Patents by Inventor Angelo Pinto

Angelo Pinto 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).

  • Patent number: 8043947
    Abstract: A method for semiconductor processing provides a DSB semiconductor body having a first crystal orientation, a second crystal orientation, and a border region disposed between the first and second crystal orientations. The border region further has a defect associated with an interface of the first crystal orientation and second the second crystal orientation, wherein the defect generally extends a distance into the semiconductor body from a surface of the body. A sacrificial portion of the semiconductor body is removed from the surface thereof, wherein removing the sacrificial portion at least partially removes the defect. The sacrificial portion can be defined by oxidizing the surface at low temperature, wherein the oxidation at least partially consumes the defect. The sacrificial portion can also be removed by CMP. An STI feature may be further formed over the defect after removal of the sacrificial portion, therein consuming any remaining defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Weize Xiong, Manfred Ramin
  • Publication number: 20110180881
    Abstract: Optimizing carrier mobilities in MOS transistors in CMOS ICs requires forming (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells appropriate for the technology node. This invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations. Starting with a (110) direct silicon bonded (DSB) layer on a (100) substrate, regions in the DSB layer are amorphized and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Lateral templating by the DSB layer is reduced by amorphization of the upper portion of the (110) regions through a partially absorbing amorphization hard mask. Boundary morphology is less than 40 nanometers wide. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Frank S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110151651
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit device that includes a plurality of multiple gate FinFETs (MuGFETs) is disclosed. Fins of different crystal orientations for PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs are formed through amorphization and crystal regrowth on a direct silicon bonded (DSB) hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrate. PMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (110) crystal orientations. NMOS MuGFET fins are formed with channels defined by fin sidewall surfaces having (100) crystal orientations in a Manhattan layout with the sidewall channels of the different PMOS and NMOS MuGFETs aligned at 0° or 90° rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Weize Xiong, Cloves Rinn Cleavelin, Angelo Pinto, Rick L. Wise
  • Patent number: 7943451
    Abstract: Optimizing carrier mobilities in MOS transistors in CMOS ICs requires forming (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells appropriate for the technology node. This invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations. Starting with a (110) direct silicon bonded (DSB) layer on a (100) substrate, regions in the DSB layer are amorphized and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Lateral templating by the DSB layer is reduced by amorphization of the upper portion of the (110) regions through a partially absorbing amorphization hard mask. Boundary morphology is less than 40 nanometers wide. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Frank S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7943479
    Abstract: A method for semiconductor processing provides a DSB semiconductor body having a first crystal orientation layer, and a second crystal orientation layer, and a border region disposed between the first and second crystal orientations. A high-k metal gate stack is deposited over the first crystal orientation layer that comprises an insulation layer, a high-k dielectric layer, a first metal layer, and a second metal layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Manuel A. Quevedo-Lopez
  • Publication number: 20110111553
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming super steep doping profiles in MOS transistor structures. The method comprises forming a carbon containing layer (110) beneath the gate dielectric (50) and source and drain regions (80) of a MOS transistor. The carbon containing layer (110) will prevent the diffusion of dopants into the region (40) directly beneath the gate dielectric layer (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Babcock, Angelo Pinto, Scott Balster, Alfred Haeusler, Gregory E. Howard
  • Publication number: 20110108893
    Abstract: Optimizing carrier mobilities in MOS transistors in CMOS ICs requires forming (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS. Methods such as amorphization and templated recrystallization (ATR) have disadvantages for fabrication of deep submicron CMOS. This invention is a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) which has (100) and (110)-oriented regions. The method forms a directly bonded silicon (DSB) layer of (110)-oriented silicon on a (100)-oriented substrate. The DSB layer is removed in the NMOS regions and a (100)-oriented silicon layer is formed by selective epitaxial growth (SEG), using the substrate as the seed layer. NMOS transistors are formed on the SEG layer, while PMOS transistors are formed on the DSB layer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Frank S. Johnson, Benjamin P. McKee, Shaofeng Yu
  • Patent number: 7897447
    Abstract: A method for reducing defects at an interface between a amorphized, recrystallized cleaved wafer layer and an unamorphized cleaved wafer layer can comprise an anneal and an exposure to hydrochloric acid. The anneal and acid exposure can be performed within an epitaxial reactor chamber to minimize wafer transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Angelo Pinto
  • Patent number: 7897994
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit device that includes a plurality of MuGFETs is disclosed. A PMOS fin of a MuGFET is formed on a substrate. The PMOS fin includes a channel of a first surface of a first crystal orientation. A NMOS fin of another MuGFET is formed on the substrate. The NMOS fin includes a channel on the substrate at one of 0° and 90° to the PMOS fin and includes a second surface of a second crystal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Weize Xiong, Cloves Rinn Cleavelin, Angelo Pinto, Rick L. Wise
  • Patent number: 7892908
    Abstract: Optimizing carrier mobilities in MOS transistors in CMOS ICs requires forming (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS. Methods such as amorphization and templated recrystallization (ATR) have disadvantages for fabrication of deep submicron CMOS. This invention is a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) which has (100) and (110)-oriented regions. The method forms a directly bonded silicon (DSB) layer of (110)-oriented silicon on a (100)-oriented substrate. The DSB layer is removed in the NMOS regions and a (100)-oriented silicon layer is formed by selective epitaxial growth (SEG), using the substrate as the seed layer. NMOS transistors are formed on the SEG layer, while PMOS transistors are formed on the DSB layer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Frank S. Johnson, Benjamin P. McKee, Shaofeng Yu
  • Patent number: 7883977
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming super steep doping profiles in MOS transistor structures. The method comprises forming a carbon containing layer (110) beneath the gate dielectric (50) and source and drain regions (80) of a MOS transistor. The carbon containing layer (110) will prevent the diffusion of dopants into the region (40) directly beneath the gate dielectric layer (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Babcock, Angelo Pinto, Scott Balster, Alfred Haeusler, Gregory E. Howard
  • Patent number: 7855111
    Abstract: Hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrates for CMOS ICs include (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS for optimizing carrier mobilities in the respective MOS transistors. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells. This invention provides a method of forming a HOT substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations, with boundary morphology less than 40 nanometers wide. Starting with a direct silicon bonded (DSB) wafer of a (100) substrate wafer and a (110) DBS layer, NMOS regions in the DSB layer are amorphized by a double implant and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Crystal defects during anneal are prevented by a low temperature oxide layer on the top surface of the wafer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Haowen Bu, Shaofeng Yu, Angelo Pinto, Ajith Varghese
  • Publication number: 20100304547
    Abstract: A device and method of reducing residual STI corner defects in a hybrid orientation transistor comprising, forming a direct silicon bonded substrate wherein a second silicon layer with a second crystal orientation is bonded to a handle substrate with a first crystal orientation, forming a pad oxide layer on the second silicon layer, forming a nitride layer on the pad oxide layer, forming an isolation trench within the direct silicon bonded substrate through the second silicon layer and into the handle substrate, patterning a PMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate utilizing photoresist including a portion of the isolation trench, implanting and amorphizing an NMOS region of the direct silicon bonded substrate, removing the photoresist, performing solid phase epitaxy, performing a recrystallization anneal, forming an STI liner, completing front end processing, and performing back end processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Periannan R. Chidambaram, Rick L. Wise
  • Publication number: 20100279481
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the integrated circuit is disclosed. The integrated circuit includes vertical bipolar transistors (30, 50, 60), each having a buried collector region (26?). A carbon-bearing diffusion barrier (28c) is disposed over the buried collector region (26?), to inhibit the diffusion of dopant from the buried collector region (26?) into the overlying epitaxial layer (28). The diffusion barrier (28c) may be formed by incorporating a carbon source into the epitaxial formation of the overlying layer (28), or by ion implantation. In the case of ion implantation of carbon or SiGeC, masks (52, 62) may be used to define the locations of the buried collector regions (26?) that are to receive the carbon; for example, portions underlying eventual collector contacts (33, 44c) may be masked from the carbon implant so that dopant from the buried collector region (26?) can diffuse upward to meet the contact (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Babcock, Angelo Pinto, Manfred Schiekofer, Scott G. Balster, Gregory E. Howard, Alfred Hausler
  • Publication number: 20100216286
    Abstract: A method for reducing defects at an interface between a amorphized, recrystallized cleaved wafer layer and an unamorphized cleaved wafer layer can comprise an anneal and an exposure to hydrochloric acid. The anneal and acid exposure can be performed within an epitaxial reactor chamber to minimize wafer transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Angelo Pinto
  • Patent number: 7767510
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one aspect, the method includes providing a strained silicon layer having a crystal orientation located over a semiconductor substrate having a different crystal orientation. A mask is placed over a portion of the strained silicon layer to leave an exposed portion of the strained silicon layer. The exposed portion of the strained silicon layer is amorphized and re-crystallized to a crystal structure having an orientation the same as the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rick L. Wise, Angelo Pinto
  • Publication number: 20100047993
    Abstract: A method for semiconductor processing provides a DSB semiconductor body having a first crystal orientation layer, and a second crystal orientation layer, and a border region disposed between the first and second crystal orientations. A high-k metal gate stack is deposited over the first crystal orientation layer that comprises an insulation layer, a high-k dielectric layer, a first metal layer, and a second metal layer thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Angelo Pinto, Manuel A. Quevedo-Lopez
  • Publication number: 20100032727
    Abstract: Hybrid orientation technology (HOT) substrates for CMOS ICs include (100)-oriented silicon regions for NMOS and (110) regions for PMOS for optimizing carrier mobilities in the respective MOS transistors. Boundary regions between (100) and (110) regions must be sufficiently narrow to support high gate densities and SRAM cells. This invention provides a method of forming a HOT substrate containing regions with two different silicon crystal lattice orientations, with boundary morphology less than 40 nanometers wide. Starting with a direct silicon bonded (DSB) wafer of a (100) substrate wafer and a (110) DBS layer, NMOS regions in the DSB layer are amorphized by a double implant and recrystallized on a (100) orientation by solid phase epitaxy (SPE). Crystal defects during anneal are prevented by a low temperature oxide layer on the top surface of the wafer. An integrated circuit formed with the inventive method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Haowen Bu, Shaofeng Yu, Angelo Pinto, Ajith Varghese
  • Patent number: 7655523
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for forming super steep doping profiles in MOS transistor structures. The method comprises forming a carbon containing layer (110) beneath the gate dielectric (50) and source and drain regions (80) of a MOS transistor. The carbon containing layer (110) will prevent the diffusion of dopants into the region (40) directly beneath the gate dielectric layer (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Babcock, Angelo Pinto, Scott Balster, Alfred Haeusler, Gregory E. Howard
  • Patent number: 7642197
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there are eSiGe CMOS devices and methods of making them. The method of making a substrate for a CMOS device can include providing a DSB silicon substrate including a first bonded to a second layer, wherein each layer has a (100) oriented surface and a first direction and a second direction and the first direction of the first layer is approximately aligned with the second direction of the second layer. The method can also include performing amorphization on a selected region of the first layer to form a localized amorphous silicon region and recrystallizing the localized amorphous silicon region across the interface using the second layer as a template, such that the first direction of the first layer in the selected region is approximately aligned with the first direction of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Periannan Chidambaram, Angelo Pinto