Patents by Inventor Alfred Grill

Alfred Grill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230197658
    Abstract: A flip chip device and methods for fabrication are provided. An interconnect layer for a device include a plurality of solder bumps arranged within the interconnect layer. A first subset of the plurality of solder bumps has a first cross-sectional area, where the first subset is arranged along a first position at a first edge of the interconnect layer. A second subset of the plurality of solder bumps has a second cross-sectional area, where the second subset is arranged at a second position of the interconnect layer. A third subset of the plurality of solder bumps is arranged between the first position and the second position, where the third subset has a plurality of cross-sectional areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kamal K. SIKKA, Charles Leon ARVIN, Thomas Edward LOMBARDI, Piyas Bal CHOWDHURY, Alfred GRILL, Steven Lorenz WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11186911
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Patent number: 11177167
    Abstract: Compositions of matter, compounds, articles of manufacture and processes to reduce or substantially eliminate EM and/or stress migration, and/or TDDB in copper interconnects in microelectronic devices and circuits, especially a metal liner around copper interconnects comprise an ultra thin layer or layers of Mn alloys containing at least one of W and/or Co on the metal liner. This novel alloy provides EM and/or stress migration resistance, and/or TDDB resistance in these copper interconnects, comparable to thicker layers of other alloys found in substantially larger circuits and allows the miniaturization of the circuit without having to use thicker EM and/or TDDB resistant alloys previously used thereby enhancing the miniaturization, i.e., these novel alloy layers can be miniaturized along with the circuit and provide substantially the same EM and/or TDDB resistance as thicker layers of different alloy materials previously used that lose some of their EM and/or TDDB resistance when used as thinner layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Seth L. Knupp, Son Nguyen, Takeshi Nogami, Vamsi K. Paruchuri, Hosadurga K. Shobha, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11066748
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Patent number: 10978342
    Abstract: The present invention provides interconnects with self-forming wrap-all-around graphene barrier layer. In one aspect, a method of forming an interconnect structure is provided. The method includes: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric; forming an interconnect in the at least one trench embedded in the dielectric; and forming a wrap-all-around graphene barrier surrounding the interconnect. An interconnect structure having a wrap-all-around graphene barrier is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huai Huang, Takeshi Nogami, Alfred Grill, Benjamin D. Briggs, Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Christian Lavoie, Devika Sil, Prasad Bhosale, James Kelly
  • Publication number: 20200243383
    Abstract: The present invention provides interconnects with self-forming wrap-all-around graphene barrier layer. In one aspect, a method of forming an interconnect structure is provided. The method includes: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric; forming an interconnect in the at least one trench embedded in the dielectric; and forming a wrap-all-around graphene barrier surrounding the interconnect. An interconnect structure having a wrap-all-around graphene barrier is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Huai Huang, Takeshi Nogami, Alfred Grill, Benjamin D. Briggs, Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Christian Lavoie, Devika Sil, Prasad Bhosale, James Kelly
  • Patent number: 10727114
    Abstract: Integrated circuits including at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and methods of manufacturing generally include a surface of the integrated circuit. At least two electrically conductive interconnect lines are separated by a space of less than 90 nm and are formed on the surface. Each of the at least two interconnect lines includes a metal cap, a copper conductor having an average grain size greater than a line width of the interconnect. A liner layer is provided, wherein the liner layer and the metal cap encapsulate the copper conductor. A dielectric layer overlaying the at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and extending along sidewalls thereof is provided, wherein the dielectric layer is configured to provide an airgap between the at least two interconnect lines at the spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert L. Bruce, Alfred Grill, Eric A. Joseph, Teddie P. Magbitang, Hiroyuki Miyazoe, Deborah A. Neumayer
  • Patent number: 10643890
    Abstract: Compositions of matter, compounds, articles of manufacture and processes to reduce or substantially eliminate EM and/or stress migration, and/or TDDB in copper interconnects in microelectronic devices and circuits, especially a metal liner around copper interconnects comprise an ultra thin layer or layers of Mn alloys containing at least one of W and/or Co on the metal liner. This novel alloy provides EM and/or stress migration resistance, and/or TDDB resistance in these copper interconnects, comparable to thicker layers of other alloys found in substantially larger circuits and allows the miniaturization of the circuit without having to use thicker EM and/or TDDB resistant alloys previously used thereby enhancing the miniaturization, i.e., these novel alloy layers can be miniaturized along with the circuit and provide substantially the same EM and/or TDDB resistance as thicker layers of different alloy materials previously used that lose some of their EM and/or TDDB resistance when used as thinner layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Seth L. Knupp, Son Nguyen, Takeshi Nogami, Vamsi K. Paruchuri, Hosadurga K. Shobha, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20190368044
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Publication number: 20190368045
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Patent number: 10428428
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus for depositing a material on a substrate is provided. The deposition apparatus has a processing chamber defining a processing space in which the substrate is arranged, an ultraviolet radiation assembly configured to emit ultraviolet radiation and a microwave radiation assembly configured to emit microwave radiation into an excitation space that can be the same as the processing space, and a gas feed assembly configured to feed a precursor gas into the processing space and a reactive gas into the excitation space. The ultraviolet radiation assembly and the microwave radiation assembly are operated in combination to excite the reactive gas in the excitation space. The material is deposited on the substrate from the reaction of the excited reactive gas and the precursor gas. A method for using the deposition apparatus to deposit a material on a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini
  • Publication number: 20180204759
    Abstract: Integrated circuits including at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and methods of manufacturing generally include a surface of the integrated circuit. At least two electrically conductive interconnect lines are separated by a space of less than 90 nm and are formed on the surface. Each of the at least two interconnect lines includes a metal cap, a copper conductor having an average grain size greater than a line width of the interconnect. A liner layer is provided, wherein the liner layer and the metal cap encapsulate the copper conductor. A dielectric layer overlaying the at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and extending along sidewalls thereof is provided, wherein the dielectric layer is configured to provide an airgap between the at least two interconnect lines at the spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: ROBERT L. BRUCE, ALFRED GRILL, ERIC A. JOSEPH, TEDDIE P. MAGBITANG, HIROYUKI MIYAZOE, DEBORAH A. NEUMAYER
  • Patent number: 9947622
    Abstract: An electrical device including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald F. Canaperi, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Takeshi Nogami, Deepika Priyadarshini, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Patent number: 9768288
    Abstract: Hall effect devices and field effect transistors are formed incorporating a carbon-based nanostructure layer such as carbon nanotubes and/or graphene with a sacrificial metal layer formed there over to protect the carbon-based nanostructure layer during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Christos D. Dimitrakopoulos, Alfred Grill, Timothy J. McArdle, Dirk Pfeiffer, Katherine L. Saenger, Robert L. Wisnieff
  • Patent number: 9698043
    Abstract: A substrate incorporating semiconductor regions electrically isolated by shallow trenches filled with hexagonal, textured or columnar boron nitride. A process for filling shallow trenches in a semiconductor substrate with columnar textured boron nitride using pulsed plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (Pulsed PECVD) and plasma assisted atomic layer deposition (PAALD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Stephan A. Cohen, Alfred Grill, Deborah A. Neumayer
  • Publication number: 20170186881
    Abstract: Hall effect devices and field effect transistors are formed incorporating a carbon-based nanostructure layer such as carbon nanotubes and/or graphene with a sacrificial metal layer formed there over to protect the carbon-based nanostructure layer during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: JACK O. CHU, CHRISTOS D. DIMITRAKOPOULOS, ALFRED GRILL, TIMOTHY J. McARDLE, DIRK PFEIFFER, KATHERINE L. SAENGER, ROBERT L. WISNIEFF
  • Patent number: 9691705
    Abstract: An electrical device including an opening in a low-k dielectric material, and a copper including structure present within the opening for transmitting electrical current. A liner is present between the opening and the copper including structure. The liner includes a superlattice structure comprised of a metal oxide layer, a metal layer present on the metal oxide layer, and a metal nitride layer that is present on the metal layer. A first layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the low-k dielectric material is one of said metal oxide layer and a final layer of the superlattice structure that is in direct contact with the copper including structure is one of the metal nitride layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald F. Canaperi, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Son V. Nguyen, Takeshi Nogami, Deepika Priyadarshini, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Patent number: 9607825
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide hydrogen-free dielectric films and methods of fabrication. A hydrogen-free precursor, such as tetraisocyanatosilane, and hydrogen-free reactants, such as nitrogen, oxygen (O2/O3) and nitrous oxide are used with chemical vapor deposition processes (PECVD, thermal CVD, SACVD, HDP CVD, and PE and Thermal ALD) to create hydrogen-free dielectric films. In some embodiments, there are multilayer dielectric films with sublayers of various materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. In embodiments, the hydrogen-free reactants may include Tetra Isocyanato Silane, along with a hydrogen-free gas including, but not limited to, N2, O2, O3, N2O, CO2, CO and a combination thereof of these H-Free gases. Plasma may be used to enhance the reaction between the TICS and the other H-free gasses. The plasma may be controlled during film deposition to achieve variable density within each sublayer of the films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Canaperi, Alfred Grill, Sanjay C. Mehta, Son Van Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini, Hosadurga Shobha, Matthew T. Shoudy
  • Patent number: 9590054
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide semiconductor structures and methods for making the same that include a boron nitride (BN) spacer on a gate stack, such as a gate stack of a planar FET or FinFET. The boron nitride spacer is fabricated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and/or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) techniques to produce a boron nitride spacer at relatively low temperatures that are conducive to devices made from materials such as silicon (Si), silicon germanium (SiGe), germanium (Ge), and/or III-V compounds. Furthermore, the boron nitride spacer may be fabricated to have various desirable properties, including a hexagonal textured structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Alfred Grill, Deborah A. Neumayer, Dae-Gyu Park, Norma E. Sosa, Min Yang
  • Patent number: 9558934
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide hydrogen-free dielectric films and methods of fabrication. A hydrogen-free precursor, such as tetraisocyanatosilane, and hydrogen-free reactants, such as nitrogen, oxygen (O2/O3) and nitrous oxide are used with chemical vapor deposition processes (PECVD, thermal CVD, SACVD, HDP CVD, and PE and Thermal ALD) to create hydrogen-free dielectric films. In some embodiments, there are multilayer dielectric films with sublayers of various materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. In embodiments, the hydrogen-free reactants may include Tetra Isocyanato Silane, along with a hydrogen-free gas including, but not limited to, N2, O2, O3, N2O, CO2, CO and a combination thereof of these H-Free gases. Plasma may be used to enhance the reaction between the TICS and the other H-free gasses. The plasma may be controlled during film deposition to achieve variable density within each sublayer of the films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Francis Canaperi, Alfred Grill, Sanjay C. Mehta, Son Van Nguyen, Deepika Priyadarshini, Hosadurga Shobha, Matthew T. Shoudy