Bell Semiconductor, LLC

United States of America

Back to Profile

1-100 of 321 for Bell Semiconductor, LLC Sort by
Query
Aggregations
Date
2024 1
2023 4
2021 2
2020 2
Before 2020 312
IPC Class
G06F 17/50 - Computer-aided design 83
H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device 35
H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate 34
H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements 22
H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS 20
See more
Status
Pending 3
Registered / In Force 318
Found results for  patents
  1     2     3     4        Next Page

1.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 18589774
Grant Number 12191309
Status In Force
Filing Date 2024-02-28
First Publication Date 2024-06-20
Grant Date 2025-01-07
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate

2.

METHOD TO CO-INTEGRATE SiGe AND Si CHANNELS FOR FINFET DEVICES

      
Application Number 18306524
Status Pending
Filing Date 2023-04-25
First Publication Date 2023-08-17
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks

3.

MULTI-FIN FINFET DEVICE INCLUDING EPITAXIAL GROWTH BARRIER ON OUTSIDE SURFACES OF OUTERMOST FINS AND RELATED METHODS

      
Application Number 18171914
Status Pending
Filing Date 2023-02-21
First Publication Date 2023-06-22
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FIN FET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

4.

Method to induce strain in FINFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 18157298
Grant Number 11948943
Status In Force
Filing Date 2023-01-20
First Publication Date 2023-05-25
Grant Date 2024-04-02
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate

5.

METHOD OF MAKING A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING A DUMMY GATE

      
Application Number 18068718
Status Pending
Filing Date 2022-12-20
First Publication Date 2023-04-20
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin mask layer on a semiconductor layer, forming a dummy gate over the fin mask layer, and forming source and drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed and the underlying fin mask layer is used to define a plurality of fins in the semiconductor layer. A gate is formed over the plurality of fins.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes

6.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 17365682
Grant Number 11610886
Status In Force
Filing Date 2021-07-01
First Publication Date 2021-10-21
Grant Date 2023-03-21
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

7.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 17093528
Grant Number 11587928
Status In Force
Filing Date 2020-11-09
First Publication Date 2021-02-25
Grant Date 2023-02-21
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions

8.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 16751036
Grant Number 11069682
Status In Force
Filing Date 2020-01-23
First Publication Date 2020-05-21
Grant Date 2021-07-20
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

9.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 16697103
Grant Number 10854606
Status In Force
Filing Date 2019-11-26
First Publication Date 2020-03-26
Grant Date 2020-12-01
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions

10.

Method to co-integrate SiGe and Si channels for finFET devices

      
Application Number 16426579
Grant Number 11670554
Status In Force
Filing Date 2019-05-30
First Publication Date 2019-09-12
Grant Date 2023-06-06
Owner Bell Semiconductor, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks

11.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 16049685
Grant Number 10580771
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-07-30
First Publication Date 2018-12-06
Grant Date 2020-03-03
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

12.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 16035441
Grant Number 10515965
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-07-13
First Publication Date 2018-11-15
Grant Date 2019-12-24
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions

13.

Self-aligned silicon germanium FinFET with relaxed channel region

      
Application Number 15884843
Grant Number 10256341
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-01-31
First Publication Date 2018-06-07
Grant Date 2019-04-09
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A self-aligned SiGe FinFET device features a relaxed channel region having a high germanium concentration. Instead of first introducing germanium into the channel and then attempting to relax the resulting strained film, a relaxed channel is formed initially to accept the germanium. In this way, a presence of germanium can be established without straining or damaging the lattice. Gate structures are patterned relative to intrinsic silicon fins, to ensure that the gates are properly aligned, prior to introducing germanium into the fin lattice structure. After aligning the gate structures, the silicon fins are segmented to elastically relax the silicon lattice. Then, germanium is introduced into the relaxed silicon lattice, to produce a SiGe channel that is substantially stress-free and also defect-free. Using the method described, concentration of germanium achieved in a structurally stable film can be increased to a level greater than 85%.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions

14.

Fully substrate-isolated FinFET transistor

      
Application Number 15873644
Grant Number 10170546
Status In Force
Filing Date 2018-01-17
First Publication Date 2018-05-24
Grant Date 2019-01-01
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel and the substrate during fabrication of the device. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. Forming such an insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. In an array of semiconducting fins made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material is removed thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material is then filled with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 31/072 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the PN heterojunction type
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks
  • H01L 21/3105 - After-treatment
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate

15.

Method to co-integrate SiGe and Si channels for finFET devices

      
Application Number 15813071
Grant Number 10340195
Status In Force
Filing Date 2017-11-14
First Publication Date 2018-03-08
Grant Date 2019-07-02
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks

16.

Method to form localized relaxed substrate by using condensation

      
Application Number 15489360
Grant Number 10068908
Status In Force
Filing Date 2017-04-17
First Publication Date 2017-08-03
Grant Date 2018-09-04
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming a localized, strained region of a substrate are described. Trenches may be formed at boundaries of a localized region of a substrate. An upper portion of sidewalls at the localized region may be covered with a covering layer, and a lower portion of the sidewalls at the localized region may not be covered. A converting material may be formed in contact with the lower portion of the localized region, and the substrate heated. The heating may introduce a chemical species from the converting material into the lower portion, which creates stress in the localized region. The methods may be used to form strained-channel finFETs.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 27/10 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including a plurality of individual components in a repetitive configuration
  • H01L 27/108 - Dynamic random access memory structures
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/423 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions not carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched

17.

Self-aligned silicon germanium FinFET with relaxed channel region

      
Application Number 15365640
Grant Number 09917194
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-11-30
First Publication Date 2017-03-23
Grant Date 2018-03-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Morin, Pierre

Abstract

A self-aligned SiGe FinFET device features a relaxed channel region having a high germanium concentration. Instead of first introducing germanium into the channel and then attempting to relax the resulting strained film, a relaxed channel is formed initially to accept the germanium. In this way, a presence of germanium can be established without straining or damaging the lattice. Gate structures are patterned relative to intrinsic silicon fins, to ensure that the gates are properly aligned, prior to introducing germanium into the fin lattice structure. After aligning the gate structures, the silicon fins are segmented to elastically relax the silicon lattice. Then, germanium is introduced into the relaxed silicon lattice, to produce a SiGe channel that is substantially stress-free and also defect-free. Using the method described, concentration of germanium achieved in a structurally stable film can be increased to a level greater than 85%.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group

18.

Fully substrate-isolated FinFET transistor

      
Application Number 15345250
Grant Number 09893147
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-11-07
First Publication Date 2017-02-23
Grant Date 2018-02-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel and the substrate during fabrication of the device. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. Forming such an insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. In an array of semiconducting fins made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material is removed thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material is then filled with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/01 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate comprising only passive thin-film or thick-film elements formed on a common insulating substrate
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks
  • H01L 21/3105 - After-treatment
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate

19.

Method of making a semiconductor device using a dummy gate

      
Application Number 15331714
Grant Number 09991351
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-10-21
First Publication Date 2017-02-09
Grant Date 2018-06-05
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin mask layer on a semiconductor layer, forming a dummy gate over the fin mask layer, and forming source and drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed and the underlying fin mask layer is used to define a plurality of fins in the semiconductor layer. A gate is formed over the plurality of fins.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes

20.

Method of using a sacrificial gate structure to make a metal gate FinFET transistor

      
Application Number 14755663
Grant Number 09548361
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-06-30
First Publication Date 2017-01-05
Grant Date 2017-01-17
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Morin, Pierre

Abstract

A self-aligned SiGe FinFET device features a relaxed channel region having a high germanium concentration. Instead of first introducing germanium into the channel and then attempting to relax the resulting strained film, a relaxed channel is formed initially to accept the germanium. In this way, a presence of germanium can be established without straining or damaging the lattice. Gate structures are patterned relative to intrinsic silicon fins, to ensure that the gates are properly aligned, prior to introducing germanium into the fin lattice structure. After aligning the gate structures, the silicon fins are segmented to elastically relax the silicon lattice. Then, germanium is introduced into the relaxed silicon lattice, to produce a SiGe channel that is substantially stress-free and also defect-free. Using the method described, concentration of germanium achieved in a structurally stable film can be increased to a level greater than 85%.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group

21.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 15209662
Grant Number 10062690
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-07-13
First Publication Date 2016-11-03
Grant Date 2018-08-28
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/76 - Unipolar devices
  • H01L 21/336 - Field-effect transistors with an insulated gate
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

22.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 15197509
Grant Number 10043805
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-06-29
First Publication Date 2016-10-20
Grant Date 2018-08-07
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions

23.

FinFET device having a partially dielectric isolated fin structure

      
Application Number 15169462
Grant Number 10199392
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-05-31
First Publication Date 2016-09-22
Grant Date 2019-02-05
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Sampson, Ronald K.
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/14 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy
  • H01L 27/12 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/28 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks
  • H01L 29/167 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form further characterised by the doping material
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes

24.

Method to form localized relaxed substrate by using condensation

      
Application Number 15084312
Grant Number 09660081
Status In Force
Filing Date 2016-03-29
First Publication Date 2016-07-21
Grant Date 2017-05-23
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming a localized, strained region of a substrate are described. Trenches may be formed at boundaries of a localized region of a substrate. An upper portion of sidewalls at the localized region may be covered with a covering layer, and a lower portion of the sidewalls at the localized region may not be covered. A converting material may be formed in contact with the lower portion of the localized region, and the substrate heated. The heating may introduce a chemical species from the converting material into the lower portion, which creates stress in the localized region. The methods may be used to form strained-channel finFETs.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group
  • H01L 29/786 - Thin-film transistors
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes

25.

Facet-free strained silicon transistor

      
Application Number 14983070
Grant Number 10134899
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-12-29
First Publication Date 2016-05-26
Grant Date 2018-11-20
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

The presence of a facet or a void in an epitaxially grown crystal indicates that crystal growth has been interrupted by defects or by certain material boundaries. Faceting can be suppressed during epitaxial growth of silicon compounds that form source and drain regions of strained silicon transistors. It has been observed that faceting can occur when epitaxial layers of certain silicon compounds are grown adjacent to an oxide boundary, but faceting does not occur when the epitaxial layer is grown adjacent to a silicon boundary or adjacent to a nitride boundary. Because epitaxial growth of silicon compounds is often necessary in the vicinity of isolation trenches that are filled with oxide, techniques for suppression of faceting in these areas are of particular interest. One such technique, presented herein, is to line the isolation trenches with SiN to provide a barrier between the oxide and the region in which epitaxial growth is intended.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group

26.

Method to co-integrate SiGe and Si channels for finFET devices

      
Application Number 14969393
Grant Number 09847260
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-12-15
First Publication Date 2016-04-21
Grant Date 2017-12-19
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks

27.

Method of making a semiconductor device using a dummy gate

      
Application Number 14976781
Grant Number 09905662
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-12-21
First Publication Date 2016-04-14
Grant Date 2018-02-27
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a fin mask layer on a semiconductor layer, forming a dummy gate over the fin mask layer, and forming source and drain regions on opposite sides of the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed and the underlying fin mask layer is used to define a plurality of fins in the semiconductor layer. A gate is formed over the plurality of fins.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes

28.

Method of making a semiconductor device using spacers for source/drain confinement

      
Application Number 14939729
Grant Number 10205022
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-11-12
First Publication Date 2016-03-03
Grant Date 2019-02-12
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Morin, Pierre

Abstract

A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first spacer for at least one gate stack on a first semiconductor material layer, and forming a respective second spacer for each of source and drain regions adjacent the at least one gate. Each second spacer has a pair of opposing sidewalls and an end wall coupled thereto. The method includes filling the source and drain regions with a second semiconductor material while the first and second spacers provide confinement.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions

29.

Method for the formation of a FinFET device having partially dielectric isolated fin structure

      
Application Number 14822959
Grant Number 09385051
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-08-11
First Publication Date 2015-12-03
Grant Date 2016-07-05
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Sampson, Ronald K.
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/28 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes

30.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 14748270
Grant Number 09419111
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-06-24
First Publication Date 2015-10-22
Grant Date 2016-08-16
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/336 - Field-effect transistors with an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer

31.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 14788737
Grant Number 09406783
Status In Force
Filing Date 2015-06-30
First Publication Date 2015-10-22
Grant Date 2016-08-02
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions

32.

Multi-layer strained channel FinFET

      
Application Number 14194215
Grant Number 09660080
Status In Force
Filing Date 2014-02-28
First Publication Date 2015-09-03
Grant Date 2017-05-23
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming a localized, strained region of a substrate are described. Trenches may be formed at boundaries of a localized region of a substrate. An upper portion of sidewalls at the localized region may be covered with a covering layer, and a lower portion of the sidewalls at the localized region may not be covered. A converting material may be formed in contact with the lower portion of the localized region, and the substrate heated. The heating may introduce a chemical species from the converting material into the lower portion, which creates stress in the localized region. The methods may be used to form strained-channel finFETs.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/225 - Diffusion of impurity materials, e.g. doping materials, electrode materials, into, or out of, a semiconductor body, or between semiconductor regionsRedistribution of impurity materials, e.g. without introduction or removal of further dopant using diffusion into, or out of, a solid from or into a solid phase, e.g. a doped oxide layer
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group
  • H01L 29/786 - Thin-film transistors
  • H01L 29/10 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode not carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes

33.

Method for the formation of a FinFET device having partially dielectric isolated Fin structure

      
Application Number 14097570
Grant Number 09136384
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-12-05
First Publication Date 2015-06-11
Grant Date 2015-09-15
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Sampson, Ronald Kevin

Abstract

A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions

34.

Fully substrate-isolated FinFET transistor

      
Application Number 14587872
Grant Number 09520393
Status In Force
Filing Date 2014-12-31
First Publication Date 2015-04-23
Grant Date 2016-12-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device can be prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel and the substrate. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device can be prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. The insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. If an array of semiconducting fins is made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material can be removed thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material can then be filled in with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate. The resulting FinFET device is fully substrate-isolated in both the gate region and the source/drain regions.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/01 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate comprising only passive thin-film or thick-film elements formed on a common insulating substrate
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/49 - Metal-insulator semiconductor electrodes

35.

Method to induce strain in finFET channels from an adjacent region

      
Application Number 14027758
Grant Number 09099559
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-09-16
First Publication Date 2015-03-19
Grant Date 2015-08-04
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Morin, Pierre
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming strained-channel finFETs are described. Fin structures for finFETs may be formed using two epitaxial layers of different lattice constants that are grown over a bulk substrate. A first thin, strained, epitaxial layer may be cut to form strain-relieved base structures for fins. The base structures may be constrained in a strained-relieved state. Fin structures may be epitaxially grown in a second layer over the base structures. The constrained base structures can cause higher amounts of strain to form in the epitaxially-grown fins than would occur for non-constrained base structures.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/70 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in or on a common substrate or of specific parts thereofManufacture of integrated circuit devices or of specific parts thereof
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device

36.

Transistor having a stressed body

      
Application Number 14494979
Grant Number 09123809
Status In Force
Filing Date 2014-09-24
First Publication Date 2015-01-08
Grant Date 2015-09-01
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A transistor includes a body and a semiconductor region configured to stress a portion of the body. For example, stressing a channel of the transistor may increase the mobility of carriers in the channel, and thus may reduce the “on” resistance of the transistor. For example, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of a PFET may be doped to compressively stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of holes in the channel. Or, the substrate, source/drain regions, or both the substrate and source/drain regions of an NFET may be doped to tensile stress the channel so as to increase the mobility of electrons in the channel.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/76 - Unipolar devices
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 27/12 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
  • H01L 21/266 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation using masks
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions

37.

System and method for variable frequency clock generation

      
Application Number 14046041
Grant Number 08933737
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-10-04
First Publication Date 2015-01-01
Grant Date 2015-01-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Chatterjee, Kallol
  • Agarwal, Nitin
  • Yousuf, Junaid
  • Gupta, Nitin
  • Dautriche, Pierre

Abstract

A variable frequency clock generator. In aspects, a clock generator includes a droop detector circuit configured to monitor a voltage supply to an integrated circuit. If the supply voltage falls below a specific threshold, a droop voltage flag may be set such that a frequency-locked loop is triggered into a droop voltage mode for handling the voltage droop at the supply voltage. In response, a current control signal that is input to an oscillator that generates a system clock signal is reduced by sinking current away from the current control signal to the oscillator. This results in an immediate reduction on the system clock frequency. Such a state remains until the voltage droop has dissipated when the current path is removed for sinking some of the current.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H03L 7/06 - Automatic control of frequency or phaseSynchronisation using a reference signal applied to a frequency- or phase-locked loop
  • H03L 7/095 - Details of the phase-locked loop concerning mainly the frequency- or phase-detection arrangement including the filtering or amplification of its output signal using a lock detector

38.

FinFET with multiple concentration percentages

      
Application Number 13931581
Grant Number 09000498
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-06-28
First Publication Date 2015-01-01
Grant Date 2015-04-07
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Morin, Pierre

Abstract

An apparatus of a semiconductor is provided wherein the apparatus comprises a substrate, a stack, and a fin. The substrate supports the stack and the substrate comprises a first material. The stack provides for the fin and the stack comprises: a strain induced in the stack via the substrate; the first material and a second material; and a plurality of concentrations of the second material with respect to the first material. The fin provides a source and a drain of a field effect transistor.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device

39.

Method to co-integrate SiGe and Si channels for finFET devices

      
Application Number 13907613
Grant Number 09685380
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-05-31
First Publication Date 2014-12-04
Grant Date 2017-06-20
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 27/092 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate complementary MIS field-effect transistors
  • H01L 21/3065 - Plasma etchingReactive-ion etching
  • H01L 21/308 - Chemical or electrical treatment, e.g. electrolytic etching using masks

40.

Method of making a semiconductor device using spacers for source/drain confinement

      
Application Number 13905586
Grant Number 09219133
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-05-30
First Publication Date 2014-12-04
Grant Date 2015-12-22
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Morin, Pierre

Abstract

A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first spacer for at least one gate stack on a first semiconductor material layer, and forming a respective second spacer for each of source and drain regions adjacent the at least one gate. Each second spacer has a pair of opposing sidewalls and an end wall coupled thereto. The method includes filling the source and drain regions with a second semiconductor material while the first and second spacers provide confinement.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 21/02 - Manufacture or treatment of semiconductor devices or of parts thereof
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions

41.

Integration of shallow trench isolation and through-substrate vias into integrated circuit designs

      
Application Number 14251258
Grant Number 09613847
Status In Force
Filing Date 2014-04-11
First Publication Date 2014-08-07
Grant Date 2017-04-04
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Merchant, Sailesh M.
  • Osenbach, John

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an IC, comprising providing a substrate having a first side and a second opposite side, forming a STI opening in the first side of the substrate and forming a partial TSV opening in the first side of the substrate and extending the partial TSV opening. The extended partial TSV opening is deeper into the substrate than the STI opening. The method also comprises filling the STI opening with a first solid material and filling the extended partial TSV opening with a second solid material. Neither the STI opening, the partial TSV opening, nor the extended partial TSV opening penetrate an outer surface of the second side of the substrate. At least either: the STI opening and the partial TSV opening are formed simultaneously, or, the STI opening and the extended partial TSV opening are filled simultaneously.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/768 - Applying interconnections to be used for carrying current between separate components within a device
  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements

42.

Method of forming a fully substrate-isolated FinFET transistor

      
Application Number 13725528
Grant Number 08956942
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-12-21
First Publication Date 2014-06-26
Grant Date 2015-02-17
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel (fin) and the substrate during fabrication of the device. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. Forming such an insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. In an array of semiconducting fins made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material is removed, thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material is then filled with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/336 - Field-effect transistors with an insulated gate
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology
  • H01L 27/088 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind including field-effect components only the components being field-effect transistors with insulated gate

43.

Facet-free strained silicon transistor

      
Application Number 13692632
Grant Number 10134895
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-12-03
First Publication Date 2014-06-05
Grant Date 2018-11-20
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Liu, Qing

Abstract

The presence of a facet or a void in an epitaxially grown crystal indicates that crystal growth has been interrupted by defects or by certain material boundaries. Faceting can be suppressed during epitaxial growth of silicon compounds that form source and drain regions of strained silicon transistors. It has been observed that faceting can occur when epitaxial layers of certain silicon compounds are grown adjacent to an oxide boundary, but faceting does not occur when the epitaxial layer is grown adjacent to a silicon boundary or adjacent to a nitride boundary. Because epitaxial growth of silicon compounds is often necessary in the vicinity of isolation trenches that are filled with oxide, techniques for suppression of faceting in these areas are of particular interest. One such technique, presented herein, is to line the isolation trenches with SiN to provide a barrier between the oxide and the region in which epitaxial growth is intended.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/06 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/165 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group in different semiconductor regions
  • H01L 21/762 - Dielectric regions
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 29/16 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form
  • H01L 29/161 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the materials of which they are formed including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, only elements of Group IV of the Periodic System in uncombined form including two or more of the elements provided for in group

44.

FinFET device with isolated channel

      
Application Number 13691070
Grant Number 08759874
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-11-30
First Publication Date 2014-06-05
Grant Date 2014-06-24
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Loubet, Nicolas
  • Khare, Prasanna

Abstract

Despite improvements in FinFETs and strained silicon devices, transistors continue to suffer performance degradation as device dimensions shrink. These include, in particular, leakage of charge between the semiconducting channel and the substrate. An isolated channel FinFET device prevents channel-to-substrate leakage by inserting an insulating layer between the channel (fin) and the substrate. The insulating layer isolates the fin from the substrate both physically and electrically. To form the isolated FinFET device, an array of bi-layer fins can be grown epitaxially from the silicon surface, between nitride columns that provide localized insulation between adjacent fins. Then, the lower fin layer can be removed, while leaving the upper fin layer, thus yielding an interdigitated array of nitride columns and semiconducting fins suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the upper fin layer can then be filled in with oxide to isolate the array of fin channels from the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 31/0328 - Inorganic materials including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, semiconductor materials provided for in two or more of groups
  • H01L 31/0336 - Inorganic materials including, apart from doping materials or other impurities, semiconductor materials provided for in two or more of groups in different semiconductor regions, e.g. Cu2X/CdX hetero-junctions, X being an element of Group VI of the Periodic System
  • H01L 31/072 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the PN heterojunction type
  • H01L 31/109 - Devices sensitive to infrared, visible or ultraviolet radiation characterised by only one potential barrier or surface barrier the potential barrier being of the PN heterojunction type

45.

Multi-fin FINFET device including epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces of outermost fins and related methods

      
Application Number 13590756
Grant Number 09093556
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-08-21
First Publication Date 2014-02-27
Grant Date 2015-07-28
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A multi-fin FINFET device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor fins extending upwardly from the substrate and being spaced apart along the substrate. Each semiconductor fin may have opposing first and second ends and a medial portion therebetween, and outermost fins of the plurality of semiconductor fins may comprise an epitaxial growth barrier on outside surfaces thereof. The FINFET may further include at least one gate overlying the medial portions of the semiconductor fins, a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor source regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the first ends thereof, and a plurality of raised epitaxial semiconductor drain regions between the semiconductor fins adjacent the second ends thereof.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/76 - Unipolar devices
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/84 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices to produce devices, e.g. integrated circuits, each consisting of a plurality of components the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. being an insulating body
  • H01L 29/66 - Types of semiconductor device
  • H01L 29/78 - Field-effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
  • H01L 29/08 - Semiconductor bodies characterised by the shapes, relative sizes, or dispositions of the semiconductor regions with semiconductor regions connected to an electrode carrying current to be rectified, amplified, or switched and such electrode being part of a semiconductor device which comprises three or more electrodes
  • H01L 21/265 - Bombardment with wave or particle radiation with high-energy radiation producing ion implantation
  • H01L 29/417 - Electrodes characterised by their shape, relative sizes or dispositions carrying the current to be rectified, amplified or switched

46.

Semiconductor device with an inclined source/drain and associated methods

      
Application Number 13590548
Grant Number 09012999
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-08-21
First Publication Date 2014-02-27
Grant Date 2015-04-21
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Liu, Qing
  • Khare, Prasanna
  • Loubet, Nicolas

Abstract

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a channel region therein, a gate structure above the channel region, and source and drain regions on opposite sides of the gate structure. A respective contact is on each of the source and drain regions. At least one of the source and drain regions has an inclined upper contact surface with the respective contact. The inclined upper contact surface has at least a 50% greater area than would a corresponding flat contact surface.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/336 - Field-effect transistors with an insulated gate
  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS
  • H01L 21/70 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in or on a common substrate or of specific parts thereofManufacture of integrated circuit devices or of specific parts thereof
  • H01L 21/8234 - MIS technology

47.

Intelligent timing analysis and constraint generation GUI

      
Application Number 14010842
Grant Number 08863053
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-08-27
First Publication Date 2013-12-26
Grant Date 2014-10-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Dirks, Juergen
  • Fennell, Martin
  • Dinter, Matthias

Abstract

A system generally including a clock structure analysis tool, a static timing analysis tool and a waveform tool is disclosed. The clock structure analysis tool may be configured to generate a simplified clock structure for a clock signal in a complex clock structure in a design of a circuit. The static timing analysis tool may be configured to generate a plurality of results for a plurality of intermediate signals in the simplified clock structure in response to a static timing analysis of the design. The waveform tool may be configured to generate a first representation in a graphical user interface format of the intermediate signals and the results.

IPC Classes  ?

48.

Hierarchical design flow generator

      
Application Number 13971560
Grant Number 08683407
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-08-20
First Publication Date 2013-12-19
Grant Date 2014-03-25
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Rao, Vishwas M.
  • Parker, James C.

Abstract

A hierarchical design flow generator for designing integrated circuits is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hierarchical design flow generator includes: (1) a partitioner configured to partition a hierarchical design flow for designing an IC into a late design flow portion and an early design flow portion, (2) a timing budgeter configured to provide a timing budget for the IC design based on initial timing constraints and progressive time constraints generated from the late design flow portion and the early design flow portion and (3) a modeler configured to develop a model for a top level implementation of the IC design based on the timing budget and block implementations generated during the late design flow portion.

IPC Classes  ?

49.

Circuits and methods for efficient clock and data delay configuration for faster timing closure

      
Application Number 13627054
Grant Number 08595668
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-09-26
First Publication Date 2013-11-26
Grant Date 2013-11-26
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Soni, Anuj
  • Gudeangadi, Vinaya

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for designing integrated circuits using configurable delay cell (CDC) circuits that serve to expedite timing closure for an integrated circuit (IC) design by eliminating the need to iteratively repeat various design steps such as placement, signal distribution network synthesis, and routing. CDC circuits include footprint compatible circuits having different delay characteristics, which may be included as part of a standard cell library for designing integrated circuits. A CDC circuit can be used in an IC design to add a desired delay to a given clock path or data path, and then replaced with another footprint compatible CDC circuit to increase or decrease the delay in the given clock or data path to meet one or more timing requirements and achieve timing closure without having to repeat placement, signal distribution network synthesis or routing steps.

IPC Classes  ?

50.

Multi-pass routing to reduce crosstalk

      
Application Number 13467696
Grant Number 08607180
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-05-09
First Publication Date 2013-11-14
Grant Date 2013-12-10
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Soni, Anuj

Abstract

An integrated circuit (IC) or a block of an IC is routed. The signals of the netlist to be routed are grouped according the signal properties. A signal property may be the time or clock used to initiate the switching of the signal. The signals of each group are routed successively. This causes the signals of later groups to be routed between the signals of previous groups thereby providing shielding between signals lines of the same group.

IPC Classes  ?

51.

Stacked interconnect heat sink

      
Application Number 13921707
Grant Number 09054064
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-06-19
First Publication Date 2013-10-24
Grant Date 2015-06-09
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A
  • Osenbach, John W
  • Merchant, Sailesh M

Abstract

A heat spreader that is configured to be attached to an integrated circuit substrate. The heat spreader includes a thermally conductive core and a heat spreader via that passes through the thermally conductive core. A connection point of the thermally conductive core is configured to form a solder connection to an integrated circuit substrate plug.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/28 - Encapsulation, e.g. encapsulating layers, coatings
  • H01L 23/34 - Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation
  • H01L 23/367 - Cooling facilitated by shape of device
  • H01L 25/065 - Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid-state devices all the devices being of a type provided for in a single subclass of subclasses , , , , or , e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices not having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group
  • H05K 1/02 - Printed circuits Details
  • H01L 23/31 - Encapsulation, e.g. encapsulating layers, coatings characterised by the arrangement
  • H01L 23/00 - Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices

52.

Solder interconnect by addition of copper

      
Application Number 13752524
Grant Number 08580621
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-01-29
First Publication Date 2013-06-13
Grant Date 2013-11-12
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Desai, Kishor V.

Abstract

A method of forming an electronic device provides an electronic device substrate having a solder bump pad located thereover. A nickel-containing layer is located over the solder bump pad. A copper-containing layer is formed on the nickel-containing layer prior to subjecting the electronic device to a reflow process.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/44 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups

53.

Optimization of library slew ratio based circuit

      
Application Number 13761828
Grant Number 08667438
Status In Force
Filing Date 2013-02-07
First Publication Date 2013-06-13
Grant Date 2014-03-04
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Brown, Jeffrey Scott

Abstract

Disclosed is a technique for providing minimal sequential overhead in a flip-flop circuit. Equalization of setup times is achieved in one embodiment. In addition, delays in clock to Q can be equalized for both rising data transitions and falling data transitions. Large setup times are not required since optimization techniques equalize setup times for both rising and falling data transitions.

IPC Classes  ?

  • G06F 9/455 - EmulationInterpretationSoftware simulation, e.g. virtualisation or emulation of application or operating system execution engines
  • G06F 17/50 - Computer-aided design

54.

Method of manufacturing an electronic device package

      
Application Number 13677547
Grant Number 08869389
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-11-15
First Publication Date 2013-03-21
Grant Date 2014-10-28
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Golick, Larry
  • Low, Qwai Hoong
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Stahley, Matthew E.

Abstract

An electronic device package 100 comprising a lead frame 105 having at least one lead 110 with a notch 205. The notch includes at least one reentrant angle 210 of greater than 180 degrees and the notch is located distal to a cut end 1010 of the lead.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H05K 3/30 - Assembling printed circuits with electric components, e.g. with resistor
  • H01L 23/495 - Lead-frames
  • H01L 23/00 - Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices

55.

Fully parameterizable representation of a higher level design entity

      
Application Number 13114834
Grant Number 08464202
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-05-24
First Publication Date 2012-11-29
Grant Date 2013-06-11
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Boshart, Shawn
  • Moinian, Shahriar
  • Williams, Joshua
  • Vuong, Hong-Ha

Abstract

A parameterizable design system is for use with semiconductor analog circuits and includes an interface unit connected to provide access to the system, a database unit connected to supply a library of parameterizable analog building blocks for a design entity, and a parameterization unit connected to select a parameter for one of the library of parameterizable analog building blocks to meet a design specification of the design entity. Additionally, the parameterizable design system may also include a simulation unit connected to simulate an operation of the design entity employing the parameter, and an analyzer unit connected to analyze a sensitivity of the parameter for the design entity based on the design specification. A method of designing a semiconductor analog circuit is also included.

IPC Classes  ?

56.

Decoupling capacitor

      
Application Number 13032429
Grant Number 08547681
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-02-22
First Publication Date 2012-08-23
Grant Date 2013-10-01
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Logan, Shawn M.
  • Nease, Ellis E.

Abstract

An electronic device package includes first and second electrodes of a package substrate. The first electrode has fingers formed from a first metal level and is configured to operate at a first DC potential. The second electrode has fingers formed from the first metal level interdigitated with the fingers of the first electrode. A via conductively connects the second electrode to a second metal level. The second metal level is configured to operate at a second DC potential. The first and second DC potentials are thereby capacitively coupled through the interdigitated electrodes.

IPC Classes  ?

57.

Circuit timing analysis incorporating the effects of temperature inversion

      
Application Number 13453289
Grant Number 08645888
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-04-23
First Publication Date 2012-08-16
Grant Date 2014-02-04
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Tetelbaum, Alexander

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for increasing the accuracy of timing characterization of a circuit including at least one cell in a cell library are provided. One method includes the steps of: performing cell library timing characterization for the cell for prescribed first and second temperatures, the first and second temperatures corresponding to minimum and maximum temperatures of operation of the circuit, respectively; selecting one or more additional temperatures between the first and second temperatures; performing cell timing characterization for each process, voltage and temperature (PVT) corner at the one or more additional temperatures, as well as at the first and second temperatures; and performing timing sign-off for each PVT corner using the one or more additional temperatures, the timing sign-off being based at least in part on the timing characterization for each PVT corner.

IPC Classes  ?

58.

Method of fabrication of through-substrate vias

      
Application Number 12969836
Grant Number 08987137
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-12-16
First Publication Date 2012-06-21
Grant Date 2015-03-24
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Merchant, Sailesh M.
  • Osenbach, John

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a through-substrate-via structure. The method comprises providing a substrate having a front-side and an opposite back-side. A through-substrate via opening is formed in the front-side of the substrate. The through-substrate-via opening does not penetrate an outer surface of the back-side of the substrate. The through-substrate-via opening is filled with a solid fill material. Portions of the substrate from the outer surface of the back-side of the substrate are removed to thereby expose the fill material. At least portions of the exposed fill material are removed to form a back-side through-substrate via opening that traverses an entire thickness of the substrate. The back-side through-substrate via opening is filled with an electrically conductive material.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/44 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
  • H01L 21/768 - Applying interconnections to be used for carrying current between separate components within a device
  • H01L 25/065 - Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid-state devices all the devices being of a type provided for in a single subclass of subclasses , , , , or , e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices not having separate containers the devices being of a type provided for in group

59.

Integration of shallow trench isolation and through-substrate vias into integrated circuit designs

      
Application Number 12969852
Grant Number 08742535
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-12-16
First Publication Date 2012-06-21
Grant Date 2014-06-03
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Merchant, Sailesh M.
  • Osenbach, John

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an IC, comprising providing a substrate having a first side and a second opposite side, forming a STI opening in the first side of the substrate and forming a partial TSV opening in the first side of the substrate and extending the partial TSV opening. The extended partial TSV opening is deeper into the substrate than the STI opening. The method also comprises filling the STI opening with a first solid material and filling the extended partial TSV opening with a second solid material. Neither the STI opening, the partial TSV opening, nor the extended partial TSV opening penetrate an outer surface of the second side of the substrate. At least either: the STI opening and the partial TSV opening are formed simultaneously, or, the STI opening and the extended partial TSV opening are filled simultaneously.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/52 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another
  • H01L 21/76 - Making of isolation regions between components
  • H01L 21/44 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups

60.

Circuits and methods for improved FET matching

      
Application Number 13368985
Grant Number 08440512
Status In Force
Filing Date 2012-02-08
First Publication Date 2012-06-07
Grant Date 2013-05-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Richardson, Kenneth G.
  • Straub, Michael

Abstract

The present inventions are related to systems and methods for pre-equalizer noise suppression in a data processing system. As an example, a data processing system is discussed that includes: a sample averaging circuit, a selector circuit, an equalizer circuit, and a mark detector circuit. The sample averaging circuit is operable to average corresponding data samples from at least a first read of a codeword and a second read of the codeword to yield an averaged output based at least in part on a framing signal. The selector circuit is operable to select one of the averaged output and the first read of the codeword as a selected output. The equalizer circuit is operable to equalize the selected output to yield an equalized output, and the mark detector circuit is operable to identify a location mark in the equalized output to yield the framing signal.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof

61.

Mitigation of detrimental breakdown of a high dielectric constant metal-insulator-metal capacitor in a capacitor bank

      
Application Number 12953624
Grant Number 08624352
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-11-24
First Publication Date 2012-05-24
Grant Date 2014-01-07
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Weir, Bonnie E.
  • Harris, Edward B.
  • Venkatraman, Ramnath

Abstract

An IC capacitor bank includes a plurality of high-k metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors connected to a pair of conductive traces. A fusible trace located on an end of one of the pair of conductive traces forms a capacitor column connected between supply lines, such that failure of a dielectric in the MIM capacitors causes the fusible trace to at least partially open thereby limiting a fault current in the capacitor column. Additionally, a method of manufacturing an IC capacitor bank includes providing a plurality of high-k metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors connected to a pair of conductive traces and locating a fusible trace on an end of the pair of conductive traces to form a capacitor column that is connected between supply lines, such that failure of a dielectric in the MIM capacitors causes the fusible trace to at least partially open thereby limiting a fault current in the capacitor column.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/52 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another

62.

Semiconductor device and process for reducing damaging breakdown in gate dielectrics

      
Application Number 13311299
Grant Number 08241986
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-12-05
First Publication Date 2012-03-29
Grant Date 2012-08-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Kook, Taeho
  • Nigam, Tanya
  • Weir, Bonnie E.

Abstract

The present invention, in one aspect, provides an integrated circuit that comprises a first region of transistors having gate structures with a low dopant concentration, and a second region of transistors having gate structures with a dopant concentration substantially higher than the gate structures of the first region, and wherein the transistors in the first region comprise a substantial portion of the integrated circuit. The transistors may include a resistor region located between an upper portion of the gate and the gate dielectric.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/28 - Manufacture of electrodes on semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups

63.

Low-cost 3D face-to-face out assembly

      
Application Number 13217857
Grant Number 08502372
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-08-25
First Publication Date 2012-03-01
Grant Date 2013-08-06
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Osenbach, John

Abstract

An electronic device includes first and second electronic device dice. The first electronic device die is embedded within a resin layer. A dielectric layer is located over the device die and the resin layer. First interconnects within the dielectric layer connect a first subset of electrical contacts on the first electronic device to corresponding terminals at a surface of the dielectric that are located over the first electronic device. Second interconnects within the dielectric layer connect a second subset of electrical contacts on the first electronic device to corresponding bump pads at a surface of the dielectric that are located over the resin layer.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/10 - ContainersSeals characterised by the material or arrangement of seals between parts, e.g. between cap and base of the container or between leads and walls of the container
  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof

64.

Stacked interconnect heat sink

      
Application Number 12840016
Grant Number 08492911
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-07-20
First Publication Date 2012-01-26
Grant Date 2013-07-23
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Merchant, Sailesh M.

Abstract

An electronic device includes an integrated circuit and a heat spreader. The integrated circuit includes a substrate with an active via located therein. The heat spreader includes a thermally conductive core. The active via is connected to a corresponding heat spreader via that passes through the thermally conductive core.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/28 - Encapsulation, e.g. encapsulating layers, coatings

65.

Granular channel width for power optimization

      
Application Number 12840535
Grant Number 08196086
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-07-21
First Publication Date 2012-01-26
Grant Date 2012-06-05
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Brown, Jeffrey S.
  • Byrn, Jonathan W.
  • Turner, Mark F.

Abstract

A storage medium recording a cell library having one or more cells that may be readable by a computer and may be used by the computer to design an integrated circuit. The one or more cells may have a physical dimension parameter and a channel width parameter. The physical dimension parameter may be a footprint of the one or more cells. The channel width parameter may have a minimum driver size and a maximum driver size. The channel width parameter may define a range within which a tool varies the channel width between the maximum driver size and the minimum driver size during a design flow of the integrated circuit based upon one or more power criteria without changing the footprint.

IPC Classes  ?

66.

Methods for avoiding parasitic capacitance in an integrated circuit package

      
Application Number 13252632
Grant Number 08288269
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-10-04
First Publication Date 2012-01-26
Grant Date 2012-10-16
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Hall, Jeffrey
  • Nikoukary, Shawn
  • Amin, Amar
  • Jenkins, Michael

Abstract

An integrated circuit package substrate includes a first and an additional electrically conductive layer separated from each other by an electrically insulating layer, a contact pad formed in the first electrically conductive layer for making a direct connection between the integrated circuit package substrate and a printed circuit board, and a cutout formed in the additional electrically conductive layer wherein the cutout encloses an area that completely surrounds the contact pad for avoiding parasitic capacitance between the additional electrically conductive layer and the printed circuit board.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/4763 - Deposition of non-insulating-, e.g. conductive-, resistive-, layers on insulating layersAfter-treatment of these layers

67.

Logic-based eDRAM using local interconnects to reduce impact of extension contact parasitics

      
Application Number 13046973
Grant Number 08283713
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-03-14
First Publication Date 2011-12-08
Grant Date 2012-10-09
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Jansen, John G.
  • Kao, Chi-Yi
  • Chen, Ce
  • Moinian, Shahriar

Abstract

An electronic device includes an active layer located over a substrate with the active layer having a logic circuit and an eDRAM cell. The electronic device also includes a first metallization level located over the active layer that provides logic interconnects and metal capacitor plates. The logic interconnects are connected to the logic circuit and the metal capacitor plates are connected to the eDRAM cell. The electronic device additionally includes a second metallization level located over the first metallization level that provides an interconnect connected to at least one of the logic interconnects, and a bit line that is connected to the eDRAM cell. A method of manufacturing an electronic device is also included.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/108 - Dynamic random access memory structures

68.

Controlling warping in integrated circuit devices

      
Application Number 13041674
Grant Number 08133799
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-03-07
First Publication Date 2011-10-13
Grant Date 2012-03-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Shilling, Thomas H.
  • Xie, Weidong

Abstract

Techniques for integrated circuit device fabrication are provided. In one aspect, an integrated circuit device comprises a base, at least one die attached to the base, and a counterbalancing layer on at least a portion of at least one side of the base adapted to compensate for at least a portion of a thermal expansion difference existing between the base and the die. In another aspect, warping of an integrated circuit device comprising at least one die attached to a base is controlled by applying a counterbalancing layer to at least a portion of at least one side of the base adapted to compensate for at least a portion of a thermal expansion difference existing between the base and the die.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/30 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
  • H01L 21/46 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups

69.

Staged scenario generation

      
Application Number 13150607
Grant Number 08423933
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-06-01
First Publication Date 2011-09-29
Grant Date 2013-04-16
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Patel, Sidhesh
  • Bodhak, Prakash

Abstract

A method of verifying integrated circuit designs, by constructing a series of atomic generators in a staged, hierarchical order, applying a lowest of the hierarchical generator stages to device level test cases of the verification process, applying a highest of the hierarchical generator stages to system level test cases of the verification process, reusing code written for and used in the lowest hierarchical generator stage in a next higher generator stage, creating a constraint scenario in the highest hierarchical generator stage, and injecting the constraint scenario into a next lower generator stage.

IPC Classes  ?

70.

High voltage tolerant metal-oxide-semiconductor device

      
Application Number 13149122
Grant Number 08105912
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-05-31
First Publication Date 2011-09-22
Grant Date 2012-01-31
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Harris, Edward B.

Abstract

A method for increasing a voltage tolerance of a MOS device having a first capacitance value associated therewith is provided. The method includes the steps of: connecting at least a first capacitor in series with the MOS device, the first capacitor having a first capacitance value associated therewith, the first capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a gate of the MOS device and a second terminal adapted to receive a first signal; and adjusting a ratio of the first capacitance value and a second capacitance value associated with the MOS device such that a second signal present at the gate of the MOS device will be an attenuated version of the first signal. An amount of attenuation of the first signal is a function of the ratio of the first and second capacitance values.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/329 - Multistep processes for the manufacture of devices of the bipolar type, e.g. diodes, transistors, thyristors the devices comprising one or two electrodes, e.g. diodes

71.

Bipolar junction transistor having a high germanium concentration in a silicon-germanium layer and a method for forming the bipolar junction transistor

      
Application Number 12728412
Grant Number 08227319
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-03-22
First Publication Date 2011-09-22
Grant Date 2012-07-24
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Griglione, Michelle D.

Abstract

A method for forming a germanium-enriched region in a heterojunction bipolar transistor and a heterojunction bipolar transistor comprising a germanium-enriched region. A base having a silicon-germanium portion is formed over a collector. Thermal oxidation of the base causes a germanium-enriched region to form on a surface of the silicon-germanium portion subjected to the thermal oxidation. An emitter is formed overlying the germanium-enriched portion region. The germanium-enriched region imparts advantageous operating properties to the heterojunction bipolar transistor, including improved high-frequency/high-speed operation.

IPC Classes  ?

72.

Solder bump structure for flip chip semiconductor devices and method of manufacturing therefore

      
Application Number 13093032
Grant Number 08507317
Status In Force
Filing Date 2011-04-25
First Publication Date 2011-08-11
Grant Date 2013-08-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Bitting, Donald S.
  • Chittipeddi, Sailesh
  • Kang, Seung H.
  • Merchant, Sailesh M.

Abstract

The invention provides, in one aspect, a semiconductor device that comprises an interconnect layer located over a semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is located over the interconnect layer and having a solder bump support opening formed therein. Support pillars that comprise a conductive material are located within the solder bump support opening.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/60 - Attaching leads or other conductive members, to be used for carrying current to or from the device in operation

73.

Integrated heat sink

      
Application Number 12689806
Grant Number 08222745
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-01-19
First Publication Date 2011-07-21
Grant Date 2012-07-17
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Park, Sangjune
  • Iwashita, Carl

Abstract

An electronic device includes a heat dissipating component located over a substrate. An isolation trench is formed in the substrate adjacent the component. A contact region of the substrate is bounded by the trench. An electrically isolated contact is located over and in contact with the contact region. The electrically isolated contact and the contact region provide a thermally conductive path to the substrate.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements

74.

Allotropic or morphologic change in silicon induced by electromagnetic radiation for resistance turning of integrated circuits

      
Application Number 13119005
Grant Number 08610215
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-09-19
First Publication Date 2011-07-07
Grant Date 2013-12-17
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Baiocchi, Frank A.
  • Cargo, James T.
  • Delucca, John M.
  • Dutt, Barry J.
  • Martin, Charles

Abstract

An electronic device includes a semiconductor substrate and a dielectric layer over the substrate. A resistive link located over the substrate includes a first resistive region and a second resistive region. The first resistive region has a first resistivity and a first morphology. The second resistive region has a second resistivity and a different second morphology.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 33/16 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof characterised by the semiconductor bodies with a particular crystal structure or orientation, e.g. polycrystalline, amorphous or porous

75.

Mitigation of whiskers in Sn-films

      
Application Number 13059502
Grant Number 08653375
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-08-21
First Publication Date 2011-06-30
Grant Date 2014-02-18
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Osenbach, John W.

Abstract

An electronic device includes a metallic conducting lead having a surface. A pre-solder coating over the surface consists essentially of tin and one or more dopants selected from Al or a rare earth element.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01B 5/00 - Non-insulated conductors or conductive bodies characterised by their form

76.

Flip-chip fan-out wafer level package for package-on-package applications, and method of manufacture

      
Application Number 12651365
Grant Number 08884422
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-12-31
First Publication Date 2011-06-30
Grant Date 2014-11-11
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Goh, Kim-Yong
  • Luan, Jing-En

Abstract

A flip-chip fan-out wafer level package for package-on-package applications includes a semiconductor die with solder bumps on an upper surface in a flip chip configuration. The die is inverted, with an upper surface facing an upper side of a redistribution layer, with the solder bumps in electrical contact with respective chip contact pads of the redistribution layer. The redistribution layer includes conductive traces that place each of the solder bumps in electrical contact with one or both of one of a plurality of upper redistribution contact pads and one of a plurality of lower redistribution contact pads. Each of the plurality of upper redistribution contact pads has an upper solder ball in electrical contact therewith. The die and the upper solder balls are at least partially encapsulated in a layer of mold compound positioned on the upper surface of the redistribution layer, and whose lateral dimensions are defined by the lateral dimensions of the redistribution layer. The layer of mold compound has a back-ground surface at which a portion of each of the upper solder balls is exposed, for electrical contact with an upper package. Each of the lower redistribution contact pads has a lower solder ball a coupled thereto.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/02 - ContainersSeals
  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements
  • H01L 23/52 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another
  • H01L 23/04 - ContainersSeals characterised by the shape
  • H01L 29/40 - Electrodes
  • H01L 25/10 - Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid-state devices all the devices being of a type provided for in a single subclass of subclasses , , , , or , e.g. assemblies of rectifier diodes the devices having separate containers
  • H01L 23/498 - Leads on insulating substrates
  • H01L 21/56 - Encapsulations, e.g. encapsulating layers, coatings
  • H01L 25/16 - Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid-state devices the devices being of types provided for in two or more different subclasses of , , , , or , e.g. forming hybrid circuits
  • H01L 23/538 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another the interconnection structure between a plurality of semiconductor chips being formed on, or in, insulating substrates
  • H01L 23/00 - Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices

77.

System and method for reducing the generation of inconsequential violations resulting from timing analyses

      
Application Number 12190784
Grant Number 07971169
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-08-13
First Publication Date 2011-06-28
Grant Date 2011-06-28
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Tetelbaum, Alexander Y.
  • Chakravarty, Sreejit
  • Callegari, Nicholas A.

Abstract

A system for, and method of, reducing the generation of inconsequential violations resulting from timing analyses and an electronic design automation (EDA) tool incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a timing violation identifier configured to identify at least some timing violations in a circuit based on a timing analysis, (2) an unsensitizable path identifier configured to identify at least some unsensitizable paths in the circuit and (3) a repair list generator coupled to the timing violation identifier and the unsensitizable path identifier and configured to generate a repair list based on both the at least some timing violations and the at least some unsensitizable paths.

IPC Classes  ?

78.

Defectivity-immune technique of implementing MIM-based decoupling capacitors

      
Application Number 12839148
Grant Number 08411399
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-07-19
First Publication Date 2011-03-03
Grant Date 2013-04-02
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Venkatraman, Ramnath
  • Castagnetti, Ruggero

Abstract

An integrated circuit power supply decoupling circuit includes a capacitor and a protection circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The protection circuit includes a first transistor having a first conduction path, and a second transistor having a second conduction path. One terminal of the first conduction path is connected to the first terminal of the capacitor, and another terminal of the first conduction path is connected to a first power supply rail. One terminal of the second conduction path is connected to the second terminal of the capacitor, and another terminal of the second conduction path is connected to a second power supply rail.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H02H 3/22 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to excess voltage of short duration, e.g. lightning

79.

Efficient power management method in integrated circuit through a nanotube structure

      
Application Number 12912791
Grant Number 08017512
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-10-27
First Publication Date 2011-02-17
Grant Date 2011-09-13
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Byrn, Jonathan

Abstract

Efficient power management method in integrated circuit through a nanotube structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes patterning a nanotube structure adjacent to a transistor layer of an integrated circuit. The transistor layer may be above a semiconductor substrate. The transistor layer above the semiconductor substrate may comprise a plurality of transistors. The method also includes supplying power to the plurality of transistors through one or more power sources. In addition, the method includes coupling the plurality of transistors in the transistor layer to the one or more power sources based on a state of the nanotube structure.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 35/24 - Selection of the material for the legs of the junction using organic compositions
  • H01L 51/00 - Solid state devices using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices, or of parts thereof

80.

Establishing benchmarks for analyzing benefits associated with voltage scaling, analyzing the benefits and an apparatus therefor

      
Application Number 12510082
Grant Number 08122422
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-07-27
First Publication Date 2011-01-27
Grant Date 2012-02-21
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Rao, Vishwas M.
  • Parker, James C.
  • Masnica, Stephen A.
  • Sibert, Robert C.

Abstract

Methods for establishing benchmarks and for analyzing benefits associated with voltage scaling are provided. In one embodiment, the method for establishing benchmarks includes: (1) synthesizing a netlist from a RTL of a functional IC design; (2) implementing a layout of an IC from the netlist, wherein the synthesizing and the implementing are performed at designated voltages and frequencies over a voltage and a frequency range, the voltage range including a voltage scaling range and a voltage associated with a designated implementation of the IC; (3) obtaining measurements of at least one voltage scaling metric associated with the IC at each of the designated voltages and frequencies; and (4) normalizing measurements associated with the voltage scaling range to measurements associated with the designated implementation employing a processor to obtain normalized benchmarks for analyzing optimization of the IC associated with voltage scaling. EDA tools may be used for synthesizing, implementing and obtaining.

IPC Classes  ?

81.

Methods for designing integrated circuits employing context-sensitive and progressive rules and an apparatus employing one of the methods

      
Application Number 12510122
Grant Number 08127264
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-07-27
First Publication Date 2011-01-27
Grant Date 2012-02-28
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Parker, James C.
  • Rao, Vishwas M.
  • Satapathy, Lalita M.
  • Tope, Todd M.

Abstract

Methods of designing an IC and an apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: (1) creating a functional circuit for a functional block of an IC design, (2) verifying said functional circuit satisfies a rule-set for said IC design, wherein said rule-set is context-based with respect to said design flow, (3) synthesizing a logical circuit based on the functional circuit; (4) verifying the logical circuit satisfies the rule set; (5) implementing a physical layout of the logical circuit; and (6) verifying the physical layout satisfies the rule set, wherein each step of the method is carried out by at least one EDA tool.

IPC Classes  ?

82.

Solder interconnect by addition of copper

      
Application Number 12501686
Grant Number 08378485
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-07-13
First Publication Date 2011-01-13
Grant Date 2013-02-19
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Bachman, Mark A.
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Desai, Kishor V.

Abstract

A method of forming an electronic device provides an electronic device substrate having a solder bump pad located thereover. A nickel-containing layer is located over the solder bump pad. A copper-containing layer is formed on the nickel-containing layer prior to subjecting the electronic device to a reflow process.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements

83.

Lead frame design to improve reliability

      
Application Number 12486592
Grant Number 08334467
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-06-17
First Publication Date 2010-12-23
Grant Date 2012-12-18
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Golick, Larry W.
  • Low, Qwai Hoong
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Stahley, Matthew E.

Abstract

An electronic device package 100 comprising a lead frame 150 having at least one lead 110 with a notch 205. The notch includes at least one reentrant angle 210 of greater than 180 degrees and the notch is located distal to a cut end 1010 of the lead.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements

84.

Electronic device package and method of manufacture

      
Application Number 12483139
Grant Number 07993981
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-06-11
First Publication Date 2010-12-16
Grant Date 2011-08-09
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Low, Qwai
  • Variot, Patrick

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an electronic device package. Coating a first side of a metallic layer with a first insulating layer and coating a second opposite side of the metallic layer with a second insulating layer. Patterning the first insulating layer to expose bonding locations on the first side of the metallic layer, and patterning the second insulating layer such that remaining portions of the second insulating layer on the second opposite side are located directly opposite to the bonding locations on the first side. Selectively removing portions of the metallic layer that are not covered by the remaining portions of the second insulating layer on the second opposite side to form separated coplanar metallic layers. The separated coplanar metallic layers include the bonding locations. Selectively removing remaining portions of the second insulating layer thereby exposing second bonding locations on the second opposite sides of the separated coplanar metallic layers.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof

85.

Integrated circuit inductors with reduced magnetic coupling

      
Application Number 12516301
Grant Number 08143696
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-03-18
First Publication Date 2010-12-16
Grant Date 2012-03-27
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Mao, Weiwei
  • Moinian, Shahriar
  • Paist, Kenneth Wade
  • Wilson, William B.

Abstract

An IC inductor structure is provided which includes a first inductor element formed on a semiconductor substrate and at least a second inductor element formed on the semiconductor substrate proximate the first inductor element. The first inductor element has a first effective magnetic field direction associated therewith, and the second inductor element has a second effective magnetic field direction associated therewith. The first and second inductor elements are oriented relative to one another so as to create a non-zero angle between the first and second effective magnetic field directions.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 27/08 - Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being a semiconductor body including only semiconductor components of a single kind

86.

Aluminum bond pads with enhanced wire bond stability

      
Application Number 12471982
Grant Number 08101871
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-05-26
First Publication Date 2010-12-02
Grant Date 2012-01-24
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Baiocchi, Frank A.
  • Delucca, John M
  • Osenbach, John W.

Abstract

An electronic device bond pad includes an Al layer located over an electronic device substrate. The Al layer includes an intrinsic group 10 metal located therein.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H05K 1/11 - Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits

87.

Separate probe and bond regions of an integrated circuit

      
Application Number 12432763
Grant Number 08115321
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-04-30
First Publication Date 2010-11-04
Grant Date 2012-02-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Ali, Anwar
  • Doddapaneni, Kalyan
  • Sulur, Gokulnath
  • Leung, Wilson
  • Lau, Tauman T

Abstract

An integrated circuit includes a number of probe pads arranged in a staggered manner in a core region of the integrated circuit and a number of bond pads in an Input/Output (I/O) region surrounding the core region. The core region includes logic circuitry therein, and the I/O region is configured to enable the core region to communicate with one or more external circuit(s) through the number of bond pads. The integrated circuit also includes a die metal interconnect separating a bond pad area in the I/O region from a probe pad area in the core region. A dimension of the die metal interconnect and/or a position of the die metal interconnect between the probe pad area and the bond pad area is variable.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/485 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements consisting of lead-in layers inseparably applied to the semiconductor body consisting of layered constructions comprising conductive layers and insulating layers, e.g. planar contacts
  • H01L 21/768 - Applying interconnections to be used for carrying current between separate components within a device

88.

Chip identification using top metal layer

      
Application Number 12741839
Grant Number 08242603
Status In Force
Filing Date 2007-12-10
First Publication Date 2010-10-28
Grant Date 2012-08-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Check, Joseph J.
  • Harris, Edward B.
  • Mantz, Ii, Lyle K.
  • Kiser, Richard R.
  • Leith, Patricia J.

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.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements
  • H01L 23/52 - Arrangements for conducting electric current within the device in operation from one component to another
  • H01L 29/40 - Electrodes

89.

Method for forming a bipolar junction transistor and a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor

      
Application Number 12832110
Grant Number 08084313
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-07-08
First Publication Date 2010-10-28
Grant Date 2011-12-27
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Nanda, Arun K.
  • Raghavan, Venkat
  • Rossi, Nace

Abstract

A method for forming BiCMOS integrated circuits and structures formed according to the method. After forming doped wells and gate stacks for the CMOS devices and collector and base regions for the bipolar junction transistor, an emitter layer is formed within an emitter window. A dielectric material layer is formed over the emitter layer and remains in place during etching of the emitter layer and removal of the etch mask. The dielectric material layer further remains in place during source/drain implant doping and activation of the implanted source/drain dopants. The dielectric material layer functions as a thermal barrier, to limit out-diffusion of the emitter dopants during the activation step.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/8238 - Complementary field-effect transistors, e.g. CMOS

90.

Soldering method and related device for improved resistance to brittle fracture with an intermetallic compound region coupling a solder mass to an Ni layer which has a low concentration of P, wherein the amount of P in the underlying Ni layer is controlled as a function of the expected volume of the solder mass

      
Application Number 12160553
Grant Number 08242378
Status In Force
Filing Date 2007-09-21
First Publication Date 2010-09-30
Grant Date 2012-08-14
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Amin, Ahmed
  • Baiocchi, Frank
  • Delucca, John
  • Osenbach, John
  • Vaccaro, Brian T.

Abstract

A lead-free solder joint is formed between a tin-silver-copper solder alloy (SAC), SACX, or other commonly used Pb-free solder alloys, and a metallization layer of a substrate. Interaction of the SAC with the metallization layer forms an intermetallic compound (IMC) that binds the solder mass to the metallization layer. The IMC region is substantially free of any phosphorous-containing layers or regions.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H05K 1/09 - Use of materials for the metallic pattern
  • B23K 31/02 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups relating to soldering or welding
  • B23K 1/20 - Preliminary treatment of work or areas to be soldered, e.g. in respect of a galvanic coating

91.

Method for separating a semiconductor wafer into individual semiconductor dies using an implanted impurity

      
Application Number 12618936
Grant Number 08119501
Status In Force
Filing Date 2009-11-16
First Publication Date 2010-09-02
Grant Date 2012-02-21
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Harris, Edward B.
  • Steiner, Kurt G.

Abstract

Provided is a method for separating a semiconductor wafer into individual semiconductor dies. The method for separating the semiconductor wafer, among other steps, may include implanting an impurity into regions of a semiconductor wafer proximate junctions where semiconductor dies join one another, the impurity configured to disrupt bonds in the semiconductor wafer proximate the junctions and lead to weakened regions. The method for separating the semiconductor wafer may further include separating the semiconductor wafer having the impurity into individual semiconductor dies along the weakened regions.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof

92.

Bond pad support structure for semiconductor device

      
Application Number 12678405
Grant Number 08183698
Status In Force
Filing Date 2007-10-31
First Publication Date 2010-08-12
Grant Date 2012-05-22
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Antol, Joze E.
  • Osenbach, John W.
  • Steiner, Kurt G.

Abstract

According to certain embodiments, integrated circuits are fabricated using brittle low-k dielectric material to reduce undesired capacitances between conductive structures. To avoid permanent damage to such dielectric material, bond pads are fabricated with support structures that shield the dielectric material from destructive forces during wire bonding. In one implementation, the support structure includes a passivation structure between the bond pad and the topmost metallization layer. In another implementation, the support structure includes metal features between the topmost metallization layer and the next-topmost metallization layer. In both cases, the region of the next-topmost metallization layer under the bond pad can have multiple metal lines corresponding to different signal routing paths. As such, restrictions on the use of the next-topmost metallization layer for routing purposes are reduced compared to prior-art bond-pad support structures that require the region of the next-topmost metallization layer under the bond pad to be a single metal structure.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 23/12 - Mountings, e.g. non-detachable insulating substrates
  • H01L 23/48 - Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the solid state body in operation, e.g. leads or terminal arrangements

93.

Fill patterning for symmetrical circuits

      
Application Number 12339407
Grant Number 08423942
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-12-19
First Publication Date 2010-06-24
Grant Date 2013-04-16
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Werkheiser, Jason K.

Abstract

A fill-placement method, according to which symmetrical fill patterns are used to insert fill tiles into one or more interconnect levels corresponding to symmetrical circuitry. The fill-placement method can be used, for example, in the fabrication of an integrated circuit having at least two complementary portions for which relatively tight circuit-matching requirements need to be met.

IPC Classes  ?

94.

Quad flat no lead (QFN) integrated circuit (IC) package having a modified paddle and method for designing the package

      
Application Number 12526334
Grant Number 08222719
Status In Force
Filing Date 2007-02-12
First Publication Date 2010-06-17
Grant Date 2012-07-17
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Golick, Lawrence Wayne
  • Hynes, Scott E.
  • Pllyer, Thomas J.

Abstract

A QFN IC package is provided that has all of the advantages of the typical QFN IC package, but in addition, has a paddle that is configured to facilitate trace routing and/or via placement on the PWB or PCB on which the IC package is mounted. By configuring the paddle as necessary or desired in order to facilitate routing and/or via placement, the overall size of the PWB or PCB can be reduced without sacrificing the thermal or electrical performance advantages that the paddle provides. In addition, the reduction in the overall size of the PWB or PCB results in reduced cost.

IPC Classes  ?

95.

Preferentially cooled electronic device

      
Application Number 12327987
Grant Number 07787252
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-12-04
First Publication Date 2010-06-10
Grant Date 2010-08-31
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Mertol, Atila

Abstract

Various apparatuses and methods for a preferentially cooled electronic device are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide an electronic apparatus including a package substrate and with a semiconductor die electrically and thermally connected to the package substrate by a plurality of connection nodes. At least one thermal trace interconnects at least one subset of the plurality of connection nodes. At least one heat dissipation trace on the package substrate is connected to the at least one subset of the plurality of connection nodes.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H05K 7/20 - Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
  • H01L 23/34 - Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation

96.

Generation of an extracted timing model file

      
Application Number 12695396
Grant Number 08181138
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-01-28
First Publication Date 2010-05-27
Grant Date 2012-05-15
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Lindberg, Peter
  • Kirchner, Richard K.
  • Bhutsuni, Sandeep

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for generating extracted timing model files, such as macro library files, are disclosed. A user interface or data template is provided to an engineer that allows for the population of data within particular fields related to timing characteristics of an IP block, cell or core. Various types of data and fields may be provided into the user interface or data template. The location of relevant files, such as a cell or core netlist, may be provided within the template. Additionally, one or more modes may be selected by the user to define the manner in which the ETM file(s) are to be generated. An ETM file is automatically generated using the information provided in the data template.

IPC Classes  ?

97.

Method and article of manufacture for wire bonding with staggered differential wire bond pairs

      
Application Number 12692209
Grant Number 08084857
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-01-22
First Publication Date 2010-05-13
Grant Date 2011-12-27
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Appel, Gavin
  • Rebelo, Ashley
  • Wittensoldner, Christopher J.

Abstract

A method and article of manufacture for performing wire-bonding operations in an integrated circuit. In one aspect, the operations include the steps of bonding a wire to a first bond site in the integrated circuit and terminating the wire at a second bond site. The bonding and terminating steps are repeated for at least two differential wire bond pairs, and proximate differential wire bond pairs of the at least two differential wire bond pairs have substantially different wire bond profiles.

IPC Classes  ?

98.

Bipolar device having improved capacitance

      
Application Number 12652560
Grant Number 08106480
Status In Force
Filing Date 2010-01-05
First Publication Date 2010-04-29
Grant Date 2012-01-31
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Chen, Alan S.
  • Dyson, Mark
  • Kerr, Daniel C.
  • Rossi, Nace M.

Abstract

The invention, in one aspect, provides a semiconductor device that comprises a collector located in a semiconductor substrate and an isolation region located under the collector, wherein a peak dopant concentration of the isolation region is separated from a peak dopant concentration of the collector that ranges from about 0.9 microns to about 2.0 microns.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 29/73 - Bipolar junction transistors
  • H01L 29/732 - Vertical transistors
  • H01L 21/70 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in or on a common substrate or of specific parts thereofManufacture of integrated circuit devices or of specific parts thereof
  • H01L 21/761 - PN junctions

99.

Material removing processes in device formation and the devices formed thereby

      
Application Number 12290054
Grant Number 07972873
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-10-27
First Publication Date 2010-04-29
Grant Date 2011-07-05
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor
  • Baiocchi, Frank A.
  • Cargo, James Thomas
  • Delucca, John Michael

Abstract

Devices having voids are producible by employing an electrochemical corrosion process. For example, an electrically conductive region is formed to have a surrounding chemically distinct region. Such formation is possible through conventional semiconductor processing techniques such as a copper damascene process. The surrounded conducting material is configured to be in electrical communication with a charge separation structure. The electrically conducting region is contacted with a fluid electrolyte and electromagnetic radiation is made to illuminate the charge separation region to induce separation of electrons and holes. The resulting separated charges are used to drive an electrochemical corrosion process at the conductive material/electrolyte interface resulting in the removal of at least a portion of the electrically conducting material. The induced corrosion leaves a void that is useful, for example, as a highly effective dielectric in integrated circuits, functions to allow component separation such as gear separation in microelectromechanical devices or produces long cavities useful for material separation analogous to the distillation columns used in liquid chromatography.

IPC Classes  ?

  • H01L 21/00 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or solid-state devices, or of parts thereof
  • H01L 21/302 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups to change the physical characteristics of their surfaces, or to change their shape, e.g. etching, polishing, cutting
  • H01L 31/062 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices characterised by at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the potential barriers being only of the metal-insulator-semiconductor type

100.

Circuit timing analysis incorporating the effects of temperature inversion

      
Application Number 12251088
Grant Number 08181144
Status In Force
Filing Date 2008-10-14
First Publication Date 2010-04-15
Grant Date 2012-05-15
Owner BELL SEMICONDUCTOR, LLC (USA)
Inventor Tetelbaum, Alexander

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for increasing the accuracy of timing characterization of a circuit including one or more cells in a cell library are provided. One method includes the steps of: performing cell library timing characterization for each of the cells in the circuit for at least first and second prescribed temperatures, the first and second temperatures corresponding to first and second PVT corners, respectively, in the cell library; calculating respective cell delays for the one or more cells in the circuit, the cell delay calculation being a function of temperature for each instance of the one or more cells; and incorporating the cell delay calculation into the timing characterization for each of the cells in the circuit to thereby increase the accuracy of the timing characterization.

IPC Classes  ?

  1     2     3     4        Next Page