members, and then bonding the conductive members to the conductive openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan G. Wood
  • Patent number: 8247302
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate includes forming spaced first features and spaced second features over a substrate. The first and second features alternate with one another and are spaced relative one another. Width of the spaced second features is laterally trimmed to a greater degree than any lateral trimming of width of the spaced first features while laterally trimming width of the spaced second features. After laterally trimming of the second features, spacers are formed on sidewalls of the spaced first features and on sidewalls of the spaced second features. The spacers are of some different composition from that of the spaced first features and from that of the spaced second features. After forming the spacers, the spaced first features and the spaced second features are removed from the substrate. The substrate is processed through a mask pattern comprising the spacers. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Anton deVilliers
  • Patent number: 8246917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoscale or microscale particle for encapsulation and delivery of materials or substances, including, but not limited to, cells, drugs, tissue, gels and polymers contained within the particle, with subsequent release of the therapeutic materials in situ, methods of fabricating the particle by folding a 2D precursor into the 3D particle, and the use of the particle in in-vivo or in-vitro applications The particle can be in any polyhedral shape and its surfaces can have either no perforations or nano/microscale perforations The particle is coated with a biocompatible metal, e g gold, or polymer e g parvlene, layer and the surfaces and hinges of the particle are made of any metal or polymer combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: David H. Gracias, Timothy Gar-Ming Leong, Hongke Ye
  • Publication number: 20120204950
    Abstract: The invention provides processes for the manufacture of conductive transparent films and electronic or optoelectronic devices comprising same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: YISSUM RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
    Inventors: Shlomo Magdassi, Michael Grouchko, Michael Layani
  • Patent number: 8241992
    Abstract: Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Maxime Darnon, Qinghuang Lin, Anthony D. Lisi, Satyanarayana V. Nitta
  • Patent number: 8242603
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of memory bits including IC identification information and a plurality of alternating metal and via layers thereabove. The IC structure includes a bond pad layer formed over a top one of the metal layers. The bond pad layer includes a plurality of pins connected to respective ones of the plurality of memory bits through the metal and via layers, at least one first pad connected to a higher voltage power supply rail and at least one second pad is connected to a lower voltage power supply rail. The bond pad layer has a plurality of circuit segments therein that each connects a respective one of the plurality of pins to either the at least one first pad or the at least one second pad for programming the IC identification information into the memory bit corresponding to that pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Check, Edward B. Harris, Lyle K. Mantz, II, Richard R. Kiser, Patricia J. Leith
  • Patent number: 8236689
    Abstract: A method for applying a predetermined structure of a structural material to a semiconductor element. The method includes the following steps: A) partially covering a surface of the semiconductor element with a masking layer, B) applying a film of a structural material to the masking layer and to the surface of the semiconductor element in the zones that are devoid of the masking layer and C) removing the masking layer together with the structural material present on the masking layer. The method according to the invention provides that between process steps B and C, the film of structural material is partially removed in a process step B2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Schultz-Wittmann, Filip Granek, Andreas Grohe
  • Patent number: 8236259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoscale or microscale container for encapsulation and delivery of materials or substances, including, but not limited to, cells, drugs, tissue, gels and polymers contained within the container, with subsequent release of the therapeutic materials in situ, methods of fabricating the container by folding a 2D precursor into the 3D container, and the use of the container in in-vivo or in-vitro applications. The container can be in any polyhedral shape and its surfaces can have either no perforations or nano/microscale perforations. The container is coated with a biocompatible metal, e.g. gold, or polymer, e.g. parylene, layer and the surfaces and hinges of the container are made of any metal or polymer combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: David H. Gracias, Barjor Gimi, Zaver M Bhujwalla
  • Patent number: 8236604
    Abstract: A metal grid contact and dielectric pattern on a layer requiring conductive contact in a photovoltaic device. The invention includes, in one aspect, forming a metal film; forming an etch resist over the metal film by, e.g., directly writing and in-situ curing the etch resist using, e.g., ink-jetting or screen-printing; etching the metal film leaving the resist pattern and a metal grid contact pattern under the etch resist intact; forming a dielectric layer over the etch resist; and removing the resist pattern and the dielectric over the etch resist, leaving a substantially co-planar metal grid contact and dielectric pattern. The metal grid contact pattern may form the front and/or back contact electrode of a solar cell; and the dielectric layer may be an optical reflection or antireflection layer. The layer requiring contact may be multifunctional providing its own passivation, such that passivation is substantially not required in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: TetraSun, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Schultz-Wittmann, Douglas Crafts, Denis DeCeuster, Adrian Turner
  • Patent number: 8236670
    Abstract: A method of applying a pattern of metal, metal oxide, and/or semiconductor material on a substrate, a pattern created by that method, and uses of that pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Deutschland GmbH, Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Jurina Wessels, Akio Yasuda, Zoi Karipidou, Akos Schreiber, Marc Riedel, Daniel Schwaab, Dirk Mayer, Andreas Offenhaeusser
  • Publication number: 20120193792
    Abstract: Methods of forming conductive pattern structures form an insulating interlayer on a substrate that is partially etched to form a first trench extending to both end portions of a cell block. The insulating interlayer is also partially etched to form a second trench adjacent to the first trench, and a third trench extending to the both end portions of the cell block. The second trench has a disconnected shape at a middle portion of the cell block. A seed copper layer is formed on the insulating interlayer. Inner portions of the first, second and third trenches are electroplated with a copper layer. The copper layer is polished to expose the insulating interlayer to form first and second conductive patterns in the first and second trenches, respectively, and a first dummy conductive pattern in the third trench. Related conductive pattern structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Hei-Seung Kim, In-Sun Park, Gil-Heyun Choi, Ji-Soon Park, Jong-Myeong Lee, Jong-Won Hong
  • Patent number: 8232203
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a memory device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a number of memory sectors on the substrate, wherein each of the memory sectors is coupled to an adjacent one via a first diffused region in the substrate and is coupled to another adjacent one via at least one second diffused region in the substrate, forming a first dielectric layer on the memory sectors, forming a first conductive structure through the first dielectric layer to the first diffused region, and at least one second conductive structure through the first dielectric layer to the at least one second diffused region, forming a patterned first mask layer on the first dielectric layer, the first conductive structure and the at least one second conductive structure, the patterned first mask layer exposing the first conductive structure, and etching back the first conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20120187970
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device is disclosed. A design description of the electronic device is generated using one or more computer aided design tools. Physical device data are generated that represent a physical description of the electronic device, which includes data determining connection points for connecting the electronic device to one or more external circuits. A physical embodiment of the electronic device is produced in accordance with the physical device data. Physical test member data is determined that represents conductors and contact points of a test member for testing the electronic device. The test member is produced in accordance with the test member data. The electronic device is tested with the test member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: J. Lynn Saunders, Alan R. Loudermilk
  • Publication number: 20120190194
    Abstract: Method and systems provide growth of polymer structures at a high rate in a selective manner. In various embodiments, the method or system can expose the growth site to a polymer source and growing a polymer tube at a rate of at least 80 micrometer per hour at the growth site. The method or system can provide selectivity by providing a growth site on a substrate by patterning a metal, such as copper, that provides a seed site for the polymer. Non-selected sites can be coated with a polymer growth inhibitor, such as polyimide or silicon nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Eyal Bar-sadeh, Nuriel Amir, Alexander Ripp, Yakov Shor, Dror Horvitz
  • Patent number: 8227340
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically conductive connection between a first surface of a semiconductor substrate and a second surface of the semiconductor substrate includes producing a hole, forming an electrically conductive layer that includes tungsten, removing the electrically conductive layer from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, filling the hole with copper and thinning the semiconductor substrate. The hole is produced from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the semiconductor substrate. The electrically conductive layer is removed from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the electrically conductive layer remains at least with reduced thickness in the hole. The semiconductor substrate is thinned starting from a surface, which is an opposite surface of the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, to obtain the second surface of the semiconductor substrate with the hole being uncovered at the second surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Uwe Seidel, Thorsten Obernhuber, Albert Birner, Georg Ehrentraut
  • Publication number: 20120184099
    Abstract: A method for making conductive traces and interconnects on a surface of a substrate includes, for an embodiment, forming a dielectric or polymer layer on the surface of the substrate, forming a seed layer of an electrically conductive material on the dielectric or polymer layer, patterning a photoresist on the seed layer, forming the conductive traces on the patterned photoresist and seed layer, removing the photoresist from the substrate, and irradiating the surface of the substrate with a fluence of laser light effective to ablate the seed layer from areas of the substrate surface exclusive of the conductive traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Tamarack Scientific Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Souter
  • Patent number: 8222636
    Abstract: To provide a display device which can be manufactured with higher efficiency in the use of material through a simplified manufacturing process, and a method for manufacturing the display device. Another object is to provide a technique by which patterns of a wiring the like which constitutes the display device can be formed to a desired shape with good control. In a method for forming a pattern according to the present invention, a mask is formed over a light-transmitting substrate; a first region including a photocatalyst is formed over the substrate and the mask; the photocatalyst is irradiated with light through the substrate to modify a part of the first region; a second region is formed; and a composition containing a pattern forming material is discharged to the second region, thus, a pattern is formed. The mask does not transmit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gen Fujii
  • Patent number: 8216937
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a display device. The method includes providing a substrate in which a display region and a pad region formed around the display region are defined, forming a conductive layer on the substrate, forming a mask pattern by rolling a roller on the conductive layer, and patterning the conductive layer using the mask pattern to form a line in the display region and a pad in the pad region. The pad is formed of a pattern having a second width corresponding to a first width of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn Gyoung Chang, Nam Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 8216939
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming openings. For instance, a construction may have a material over a plurality of electrically conductive lines. A plurality of annular features may be formed over the material, with the annular features crossing the lines. A patterned mask may be formed over the annular features, with the patterned mask leaving segments of the annular features exposed through a window in the patterned mask. The exposed segments of the annular features may define a plurality of openings, and such openings may be transferred into the material to form openings extending to the electrically conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sipani, Baosuo Zhou, Ming-Chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 8216938
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a partition line pattern and a partition pad pattern connected to an end part of the partition line pattern over the semiconductor substrate. Spacer insulation layers are formed at sidewalls of the partition line pattern and the partition pad pattern. A gap-filling layer is formed between the spacer insulation layers. A first cutting mask pattern is formed to expose a connecting part between the partition line pattern and the partition pad pattern. The partition line pattern and the gap-filling layer adjacent to the spacer insulation layer are removed using the first cutting mask pattern as a mask. A second cutting mask pattern including a first pattern and a second pattern are formed. The spacer insulation layer is removed using the second cutting mask pattern as a mask to form a gate trench in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Lyoung Lee, Jin Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8216888
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a substrate including a first active region and a second active region; forming a gate electrode layer over the substrate; and etching the gate electrode layer. The remaining portions of the gate electrode layer include a first gate strip and a second gate strip substantially parallel to each other; and a sacrificial strip unparallel to, and interconnecting, the first gate strip and the second gate strip. The sacrificial strip is between the first active region and the second active region. The method further includes forming a mask layer covering portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip, wherein the sacrificial strip and portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip are exposed through an opening in the mask layer; and etching the sacrificial strip and the portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Harry Chuang, Kong-Beng Thei
  • Publication number: 20120168955
    Abstract: An integrated circuit pattern comprises a set of lines of material having X and Y direction portions. The X and Y direction portions have first and second pitches, the second pitch being larger, such as at least 3 times larger, than the first pitch. The X direction portions are parallel and the Y direction portions are parallel. The end regions of the Y direction portions comprise main line portions and offset portions. The offset portions comprise offset elements spaced apart from and electrically connected to the main line portions. The offset portions define contact areas for subsequent pattern transferring procedures. A multiple patterning method, for use during integrated circuit processing procedures, provides contact areas for subsequent pattern transferring procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 8212234
    Abstract: Nanosized filamentary carbon structures (CNTs) nucleating over a catalyzed surface may be grown in an up-right direction reaching a second surface, spaced from the first surface, without the need of applying any external voltage source bias. The growth process may be inherently self-stopping, upon reaching a significant population of grown CNTs on the second surface. A gap between the two surfaces may be defined for CNT devices being simultaneously fabricated by common integrated circuit integration techniques. The process includes finding that for separation gaps of up to a hundred or more nanometers, a difference between the respective work functions of the materials delimiting the gap space, for example, different metallic materials or a doped semiconductor of different dopant concentration or type, may produce an electric field intensity orienting the growth of nucleated CNTs from the surface of one of the materials toward the surface of the other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Danilo Mascolo, Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua
  • Patent number: 8211789
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a bump structure having a reinforcement member is disclosed. First, a substrate including pads and a passivation layer is provided. The passivation layer has first openings, and each first opening exposes a portion of the corresponding pad respectively. Next, an under ball metal (UBM) material layer is formed on the substrate to cover the passivation layer and the pads exposed by the passivation layer. Bumps are formed on the UBM material layer and the lower surface of each bump is smaller than that of the opening. Each reinforcement member formed on the UBM material layer around each bump contacts with each bump, and the material of the reinforcement member is a polymer. The UBM material layer is patterned to form UBM layers and the lower surface of each UBM layer is larger than that of each corresponding opening. Hence, the bump has a planar upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: ChipMOS Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Tang Huang
  • Publication number: 20120164828
    Abstract: A strengthened semiconductor die substrate and package are disclosed. The substrate may include contact fingers formed with nonlinear edges. Providing a nonlinear contour to the contact finger edges reduces the mechanical stress exerted on the semiconductor die which would otherwise occur with straight edges to the contact fingers. The substrate may additionally or alternatively include plating traces extending at an angle from the contact fingers. Extending at an angle, at least the ends of the plating traces at the edge of the substrate are covered beneath a lid in which the semiconductor package is encased. Thus, when in use with a host device, contact between the ends of the plating traces beneath the lid and contact pins of the host device is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Hem Takiar, Cheeman Yu, Ken Jian Ming Wang, Chin-Tien Chiu, Han-Shiao Chen, Chih-Chin Liao
  • Publication number: 20120161293
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate having a first lateral dimension is combined with a flexible film piece having a second lateral dimension by arranging the semiconductor substrate in a recess of the film piece. The semiconductor substrate has circuit structures produced using lithography process steps. After the semiconductor substrate has been arranged in the recess of the film piece, a patterned layer of an electrically conductive material is produced above the semiconductor substrate and the film piece using lithography process steps. The patterned layer extends from the semiconductor substrate up to the flexible film piece and forms a number of electrically conductive contact tracks between the semiconductor substrate and the film piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Joachim N. Burghartz, Christine Harendt
  • Publication number: 20120153474
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit system includes: providing a substrate; forming a polysilicon layer over the substrate; forming an anti-reflective coating layer over the polysilicon layer; etching an anti-reflective coating pattern into the anti-reflective coating layer leaving an anti-reflective coating residue over the polysilicon layer; and etching the anti-reflective coating residue with an etchant gas mixture comprising hydrogen bromide, chlorine, and oxygen to remove the anti-reflective coating residue for mitigating the formation of a polysilicon protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Xiang Hu, Helen Wang, Arifuzzaman (Arif) Sheikh, Habib Hichri, Richard Wise
  • Publication number: 20120149169
    Abstract: Openings are formed in first and second mask layers. Next, diameter of the opening in the second mask layer is enlarged so that the diameter of the opening in the second mask layer becomes larger by a length X than diameter of the opening in the first mask layer. Thereafter, mask material is formed into the opening in the second mask layer, to form a cavity with a diameter X within the opening in the second mask layer. There is formed a mask which includes the second mask layer and the mask material having therein opening including the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Mitsunari Sukekawa
  • Patent number: 8193091
    Abstract: The present invention includes a die pad; signal leads, ground connection leads connected to the die pad; a semiconductor chip including electrode pads for grounding; metal thin wires, and an encapsulating resin for encapsulating the die pad and the semiconductor chip and encapsulating the signal leads and the ground connection lead such that lower portions of the signal leads and the ground connection lead are exposed as external terminals. The ground connection lead is connected to the electrode pad for grounding, so that the resin-encapsulated semiconductor device is electrically stabilized. Furthermore, interference between high frequency signals passing through the signal leads can be suppressed by the die pad and the ground connection leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kawai, Toshiyuki Fukuda, Masanori Minamio, Noboru Takeuchi, Shuichi Ogata, Katsushi Tara, Tadayoshi Nakatsuka
  • Patent number: 8187927
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an LCD includes: providing a substrate with a thin film transistor (TFT) part defined thereon; forming a metallic film for a gate electrode on the substrate; etching the metallic film through a first printing process to form a gate electrode; sequentially forming a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a metallic film for source and drain electrodes on the substrate; selectively etching the metallic film for source and drain electrodes, the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer through a second printing process to form a gate insulating layer pattern, a preliminary active pattern and a metallic film pattern which are sequentially stacked such that the gate insulating layer pattern is over-etched from the side of the preliminary active pattern; forming an insulating layer on the substrate with the metallic film pattern; etching the insulating layer to expose the metallic film pattern; forming a transparent conductive film on the metallic film pattern and a remai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hee Nam, Nam-Kook Kim, Soon-Sung Yoo, Youn-Gyoung Chang
  • Patent number: 8183146
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a buried circuit structure includes providing a substrate having at least a trench therein, forming a conductive layer having a top lower than an opening of the trench in the trench, performing a selective metal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to form a metal layer having a top lower than the substrate in the trench, and forming a protecting layer filling the trench on the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Memory Company
    Inventors: Tai-Sheng Feng, Le-Tien Jung
  • Publication number: 20120115328
    Abstract: A method for making a mask for semiconductor manufacturing. The method includes providing a base layer, forming a conductive layer on the base layer, and forming a photoresist layer on the conductive layer. Additionally, the method includes exposing selectively the photoresist layer to an energy illumination, developing the photoresist layer by removing a first portion of the photoresist layer, and depositing a metal layer by an electroforming process. The electroforming process includes submerging the conductive layer into a chemical bath, and applying a deposition voltage across a negative electrode and a positive electrode. Moreover, the method includes removing a second portion of the photoresist layer, and removing a first portion of the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: HSIN CHIN CHEN
  • Patent number: 8168535
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase change memory device includes the use of first, second and third polishing processes. The first polishing process forms a first contact portion using a first sacrificial layer and the second polishing process forms a phase change material pattern using a second sacrificial layer. After removing the first and second sacrificial layers to expose resultant protruding structures of the first contact portion and the phase change material pattern, a third polishing process is used to polish the resultant protruding structures using an insulation layer as a polishing stopper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Soo Bae, Suk-Hun Choi, Won-Jun Lee, Joon-Sang Park
  • Patent number: 8168534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for fabricating nanoscale electrodes separated by a nanogap, wherein the gap size may be controlled with high precision using a self-aligning aluminum oxide mask, such that the gap width depends upon the thickness of the aluminum oxide mask. The invention also provides methods for using the nanoscale electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Jinyao Tang, Samuel Jonas Wind
  • Patent number: 8164185
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a substrate and a dielectric layer may be formed on the substrate. A multi-layered interconnection structure may be embedded in the dielectric layer. A plurality of bonding pads, which may be connected to an uppermost interconnection layer of the multi-layered interconnection structure, may be spaced apart in a first direction. A passivation layer may have a plurality of bonding pad openings that may be defined by a plurality of slits and respectively expose the bonding pads. The slits may overlap isolations of the bonding pads. Each of the slits may have an edge width that may be larger than a center width thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-woo Cho, Sang-hoon Park
  • Publication number: 20120091011
    Abstract: A biocompatible electrode formed from an integrated circuit, the electrode comprising: a semiconductor substrate; and an electrode layer at least partially comprising porous valve metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: University of Bath Research and Innovations Services
    Inventors: Anthony H.D. Graham, John Taylor, Chris R. Bowen, Jon Robbins
  • Patent number: 8158510
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is made by depositing an encapsulant material between first and second plates of a chase mold to form a molded substrate. A first conductive layer is formed over the molded substrate. A resistive layer is formed over the first conductive layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the resistive layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, first conductive layer, and molded substrate. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer, resistive layer, and first conductive layer. A third insulating layer is formed over the second insulating layer and second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the second conductive layer. The first conductive layer, resistive layer, first insulating layer, and second conductive layer constitute a MIM capacitor. The second conductive layer is wound to exhibit inductive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yaojian Lin
  • Publication number: 20120070984
    Abstract: In a method for forming an electrode structure in a display device, e.g. a source, drain or gate electrode or a pixel electrode, a photoactive conductive layer, which includes conductive material containing photoactive material, is formed above a substrate of the display device. The photoactive conductive layer is then patterned with a photo-mask and partially removed without the presence of a photo-resist to form the electrode structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Chung Tang, Yao Peng, Chia-Chun Yeh, Yao-Chou Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120049377
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming patterns on a semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device may include high-density patterns with a minimum size that may be less the resolution limit of a photolithography process, and may have a substrate including a memory cell region and an adjacent connection region, a plurality of first conductive lines extending from the memory cell region to the connection region in a first direction, a plurality of second conductive lines connected from respective first conductive lines to a plurality of pads having a width equal to twice the width of each of the first conductive lines. The method may include two levels of spacer formation to provide sub resolution line widths and spaces as well as selected multiples of the minimum line widths and spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Song-Yi Yang, Seung-pil Chung, Dong-hyun Kim, O-ik Kwon, Hong Cho
  • Publication number: 20120052650
    Abstract: The invention includes methods for selectively etching insulative material supports relative to conductive material. The invention can include methods for selectively etching silicon nitride relative to metal nitride. The metal nitride can be in the form of containers over a semiconductor substrate, with such containers having upwardly-extending openings with lateral widths of less than or equal to about 4000 angstroms; and the silicon nitride can be in the form of a layer extending between the containers. The selective etching can comprise exposure of at least some of the silicon nitride and the containers to Cl2 to remove the exposed silicon nitride, while not removing at least the majority of the metal nitride from the containers. In subsequent processing, the containers can be incorporated into capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Shea, Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Patent number: 8126297
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Patent number: 8120122
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern includes forming a first layer on a substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, depositing a multi-temperature phase-change material on the second layer, patterning the second layer using the multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask, reflowing the multi-temperature phase-change material, and patterning the first layer using the reflowed multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Jong Ho Limb
  • Publication number: 20120037954
    Abstract: A semiconductor power device with trenched contact having improved equal potential ring (EPR) structures for device die size shrinkage and yield enhancement are disclosed. The invented semiconductor power device comprising a termination area including an equal potential ring (EPR) formed with EPR contact metal plug penetrating through an insulation layer covering top surface of epitaxial layer and extended downward into an epitaxial layer. To prevent the semiconductor power device from EPR damage induced by die pick-up nozzle at assembly stage in prior art, some preferred embodiments of the present invention without having EPR front metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Fwu-Iuan Hshieh
  • Patent number: 8114712
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device package is provided. The method includes providing a laminate comprising a dielectric film disposed on a first metal layer, said laminate having a dielectric film outer surface and a first metal layer outer surface; forming a plurality of vias extending through the laminate according to a predetermined pattern; attaching one or more semiconductor device to the dielectric film outer surface such that the semiconductor device contacts one or more vias after attachment; disposing an electrically conductive layer on the first metal layer outer surface and on an inner surface of the plurality of vias to form an interconnect layer comprising the first metal layer and the electrically conductive layer; and patterning the interconnect according to a predetermined circuit configuration to form a patterned interconnect layer, wherein a portion of the patterned interconnect layer extends through one or more vias to form an electrical contact with the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Alan McConnelee, Arun Virupaksha Gowda
  • Publication number: 20120035684
    Abstract: Implantable stimulation devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a multiplexed multi-electrode component configured for neural stimulation. The multiplexed multi-electrode component includes two or more individually addressable satellite electrode structures electrically coupled to a common conductor. The satellite structures include a hermetically sealed integrated control circuit operatively coupled to one or more electrodes. Also provided are methods of manufacturing wherein the application of laser welding is avoided in forming the satellite electrode structures and an integrated control circuit thereof is thereby shielded from mechanical stress during satellite manufacture. Additionally provided are systems that include the devices of the invention, as well as methods of using the systems and devices in a variety of different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Todd Thompson, Mark Zdeblick, Angela Strand, Marc Jensen