Patents by Inventor David J. Frank

David J. Frank 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: 9425279
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a reduced variation in threshold voltage includes a semiconductor substrate with a high dielectric-constant (high-k) layer deposited in a gate trench and on a semiconductor portion of the substrate. At least one workfunction layer has an arrangement of first and second workfunction granular portions on an upper surface of the high-k layer to define a workfunction of the semiconductor device. The arrangement of first and second workfunction granular portions define a granularity of the at least one workfunction layer. A gate contact material fills the gate trench, wherein the high-k layer has a concentration of oxygen vacancies based on the granularity of the at least one work function metal layer so as to reduce the variation in the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, David J. Frank
  • Patent number: 8872274
    Abstract: An upside-down p-FET is provided on a donor substrate. The upside-down p-FET includes: self-terminating e-SiGe source and drain regions; a cap of self-aligning silicide/germanide over the e-SiGe source and drain regions; a silicon channel region connecting the e-SiGe source and drain regions; buried oxide above the silicon channel region; and a gate controlling current flow from the e-SiGe source region to the e-SiGe drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M Cohen, David J Frank, Isaac Lauer
  • Patent number: 8785995
    Abstract: Ferroelectric semiconductor switching devices are provided, including field effect transistor (FET) devices having gate stack structures formed with a ferroelectric layer disposed between a gate contact and a thin conductive layer (“quantum conductive layer”). The gate contact and ferroelectric layer serve to modulate an effective work function of the thin conductive layer. The thin conductive layer with the modulated work function is coupled to a semiconductor channel layer to modulate current flow through the semiconductor and achieve a steep sub-threshold slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Catherine A. Dubourdieu, David J. Frank, Martin M. Frank, Vijay Narayanan, Paul M. Solomon, Thomas N. Theis
  • Publication number: 20140183637
    Abstract: An upside-down p-FET is provided on a donor substrate. The upside-down p-FET includes: self-terminating e-SiGe source and drain regions; a cap of self-aligning silicide/germanide over the e-SiGe source and drain regions; a silicon channel region connecting the e-SiGe source and drain regions; buried oxide above the silicon channel region; and a gate controlling current flow from the e-SiGe source region to the e-SiGe drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUY M. COHEN, DAVID J. FRANK, ISAAC LAUER
  • Publication number: 20140145264
    Abstract: Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. LaTulipe, JR., Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Patent number: 8681409
    Abstract: A nonvolatile nano-electromechanical system device is provided and includes a cantilever structure, including a beam having an initial shape, which is supported at one end thereof by a supporting base and a beam deflector, including a phase change material (PCM), disposed on a portion of the beam in a non-slip condition with a material of the beam, the PCM taking one of an amorphous phase or a crystalline phase and deflecting the beam from the initial shape when taking the crystalline phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20120293236
    Abstract: A nonvolatile nano-electromechanical system device is provided and includes a cantilever structure, including a beam having an initial shape, which is supported at one end thereof by a supporting base and a beam deflector, including a phase change material (PCM), disposed on a portion of the beam in a non-slip condition with a material of the beam, the PCM taking one of an amorphous phase or a crystalline phase and deflecting the beam from the initial shape when taking the crystalline phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20120292677
    Abstract: Ferroelectric semiconductor switching devices are provided, including field effect transistor (FET) devices having gate stack structures formed with a ferroelectric layer disposed between a gate contact and a thin conductive layer (“quantum conductive layer”) . The gate contact and ferroelectric layer serve to modulate an effective work function of the thin conductive layer. The thin conductive layer with the modulated work function is coupled to a semiconductor channel layer to modulate current flow through the semiconductor and achieve a steep sub-threshold slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Catherine A. Dubourdieu, David J. Frank, Martin M. Frank, Vijay Narayanan, Paul M. Solomon, Thomas N. Theis
  • Patent number: 8314983
    Abstract: A nonvolatile nano-electromechanical system device is provided and includes a cantilever structure, including a beam having an initial shape, which is supported at one end thereof by a supporting base and a beam deflector, including a phase change material (PCM), disposed on a portion of the beam in a non-slip condition with a material of the beam, the PCM taking one of an amorphous phase or a crystalline phase and deflecting the beam from the initial shape when taking the crystalline phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20120179412
    Abstract: Circuits for measuring and characterizing random variations in device characteristics of integrated circuit devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Azeez Bhavnagarwala, David J. Frank, Stephen V. Kosonocky
  • Patent number: 8214169
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for measuring and characterizing random variations in device characteristics of semiconductor integrated circuit devices, which enable circuit designers to accurately measure and characterize random variations in device characteristics (such as transistor threshold voltage) between neighboring devices resulting from random sources such as dopant fluctuations and line edge roughness, for purposes of integrated circuit design and analysis. In one aspect, a method for characterizing random variations in device mismatch (e.g., threshold voltage mismatch) between a pair of device (e.g., transistors) is performed by obtaining subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data for the device pair, and then determining a distribution in voltage threshold mismatch for the device pair directly from the corresponding subthreshold DC voltage characteristic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Azeez Bhavnagarwala, David J. Frank, Stephen V. Kosonocky
  • Publication number: 20110241073
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an upside-down p-FET includes: fully etching source and drain regions in a donor substrate by etching a silicon-on-insulator layer through buried oxide and partially etching the silicon substrate; refilling a bottom and sidewall surfaces of the etched source and drain regions with epitaxial silicide/germanide to form e-SiGe source and drain regions; capping the source and drain regions with self-aligning silicide/germanide; providing a silicide layer formed over the gate conductor line; providing a first stress liner over the gate and the e-SiGe source and drain regions; depositing a planarized dielectric over the self-aligning silicide/germanide; inverting the donor substrate; bonding the donor substrate to a host wafer; and selectively exposing the buried oxide and the e-SiGe source and drain regions by removing the donor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: GUY M. COHEN, David J. Frank, Isaac Lauer
  • Publication number: 20110109952
    Abstract: A nonvolatile nano-electromechanical system device is provided and includes a cantilever structure, including a beam having an initial shape, which is supported at one end thereof by a supporting base and a beam deflector, including a phase change material (PCM), disposed on a portion of the beam in a non-slip condition with a material of the beam, the PCM taking one of an amorphous phase or a crystalline phase and deflecting the beam from the initial shape when taking the crystalline phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20100133616
    Abstract: Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. La Tulipe, JR., Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Patent number: 7666723
    Abstract: Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. La Tulipe, Jr., Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Patent number: 7488630
    Abstract: A method which is intended to facilitate and/or simplify the process of fabricating interlayer vias by selective modification of the FEOL film stack on a transfer wafer is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which two dimensional devices are prepared for subsequent integration in a third dimension at the transition between normal FEOL processes by using an existing interlayer contact mask to define regions in which layers of undesirable dielectrics and metal are selectively removed and refilled with a middle-of-the-line (MOL) compatible dielectric film. As presented, the inventive method is compatible with standard FEOL/MOL integration schemes, and it guarantees a homogeneous dielectric film stack specifically in areas where interlayer contacts are to be formed, thus allowing the option of a straightforward integration path, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. La Tulipe, Jr., Leathen Shi, Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Publication number: 20080217782
    Abstract: A method which is intended to facilitate and/or simplify the process of fabricating interlayer vias by selective modification of the FEOL film stack on a transfer wafer is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which two dimensional devices are prepared for subsequent integration in a third dimension at the transition between normal FEOL processes by using an existing interlayer contact mask to define regions in which layers of undesirable dielectrics and metal are selectively removed and refilled with a middle-of-the-line (MOL) compatible dielectric film. As presented, the inventive method is compatible with standard FEOL/MOL integration schemes, and it guarantees a homogeneous dielectric film stack specifically in areas where interlayer contacts are to be formed, thus allowing the option of a straightforward integration path, if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. La Tulipe, Leathen Shi, Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Publication number: 20080206977
    Abstract: Methods of wiring to a transistor and a related transistor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes a method of forming wiring to a transistor, the method comprising: forming a transistor on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate using masks that are mirror images of an intended layout, the forming including forming a gate and a source/drain region for each and a channel, the SOI substrate including a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a buried insulator layer and a silicon substrate; forming a dielectric layer over the transistor; bonding the dielectric layer to another substrate; removing the silicon substrate from the SOI substrate to the buried insulator layer; forming a contact to each of the source/drain region and the gate from a channel side of the gate; and forming at least one wiring to the contacts on the channel side of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Douglas C. La Tulipe, Steven E. Steen, Anna W. Topol
  • Patent number: 7342301
    Abstract: A connection device includes a plurality of re-configurable vias that connect a first metal layer to a second metal layer. An actuating element is disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The actuating element changes the configuration of the plurality of re-configurable vias to change the plurality of re-configurable vias between a conductive state and a non-conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Frank, Kathryn W. Guarini, Christopher B. Murray, Xinlin Wang, Hon-Sum Philip Wong
  • Patent number: 7214972
    Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device is provided that includes a localized strained device channel and adjoining source/drain junctions that are unstrained. The MOSFET device has a very high channel carrier mobility, while maintaining a very low leakage junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hussein I. Hanafi, David J. Frank, Kevin K. Chan