Patents by Inventor Christopher F. Kirby

Christopher F. Kirby 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: 11522118
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor structure is disclosed. The method comprises forming a superconductor line in a first dielectric layer, forming a resistor with an end coupled to an end of the superconductor line, and forming a second dielectric layer overlying the resistor. The method further comprises etching a tapered opening through the second dielectric layer to the resistor, and performing a contact material fill with a normal metal material to fill the tapered opening and form a normal metal connector coupled to the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Daniel J. O'Donnell, Aurelius L. Graninger, Aaron A. Pesetski
  • Publication number: 20210217949
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor structure is disclosed. The method comprises forming a superconductor line in a first dielectric layer, forming a resistor with an end coupled to an end of the superconductor line, and forming a second dielectric layer overlying the resistor. The method further comprises etching a tapered opening through the second dielectric layer to the resistor, and performing a contact material fill with a normal metal material to fill the tapered opening and form a normal metal connector coupled to the resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, MICHAEL RENNIE, DANIEL J. O'DONNELL, AURELIUS L. GRANINGER, AARON A. PESETSKI
  • Patent number: 10985059
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate and forming a superconducting interconnect element in the first dielectric layer. The superconducting interconnect element includes a top surface aligned with a top surface of the first dielectric layer to form a first interconnect layer. The superconductor device interconnect structure is moved into a dielectric deposition chamber. The method further comprises performing a cleaning process on a top surface of the first interconnect layer in the dielectric deposition chamber to remove oxidization from a top surface of the first interconnect layer, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the first interconnect layer in the dielectric deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Paul Wagner, Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, James T. Kelliher, Khyhouth Lim
  • Patent number: 10763419
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor interconnect structure is disclosed. The method includes forming a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming an interconnect opening in the dielectric layer, and moving the substrate to a deposition chamber. The method further includes depositing a superconducting metal in the interconnect opening, by performing a series of superconducting deposition and cooling processes to maintain a chamber temperature at or below a predetermined temperature until the superconducting metal has a desired thickness, to form a superconducting element in the superconductor interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Vivien M. Luu, Michael Rennie, Sean R. McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20200144114
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate and forming a superconducting interconnect element in the first dielectric layer. The superconducting interconnect element includes a top surface aligned with a top surface of the first dielectric layer to form a first interconnect layer. The superconductor device interconnect structure is moved into a dielectric deposition chamber. The method further comprises performing a cleaning process on a top surface of the first interconnect layer in the dielectric deposition chamber to remove oxidization from a top surface of the first interconnect layer, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the first interconnect layer in the dielectric deposition chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRIAN PAUL WAGNER, CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, MICHAEL RENNIE, JAMES T. KELLIHER, KHYHOUTH LIM
  • Patent number: 10608159
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor device structure is disclosed. The method comprises forming a base electrode in a first dielectric layer, forming a junction material stack over the base electrode, forming a hardmask over the junction material stack, etching away a portion of the junction material stack to form a Josephson junction (JJ) over the base electrode, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the hardmask, the JJ, the base electrode and the first dielectric layer. The method additionally comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to the base electrode to electrically couple the first contact to a first end of the JJ, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer and the hardmask to electrically coupled the second contact to a second end of the JJ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Daniel J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 10312141
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate, and forming a superconducting interconnect element in a first dielectric layer, such that the superconducting interconnect element has a top surface aligned with a top surface of the first dielectric layer to form a first interconnect layer. The method also includes performing a plasma clean on a top surface of the first interconnect layer, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Sandro J. Di Giacomo, Michael Rennie
  • Patent number: 10312142
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor structure is provided. The method comprises forming a superconducting element in a first dielectric layer that has a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the superconducting element, and forming an opening in the second dielectric layer to a top surface of the superconducting element. The method also comprises performing a cleaning process on the top surface of the superconducting element to remove oxides formed on the top surface of the superconducting element at a first processing stage, forming a protective barrier over the top surface of the superconducting element, and moving the superconductor structure to a second processing stage for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Daniel J. O'Donnell, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Patent number: 10276504
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming an interconnect opening in the dielectric layer, and moving the substrate to a deposition chamber. The method further comprises performing a cleaning process on the top surface of the dielectric layer and in the interconnect opening while in the deposition chamber, and depositing a superconducting metal in the interconnect opening while in the deposition chamber to form a superconducting element in the superconductor interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vivien Luu, Christopher F. Kirby, Brian Wagner, Michael Rennie
  • Patent number: 10158062
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first high temperature dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming a base electrode in the first high temperature dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first high temperature dielectric layer, and depositing a second high temperature dielectric layer over the first high temperature dielectric layer and the base electrode. The method further comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to a first end of the base electrode, forming a Josephson junction (JJ) overlying and in contact with the first contact, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the base electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Aurelius L. Graninger
  • Publication number: 20180351072
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor interconnect structure is disclosed. The method includes forming a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming an interconnect opening in the dielectric layer, and moving the substrate to a deposition chamber. The method further includes depositing a superconducting metal in the interconnect opening, by performing a series of superconducting deposition and cooling processes to maintain a chamber temperature at or below a predetermined temperature until the superconducting metal has a desired thickness, to form a superconducting element in the superconductor interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, VIVIEN M. LUU, MICHAEL RENNIE, SEAN R. MCLAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20180337138
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor interconnect structure. The method comprises forming a dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming an interconnect opening in the dielectric layer, and moving the substrate to a deposition chamber. The method further comprises performing a cleaning process on the top surface of the dielectric layer and in the interconnect opening while in the deposition chamber, and depositing a superconducting metal in the interconnect opening while in the deposition chamber to form a superconducting element in the superconductor interconnect structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: VIVIEN LUU, CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, BRIAN WAGNER, MICHAEL RENNIE
  • Publication number: 20180301614
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first high temperature dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming a base electrode in the first high temperature dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first high temperature dielectric layer, and depositing a second high temperature dielectric layer over the first high temperature dielectric layer and the base electrode. The method further comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to a first end of the base electrode, forming a Josephson junction (JJ) overlying and in contact with the first contact, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the base electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, MICHAEL RENNIE, AURELIUS L. GRANINGER
  • Patent number: 10003005
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first high temperature dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming a base electrode in the first high temperature dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first high temperature dielectric layer, and depositing a second high temperature dielectric layer over the first high temperature dielectric layer and the base electrode. The method further comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to a first end of the base electrode, forming a Josephson junction (JJ) overlying and in contact with the first contact, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the base electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Aurelius L. Graninger
  • Publication number: 20180151430
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor structure is provided. The method comprises forming a superconducting element in a first dielectric layer that has a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the superconducting element, and forming an opening in the second dielectric layer to a top surface of the superconducting element. The method also comprises performing a cleaning process on the top surface of the superconducting element to remove oxides formed on the top surface of the superconducting element at a first processing stage, forming a protective barrier over the top surface of the superconducting element, and moving the superconductor structure to a second processing stage for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher F. KIRBY, Michael Rennie, Daniel J. O'Donnell, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Publication number: 20180138389
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconductor device structure is disclosed. The method comprises forming a base electrode in a first dielectric layer, forming a junction material stack over the base electrode, forming a hardmask over the junction material stack, etching away a portion of the junction material stack to form a Josephson junction (JJ) over the base electrode, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the hardmask, the JJ, the base electrode and the first dielectric layer. The method additionally comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to the base electrode to electrically couple the first contact to a first end of the JJ, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer and the hardmask to electrically coupled the second contact to a second end of the JJ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, MICHAEL RENNIE, DANIEL J. O'DONNELL
  • Publication number: 20180062061
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first high temperature dielectric layer overlying a substrate, forming a base electrode in the first high temperature dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first high temperature dielectric layer, and depositing a second high temperature dielectric layer over the first high temperature dielectric layer and the base electrode. The method further comprises forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to a first end of the base electrode, forming a Josephson junction (JJ) overlying and in contact with the first contact, and forming a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the base electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, MICHAEL RENNIE, AURELIUS L. GRANINGER
  • Publication number: 20180053689
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate, and forming a superconducting interconnect element in a first dielectric layer, such that the superconducting interconnect element has a top surface aligned with a top surface of the first dielectric layer to form a first interconnect layer. The method also includes performing a plasma clean on a top surface of the first interconnect layer, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER F. KIRBY, SANDRO J. DI GIACOMO, MICHAEL RENNIE
  • Patent number: 9780285
    Abstract: A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate, and forming a base electrode in the first dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first dielectric layer. The method further comprises forming a Josephson junction (JJ) over the base electrode, depositing a second dielectric layer over the JJ, the base electrode and the first dielectric layer, and forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to the base electrode to electrically couple the first contact to a first end of the JJ, and a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the JJ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher F. Kirby, Michael Rennie, Daniel J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9252182
    Abstract: Photo-conducting infrared sensors are provided including a substrate (e.g., silicon) with one or more trenches formed on a first surface. An infrared-reflective film can be deposited directly or indirectly onto and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. A lead chalcogenide film can be deposited directly or indirectly over the top of the infrared-reflective film and conforming in shape with the first surface of the substrate. Accordingly, the infrared-reflective film is directly or indirectly sandwiched between the substrate and the lead chalcogenide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Knight, Christopher F. Kirby