IP Library Patent Application 12712591
Patent Application
App. No. 12/712,591

THIN FILM TRANSISTOR, METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME, AND ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING THE SAME

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Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/712,591
Abstract

A thin film transistor, a method of fabricating the same, and an organic light emitting diode display device having the same, the thin film transistor including: a substrate; a silicon layer formed on the substrate; a diffusion layer formed on the silicon layer; a semiconductor layer that is crystallized using a metal catalyst, formed on the diffusion layer; a gate electrode disposed on the diffusion layer, facing a channel region of the semiconductor layer; a gate insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer; and source and drain electrodes electrically connected to source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer.

Claims (71)

1 . A thin film transistor comprising:

a substrate;

a silicon layer disposed on the substrate;

a diffusion layer disposed on the silicon layer;

a semiconductor layer that is crystallized using a metal catalyst, disposed on the diffusion layer;

a gate electrode disposed on the substrate, facing a channel region of the semiconductor layer;

a gate insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer; and

source and drain electrodes electrically connected to source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer, respectively.

2 . The thin film transistor according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon layer and the semiconductor layer are formed of polysilicon.

3 . The thin film transistor according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon layer and the semiconductor layer have different grain sizes.

4 . The thin film transistor according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon layer, the semiconductor layer, and the diffusion layer comprise a metal catalyst.

5 . The thin film transistor according to claim 4 , wherein the metal catalyst is formed of one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Ag, Au, Al, Sn, Sb, Cu, Ti, and Cd.

6 . The thin film transistor according to claim 1 , further comprising an interlayer insulating layer is disposed directly on the gate electrode, wherein:

the silicon layer disposed directly on the substrate;

the diffusion layer is disposed directly on the silicon layer and a portion of the diffusion layer;

the semiconductor layer is disposed directly on the diffusion layer;

the gate insulating layer is disposed directly on the semiconductor layer;

the gate electrode is disposed directly on the gate insulating layer;

the interlayer insulating layer is disposed directly on a portion of the gate insulating layer; and

the source and drain electrodes are insulated from the gate electrode by the interlayer insulating layer.

7 . The thin film transistor according to claim 1 , wherein:

the gate electrode is disposed directly on the semiconductor layer;

the gate insulating layer is disposed directly on the semiconductor layer and a portion of the diffusion layer;

the silicon layer is disposed directly on the substrate;

the diffusion layer is disposed directly on the silicon layer;

the semiconductor layer is disposed directly on the diffusion layer; and

the source and drain electrodes are connected to the semiconductor layer, via openings formed in the gate insulating layer.

8 . A method of fabricating a thin film transistor, comprising:

forming a silicon layer on a substrate;

forming a diffusion layer on the silicon layer;

forming an amorphous silicon layer on the diffusion layer;

forming a metal catalyst layer on the amorphous silicon layer;

annealing the substrate to convert the amorphous silicon layer into a polysilicon layer;

removing the metal catalyst layer;

patterning the amorphous silicon layer to form a semiconductor layer;

forming a gate insulating layer on the substrate;

forming a gate electrode on the substrate, facing the semiconductor layer;

forming an interlayer insulating layer on the substrate; and

forming source and drain electrodes that are connected to the semiconductor layer.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the annealing is performed after forming a capping layer between the amorphous silicon layer and the metal catalyst layer.

10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the annealing is performed at a temperature of from about 350° C. to about 500° C.

11 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the metal catalyst layer is formed of one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Ag, Au, Al, Sn, Sb, Cu, Ti, and Cd.

12 . An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device comprising:

a substrate;

a silicon layer disposed on the substrate;

a diffusion layer disposed on the silicon layer;

a semiconductor layer that is crystallized using a metal catalyst, disposed on the diffusion layer;

a gate electrode disposed on a channel region of the semiconductor layer;

a gate insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer;

source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the semiconductor layer;

a passivation layer disposed on the substrate; and

a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode disposed on the passivation layer and electrically connected to one of the source and drain electrodes, the organic layer being disposed between the first and second electrodes.

13 . The OLED display device according to claim 12 , wherein the silicon layer and the semiconductor layer are formed of polysilicon.

14 . The OLED display device according to claim 12 , wherein the silicon layer and the semiconductor layer have different grain sizes.

15 . The OLED display device according to claim 12 , wherein the silicon layer, the semiconductor layer, and the diffusion layer comprise a metal catalyst.

16 . The OLED display device according to claim 15 , wherein the metal catalyst is formed of one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Ag, Au, Al, Sn, Sb, Cu, Ti, and Cd.

17 . The OLED display device according to claim 12 , wherein:

the silicon layer is disposed directly on the substrate;

the diffusion layer is disposed directly on the silicon layer;

the semiconductor layer is disposed directly on the diffusion layer;

the gate insulating layer is disposed directly on the semiconductor layer and a portion of the diffusion layer;

the gate electrode is disposed directly on the gate insulating layer;

an interlayer insulating layer is disposed directly on the gate electrode and a portion of the gate insulating layer; and

the source and drain electrodes are insulated from the gate electrode by the interlayer insulating layer.

18 . The OLED display device according to claim 12 , wherein:

the gate electrode is disposed directly on the gate insulating layer;

the gate insulating layer is disposed directly on semiconductor layer and a portion of the diffusion layer;

the silicon layer is disposed directly on the substrate;

the diffusion layer is disposed directly on the silicon layer;

the semiconductor layer is disposed directly on the diffusion layer; and

the source and drain electrodes are connected to the semiconductor layer, via openings formed in the gate insulating layer.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Aug 29, 2012
From: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.
To: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 028868/0413 →
RE-RECORD TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE OF THE SEVENTH ASSIGNOR, PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 024003 FRAME 0654. Recorded Oct 20, 2010
From: LEE, DONG-HYUN; LEE, KI-YONG; SEO, JIN-WOOK; YANG, TAE-HOON; PARK, BYOUNG-KEON; LEE, KIL-WON; LISACHENKO, MAXIM; JUNG, JAE-WAN
To: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 025170/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2010
From: LEE, DONG-HYUN; LEE, KI-YONG; SEO, JIN-WOOK; YANG, TAE-HOON; PARK, BYOUNG-KEON; LEE, KIL-WON; LISACHENKO, MAXIM; JUNG, JAE-WAN
To: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024003/0654 →