Patents by Inventor James J. Kelly

James J. Kelly 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: 10615027
    Abstract: Various methods and structures for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes in a top layer of a semiconductor stack a semiconductor contact located according to a first horizontal pitch. A first metallization layer is disposed directly on the top layer and includes a metallization contact located according to a second horizontal pitch, the second horizontal pitch being different from the first horizontal pitch such that the location of the metallization contact is vertically mismatched from the location of the semiconductor contact. A second metallization layer is disposed directly on the first metallization layer. The second metallization layer includes a super viabar structure that forms an electrical interconnect, in the second metallization layer, between the semiconductor contact in the top layer of the semiconductor stack and the metallization contact in the first metallization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Su Chen Fan, Hsueh-Chung Chen, Yann Mignot, James J. Kelly, Terence B. Hook
  • Publication number: 20200058593
    Abstract: Various methods and structures for fabricating BEOL metallization layer including at least one bulk cobalt contact, the at least one bulk cobalt contact including a replacement non-cobalt metal cap integral to the at least one bulk cobalt contact. The method includes performing selective deposition, by a chemical exchange reaction of metal between a non-cobalt metal and Cobalt in the at least one bulk cobalt contact, of the replacement non-cobalt metal cap integrally formed in a top surface region of the bulk cobalt contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: James J. KELLY, Cornelius Brown PEETHALA
  • Publication number: 20200020581
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating void-free metallic interconnect structures with self-formed diffusion barrier layers. A seed layer is deposited to line an etched opening in a dielectric layer. A metallic capping layer is selectively deposited on upper portions and upper sidewall surfaces of the seed layer which define an aperture into the etched opening. An electroplating process is performed to plate metallic material on exposed surfaces of the seed layer within the etched opening, which are not covered by the capping layer to form a metallic interconnect. The capping layer prohibits plating of metallic material on the capping layer and closing the aperture before the electroplating process is complete. A thermal anneal process is performed to cause the metallic material of the metallic capping layer to diffuse though the metallic interconnect and create a self-formed diffusion barrier layer between the metallic interconnect and the surfaces of the etched opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph F. Maniscalco, Koichi Motoyama, James J. Kelly, Hosadurga Shobha, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20200020577
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating void-free metallic interconnect structures with self-formed diffusion barrier layers. A seed layer is deposited to line an etched opening in a dielectric layer. A metallic capping layer is selectively deposited on upper portions and upper sidewall surfaces of the seed layer which define an aperture into the etched opening. An electroplating process is performed to plate metallic material on exposed surfaces of the seed layer within the etched opening, which are not covered by the capping layer to form a metallic interconnect. The capping layer prohibits plating of metallic material on the capping layer and closing the aperture before the electroplating process is complete. A thermal anneal process is performed to cause the metallic material of the metallic capping layer to diffuse though the metallic interconnect and create a self-formed diffusion barrier layer between the metallic interconnect and the surfaces of the etched opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph F. Maniscalco, Koichi Motoyama, James J. Kelly, Hosadurga Shobha, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 10529622
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating void-free metallic interconnect structures with self-formed diffusion barrier layers. A seed layer is deposited to line an etched opening in a dielectric layer. A metallic capping layer is selectively deposited on upper portions and upper sidewall surfaces of the seed layer which define an aperture into the etched opening. An electroplating process is performed to plate metallic material on exposed surfaces of the seed layer within the etched opening, which are not covered by the capping layer to form a metallic interconnect. The capping layer prohibits plating of metallic material on the capping layer and closing the aperture before the electroplating process is complete. A thermal anneal process is performed to cause the metallic material of the metallic capping layer to diffuse though the metallic interconnect and create a self-formed diffusion barrier layer between the metallic interconnect and the surfaces of the etched opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph F. Maniscalco, Koichi Motoyama, James J. Kelly, Hosadurga Shobha, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20190311558
    Abstract: A non-integrated monitoring device and method for monitoring a subject vehicle includes monitoring, via a non-integrated sensor, a physical parameter being emitted from the subject vehicle. The physical parameter being emitted from the subject vehicle is analyzed to determine a dynamic signature for the subject vehicle. A baseline signature for the subject vehicle is obtained, and compared to the dynamic signature for the subject vehicle. Occurrence of a fault in a subsystem of the subject vehicle is detected based upon the comparing of the baseline signature for the subject vehicle and the dynamic signature for the subject vehicle, and the occurrence of the fault is communicated to an operator of the subject vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anil Bika, Azeem Sarwar, Nathan Thompson, Jason Prince, James J. Kelly, III, Steven J. Samolinski
  • Patent number: 10395986
    Abstract: A method is presented for creating a fully-aligned via (FAV) by employing selective metal deposition. The method includes forming metal lines within a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer, forming a second ILD layer over the first ILD layer, forming a lithographic stack over the second ILD layer to define areas where via growth is prevented, recessing the lithographic stack to expose a top surface of the metal lines where via growth is permitted by the lithographic stack, and performing metal growth over the exposed top surface of the metal lines where via growth is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, James J. Kelly, Donald F. Canaperi, Michael Rizzolo, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 10361119
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming an enlarged contact area. The method includes forming a trench for receiving a first conductive material, forming a noble metal cap over a portion of the first conductive material, forming a dielectric capping layer over the noble metal cap, etching a portion of the first conductive material to create a via anchoring structure and an undercut region exposing a bottom surface of the noble metal cap, and depositing a plurality of liners such that one liner of the plurality of liners directly contacts an entirety of the exposed bottom surface of the noble metal cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang, James J. Kelly, Cornelius Brown Peethala
  • Patent number: 10134674
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a metallization layer of a semiconductor device in which copper is used for an interconnect material and cobalt is used to encapsulate the copper. A material is introduced that will interact with the cobalt to cause a hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) crystal structure of cobalt to change to a face-centered-cubic (FCC) crystal structure of cobalt, the FCC crystal structure providing a resistance of the cobalt to migrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin David Briggs, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Roger Allan Quon, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus Eduardus Standaert
  • Patent number: 9966305
    Abstract: A method for forming an ion flow barrier between conductors includes forming a barrier material through a via in an interlevel dielectric layer and onto a first metal layer and recessing the barrier material to form a thickness of the barrier material on the first metal layer in the via, the thickness forming an ion flow barrier. A second metal layer is deposited in the via over the ion flow barrier such that, during operation, the ion flow barrier reduces ion flow between the first metal layer and the second metal layer while maintaining low resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Demarest, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Christopher J. Penny, Oscar van der Straten
  • Publication number: 20180005953
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a metallization layer of a semiconductor device in which copper is used for an interconnect material and cobalt is used to encapsulate the copper. A material is introduced that will interact with the cobalt to cause a hexagonal-close-packed (HCP) crystal structure of cobalt to change to a face-centered-cubic (FCC) crystal structure of cobalt, the FCC crystal structure providing a resistance of the cobalt to migrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Roger Allan Quon, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus Eduardus Standaert
  • Patent number: 9793213
    Abstract: A method for forming an ion flow barrier between conductors includes forming a barrier material through a via in an interlevel dielectric layer and onto a first metal layer and recessing the barrier material to form a thickness of the barrier material on the first metal layer in the via, the thickness forming an ion flow barrier. A second metal layer is deposited in the via over the ion flow barrier such that, during operation, the ion flow barrier reduces ion flow between the first metal layer and the second metal layer while maintaining low resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Demarest, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Christopher J. Penny, Oscar van der Straten
  • Patent number: 9780035
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a metallization layer of a semiconductor device, in which copper is used for an interconnect material and cobalt is used to encapsulate the copper, includes introducing a material that will form an alloy with cobalt and resist a degradation of an effect of the cobalt on encapsulating the copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin David Briggs, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Roger Allan Quon, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus Eduardus Standaert
  • Publication number: 20170236784
    Abstract: A method for forming an ion flow barrier between conductors includes forming a barrier material through a via in an interlevel dielectric layer and onto a first metal layer and recessing the barrier material to form a thickness of the barrier material on the first metal layer in the via, the thickness forming an ion flow barrier. A second metal layer is deposited in the via over the ion flow barrier such that, during operation, the ion flow barrier reduces ion flow between the first metal layer and the second metal layer while maintaining low resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Demarest, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Christopher J. Penny, Oscar van der Straten
  • Publication number: 20170236748
    Abstract: A method for forming an ion flow barrier between conductors includes forming a barrier material through a via in an interlevel dielectric layer and onto a first metal layer and recessing the barrier material to form a thickness of the barrier material on the first metal layer in the via, the thickness forming an ion flow barrier. A second metal layer is deposited in the via over the ion flow barrier such that, during operation, the ion flow barrier reduces ion flow between the first metal layer and the second metal layer while maintaining low resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Demarest, James J. Kelly, Koichi Motoyama, Christopher J. Penny, Oscar van der Straten
  • Patent number: 9716065
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and integrated circuit structures. One method includes: forming a via opening through a trench to expose a portion of an underlying metal line; electrolessly plating a metal layer at a bottom of the via opening over the exposed portion of the underlying metal line, the electrolessly plated metal layer formed of a metal not including copper; depositing a cobalt layer to cover the bottom of the via opening over the electrolessly plated metal layer and sidewalls of the via opening; and growing a copper layer over the cobalt layer to form a line within the trench and a via filling the via opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Kelly, Takeshi Nogami
  • Publication number: 20170077037
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and integrated circuit structures. One method includes: forming a via opening through a trench to expose a portion of an underlying metal line; electrolessly plating a metal layer at a bottom of the via opening over the exposed portion of the underlying metal line, the electrolessly plated metal layer formed of a metal not including copper; depositing a cobalt layer to cover the bottom of the via opening over the electrolessly plated metal layer and sidewalls of the via opening; and growing a copper layer over the cobalt layer to form a line within the trench and a via filling the via opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Kelly, Takeshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 9329049
    Abstract: A method of providing directions to a vehicle service facility includes generating a vehicle service alert that includes vehicle operating data, sending the vehicle service alert to a vehicle telematics service subscriber, offering the vehicle telematics service subscriber a choice of one or more vehicle service facilities for responding to the vehicle service alert, and if the vehicle owner chooses a vehicle service facility, providing turn-by-turn directions to the chosen vehicle service facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Ryan M. Edwards, James J. Kelly, III, Heather C. Michalak
  • Patent number: 9318347
    Abstract: A method of particle mitigation which includes obtaining a semiconductor wafer having a nonfunctional backside and a functional frontside on which semiconductor devices are formed by one or more lithography processes; coating the backside with a layer comprising silicon or amorphous carbon; planarizing the coated backside by a planarizing process; placing the semiconductor wafer onto a wafer chuck such that the wafer chuck makes direct contact with the coated backside; and while maintaining the coated backside in direct contact with the wafer chuck, performing a first lithographic process on the frontside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, James J. Demarest, Alex R. Hubbard, Richard Johnson, Ryan O. Jung, James J. Kelly, Sanjay C. Mehta, Alexander Reznicek, Allan W. Upham
  • Publication number: 20160049311
    Abstract: A method of particle mitigation which includes obtaining a semiconductor wafer having a nonfunctional backside and a functional frontside on which semiconductor devices are formed by one or more lithography processes; coating the backside with a layer comprising silicon or amorphous carbon; planarizing the coated backside by a planarizing process; placing the semiconductor wafer onto a wafer chuck such that the wafer chuck makes direct contact with the coated backside; and while maintaining the coated backside in direct contact with the wafer chuck, performing a first lithographic process on the frontside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, James J. Demarest, Alex R. Hubbard, Richard Johnson, Ryan O. Jung, James J. Kelly, Sanjay C. Mehta, Alexander Reznicek, Allan W. Upham