Carl Gruber

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Carl Gruber

Introduction

Carl Gruber is a notable inventor based in Le Sueur, MN (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of semiconductor technology, particularly in the development of advanced circuit structures. With a total of 3 patents, Gruber's work has paved the way for innovations in integrated circuits and thin film transistors.

Latest Patents

Gruber's latest patents include a method of making amorphous silicon on insulator VLSI circuit structures. This invention describes an integrated thin film transistor on insulator circuit that consists of multiple thin film transistors formed with small feature sizes and densely packed to facilitate complex circuit interconnections. The design utilizes a flexible insulating substrate as the support layer for the integrated circuit. The control gate metallization is applied to the insulating substrate, followed by a dielectric layer and an amorphous silicon layer with doped source and drain regions. Trenches are created to remove excess amorphous silicon material between transistors, allowing for a highly dense circuit packing. This innovative approach increases the speed of the circuit due to the short interconnecting foils.

Another significant patent focuses on the dielectric for amorphous silicon transistors. This invention presents a thin film floating gate transistor with an improved dielectric structure that encapsulates the floating gate while interfacing with the semiconductor material, α-Si:H. The dielectric material must possess high resistivity to ensure long memory retention times. Silicon dioxide is preferred for encapsulating the floating gate, but an interface layer free of oxide is interposed to mitigate defects. In some instances, aluminum nitride may replace the entire dielectric structure or the interface layer.

Career Highlights

Carl Gruber is associated with the Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., where he has contributed to various research projects and innovations. His work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding and application of semiconductor technologies.

Collaborations

Gruber has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Stanley G. Burns and Howard R. Shanks. Their combined expertise has further enhanced the impact of their research in the field.

Conclusion

Carl Gruber's innovative contributions to semiconductor technology and his patents reflect his dedication to advancing the field. His work continues to influence the development of integrated circuits and thin film transistors, showcasing the importance of innovation in technology.