Patents by Inventor James H. Comfort

James H. Comfort 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: 6131258
    Abstract: A capacitor structure with a generally L-shaped non-conductor having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the vertical portion defining a first opening formed therein; a generally U-shaped conductor formed within the first opening; and a generally L-shaped conductor formed exterior to the generally L-shaped non-conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Lynn Saenger, James H. Comfort, Alfred Grill, David Edward Kotecki
  • Patent number: 6027966
    Abstract: A capacitor structure is provided, with a first conductor on top of a substrate, a first non-conductor on top of and substantially in register with the first conductor, the first conductor and first non-conductor having a first opening formed therein, a non-conductive sidewall spacer formed in the first opening, the non-conductive sidewall spacer having a second opening formed therein, and a second conductor formed in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Lynn Saenger, James H. Comfort, Alfred Grill, David Edward Kotecki
  • Patent number: 5914851
    Abstract: A capacitor structure is provided, with a first conductor on top of a substrate, a first non-conductor on top of and substantially in register with the first conductor, the first conductor and first non-conductor having a first opening formed therein, a non-conductive sidewall spacer formed in the first opening, the non-conductive sidewall spacer having a second opening formed therein, and a second conductor formed in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Lynn Saenger, James H. Comfort, Alfred Grill, David Edward Kotecki
  • Patent number: 5712759
    Abstract: A capacitor structure with a generally L-shaped non-conductor having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the vertical portion defining a first opening formed therein; a generally U-shaped conductor formed within the first opening; and a generally L-shaped conductor formed exterior to the generally L-shaped non-conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine Lynn Saenger, James H. Comfort, Alfred Grill, David Edward Kotecki
  • Patent number: 5308785
    Abstract: The present invention is an isolation structure for use with FET or bipolar devices incorporating a silicon-germanium layer in which the semiconductor devices are isolated by trench structures. A trench is etched through a pad layer, a single crystal silicon layer, a silicon-germanium layer, and finally, into the silicon substrate. The silicon-germanium layer is interposed between the single crystal silicon layer and the silicon substrate and the pad layer covers the single crystal silicon layer. The trench sidewall exposes the silicon-germanium layer. A single crystal silicon layer is formed as a trench liner. This silicon trench liner is then oxidized to passivate the trench isolation. The trench can then be filled with a dielectric without the devices being affected by parasitic leakage caused by the silicon-germanium layer exposed by the trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Comfort, David L. Harame, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 5266813
    Abstract: The present invention is an isolation structure for use with FET or bipolar devices incorporating a silicon-germanium layer in which the semiconductor devices are isolated by trench structures. A trench is etched through a pad layer, a single crystal silicon layer, a silicon-germanium layer, and finally, into the silicon substrate. The silicon-germanium layer is interposed between the single crystal silicon layer and the silicon substrate and the pad layer covers the single crystal silicon layer. The trench sidewall exposes the silicon-germanium layer. A single crystal silicon layer is formed as a trench liner. This silicon trench liner is then oxidized to passivate the trench isolation. The trench can then be filled with a dielectric without the devices being affected by parasitic leakage caused by the silicon-germanium layer exposed by the trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Comfort, David L. Harame, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 5117271
    Abstract: This invention relates to a bipolar transistor which incorporates, in a raised base regime, an emitter, collector pedestal and intrinsic and extrinsic bases all of which are self-aligned. The invention also relates to a process for fabricating such devices which obtains the self-alignment of the above mentioned elements using a single lithographic and masking step. The structure of the transistor, in addition to having the self-aligned elements, incorporates a composite dielectric isolation layer which not only permits the carrying out of a number of functions during device fabrication but also provides for desired electrical characteristics during device operation. The composite isolation layer consists of an oxide layer adjacent the semiconductor surface; a nitride layer on the oxide layer and an oxide layer on the nitride layer in the final structure of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Comfort, Tze-Chiang Chen, Pong-Fei Lu, Bernard S. Meyerson, Yuan-Chen Sun, Denny D. Tang