IP Library Granted Patent US 7,646,044
Granted Patent B2
US 7,646,044 · App. 10/996,303 · Granted Jan 12, 2010

Thin film transistor and thin film transistor array panel

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,646,044
App. No.
10/996,303
Granted
Jan 12, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thin film transistor is provided, which includes: a semiconductor layer including an intrinsic portion; a gate electrode overlapping the intrinsic portion; a gate insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode; and source and drain electrodes that have edges opposing each other with respect to the intrinsic portion of the semiconductor layer and are connected to the semiconductor layer, wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved surface contacting the gate insulating layer.

Claims (35)

1. A thin film transistor, comprising;

a gate electrode with a flat surface;

a semiconductor layer including an intrinsic portion disposed on the gate electrode;

a gate insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer having a curved surface including a shape of a plurality of waves; and

source and drain electrodes that have edges opposing each other with respect to the intrinsic portion of the semiconductor layer and are connected to the semiconductor layer,

wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved surface and a varying vertical height with respect to the flat surface of the gate electrode between the source electrode and the drain electrode and directly over the flat surface of the gate electrode, the curved surface of the intrinsic portion including a shape of a plurality of waves, thereby increasing a current driving capacity, and

wherein the curved surface of the intrinsic portion is formed along the curved surface of the gate insulating layer.

2. The thin film transistor of claim 1 , wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved section including the curved surface.

3. The thin film transistor of claim 1 , wherein the gate insulating layer has a curved section.

4. The thin film transistor of claim 3 , wherein the gate electrode comprises a first film disposed and a second film disposed closer to the semiconductor layer than the first film and including a plurality of bars extending between the source electrode and the drain electrode.

5. The thin film transistor of claim 3 , wherein the gate electrode has a curved section.

6. The thin film transistor of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor layer comprises amorphous silicon.

7. The thin film transistor of claim 6 , further comprising ohmic contacts disposed between the semiconductor layer and the source and the drain electrodes.

8. The thin film transistor of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor layer comprises polysilicon.

9. The thin film transistor of claim 8 , wherein the semiconductor layer further comprises extrinsic portions disposed opposite each other with respect to the intrinsic portion and connected to the source and the drain electrodes.

10. A thin film transistor array panel, comprising:

a first signal line including a gate electrode with a flat surface;

a semiconductor layer including an intrinsic portion disposed on the gate electrode;

a gate insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode, the gate insulating layer having a curved surface including a shape of a plurality of waves;

a second signal line including a source electrode connected to the semiconductor layer;

a drain electrode that has an edge opposing an edge of the source electrode with respect to the intrinsic portion of the semiconductor layer and is connected to the semiconductor layer; and

a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode;

wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved surface and a varying vertical height with respect to the flat surface of the gate electrode between the source electrode and the drain electrode and directly over the flat surface of the gate electrode, the curved surface including a shape of a plurality of waves, thereby increasing a current driving capacity, and

wherein the curved surface of the intrinsic portion is formed along the curved surface of the gate insulating layer.

11. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 10 , wherein the intrinsic portion has a curved section including the curved surface.

12. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 10 , wherein the gate insulating layer has a curved section.

13. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 12 , wherein the gate electrode comprises a first film disposed and a second film disposed closer to the semiconductor layer than the first film and including a plurality of bars extending between the source electrode and the drain electrode.

14. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 10 , wherein the semiconductor layer comprises amorphous silicon.

15. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 14 , further comprising ohmic contacts disposed between the semiconductor layer and the source and the drain electrodes.

16. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 10 , further comprising:

a third signal line transmitting a gate signal;

a fourth signal line transmitting data signals;

a transistor connected to the second to the fourth signal lines and transmitting the data signals to the second signal line in response to the gate signal;

a common electrode disposed opposite the pixel electrode; and

a light emitting member disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 22, 2012
From: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
To: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 029008/0271 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 2, 2005
From: HUH, JONG-MOO; OH, JOON-HAK; CHOI, JOON-HOO; JOO, IN-SU; CHOI, BEOHM-ROCK
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016318/0911 →