Patents by Inventor Kelin J. Kuhn

Kelin J. Kuhn 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: 10804357
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani, Anand S. Murthy, Mark Armstrong, Rafael Rios, Abhijit Jayant Pethe, Willy Rachmady
  • Publication number: 20200227520
    Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a nanowire device comprising a substrate comprising source/drain structures adjacent to spacers, and nanowire channel structures disposed between the spacers, wherein the nanowire channel structures are vertically stacked above each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kelin J. KUHN, Seiyon KIM, Rafael RIOS, Stephen M. CEA, Martin D. GILES, Annalisa CAPPELLANI, Titash RAKSHIT, Peter CHANG, Willy RACHMADY
  • Publication number: 20200185526
    Abstract: Non-planar semiconductor devices having hybrid geometry-based active regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a hybrid channel region including a nanowire portion disposed above an omega-FET portion disposed above a fin-FET portion. A gate stack is disposed on exposed surfaces of the hybrid channel region. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. Source and drain regions are disposed on either side of the hybrid channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Seiyon KIM, Rafael RIOS, Fahmida FERDOUSI, Kelin J. KUHN
  • Publication number: 20200152738
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Seiyon KIM, Kelin J. KUHN, Tahir GHANI, Anand S. MURTHY, Mark ARMSTRONG, Rafael RIOS, Abhijit Jayant PETHE, Willy RACHMADY
  • Publication number: 20200152797
    Abstract: Nanowire structures having non-discrete source and drain regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the nanowire. A gate electrode stack surrounds the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires. A pair of non-discrete source and drain regions is disposed on either side of, and adjoining, the discrete channel regions of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen M. CEA, Annalisa CAPPELLANI, Martin D. GILES, Rafael RIOS, Seiyon KIM, Kelin J. KUHN
  • Patent number: 10636871
    Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include forming a nanowire device comprising a substrate comprising source/drain structures adjacent to spacers, and nanowire channel structures disposed between the spacers, wherein the nanowire channel structures are vertically stacked above each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kelin J. Kuhn, Seiyon Kim, Rafael Rios, Stephen M. Cea, Martin D. Giles, Annalisa Cappellani, Titash Rakshit, Peter Chang, Willy Rachmady
  • Patent number: 10593804
    Abstract: Non-planar semiconductor devices having hybrid geometry-based active regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a hybrid channel region including a nanowire portion disposed above an omega-FET portion disposed above a fin-FET portion. A gate stack is disposed on exposed surfaces of the hybrid channel region. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. Source and drain regions are disposed on either side of the hybrid channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Rafael Rios, Fahmida Ferdousi, Kelin J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10586868
    Abstract: Non-planar semiconductor devices having hybrid geometry-based active regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a hybrid channel region including a nanowire portion disposed above an omega-FET portion disposed above a fin-FET portion. A gate stack is disposed on exposed surfaces of the hybrid channel region. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. Source and drain regions are disposed on either side of the hybrid channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Rafael Rios, Fahmida Ferdousi, Kelin J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10580860
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani, Anand S. Murthy, Mark Armstrong, Rafael Rios, Abhijit Jayant Pethe, Willy Rachmady
  • Patent number: 10580899
    Abstract: Nanowire structures having non-discrete source and drain regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of vertically stacked nanowires disposed above a substrate. Each of the nanowires includes a discrete channel region disposed in the nanowire. A gate electrode stack surrounds the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires. A pair of non-discrete source and drain regions is disposed on either side of, and adjoining, the discrete channel regions of the plurality of vertically stacked nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Annalisa Cappellani, Martin D. Giles, Rafael Rios, Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10535770
    Abstract: Described is a TFET comprising: a nanowire having doped regions for forming source and drain regions, and an un-doped region for coupling to a gate region; and a first termination material formed over the nanowire; and a second termination material formed over a section of the nanowire overlapping the gate and source regions. Described is another TFET comprising: a first section of a nanowire having doped regions for forming source and drain regions, and an undoped region for coupling to a gate region; a second section of the nanowire extending orthogonal to the first section, the second section formed next to the gate and source regions; and a termination material formed over the first and second sections of the nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Uygar E. Avci, Rafael Rios, Kelin J. Kuhn, Ian A. Young, Justin R. Weber
  • Patent number: 10424580
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having modulated nanowire counts and methods to form such devices are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor device having a plurality of nanowires disposed above a substrate and stacked in a first vertical plane with a first uppermost nanowire. A second semiconductor device has one or more nanowires disposed above the substrate and stacked in a second vertical plane with a second uppermost nanowire. The second semiconductor device includes one or more fewer nanowires than the first semiconductor device. The first and second uppermost nanowires are disposed in a same plane orthogonal to the first and second vertical planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Annalisa Cappellani, Kelin J. Kuhn, Rafael Rios, Gopinath Bhimarasetti, Tahir Ghani, Seiyon Kim
  • Publication number: 20190214461
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Seiyon KIM, Kelin J. KUHN, Tahir GHANI, Anand S. MURTHY, Mark ARMSTRONG, Rafael RIOS, Abhijit Jayant PETHE, Willy RACHMADY
  • Patent number: 10283589
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani, Anand S. Murthy, Mark Armstrong, Rafael Rios, Abhijit Jayant Pethe, Willy Rachmady
  • Publication number: 20190051725
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Seiyon KIM, Kelin J. KUHN, Tahir GHANI, Anand S. MURTHY, Mark ARMSTRONG, Rafael RIOS, Abhijit Jayant PETHE, Willy RACHMADY
  • Publication number: 20190043948
    Abstract: A nanowire device of the present description may be produced with the incorporation of at least one hardmask during the fabrication of at least one nanowire transistor in order to assist in protecting an uppermost channel nanowire from damage that may result from fabrication processes, such as those used in a replacement metal gate process and/or the nanowire release process. The use of at least one hardmask may result in a substantially damage free uppermost channel nanowire in a multi-stacked nanowire transistor, which may improve the uniformity of the channel nanowires and the reliability of the overall multi-stacked nanowire transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung Hoon Sung, Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn, Willy Rachmady, Jack T. Kavalieros
  • Publication number: 20190035893
    Abstract: Techniques and methods related to strained NMOS and PMOS devices without relaxed substrates, systems incorporating such semiconductor devices, and methods therefor may include a semiconductor device that may have both n-type and p-type semiconductor bodies. Both types of semiconductor bodies may be formed from an initially strained semiconductor material such as silicon germanium. A silicon cladding layer may then be provided at least over or on the n-type semiconductor body. In one example, a lower portion of the semiconductor bodies is formed by a Si extension of the wafer or substrate. By one approach, an upper portion of the semiconductor bodies, formed of the strained SiGe, may be formed by blanket depositing the strained SiGe layer on the Si wafer, and then etching through the SiGe layer and into the Si wafer to form the semiconductor bodies or fins with the lower and upper portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Roza Kotlyar, Harold W. Kennel, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani
  • Publication number: 20180358467
    Abstract: Non-planar semiconductor devices having hybrid geometry-based active regions are described. For example, a semiconductor device includes a hybrid channel region including a nanowire portion disposed above an omega-FET portion disposed above a fin-FET portion. A gate stack is disposed on exposed surfaces of the hybrid channel region. The gate stack includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. Source and drain regions are disposed on either side of the hybrid channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Seiyon KIM, Rafael RIOS, Fahmida FERDOUSI, Kelin J. KUHN
  • Patent number: 10121856
    Abstract: A nanowire device having a plurality of internal spacers and a method for forming said internal spacers are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a nanowire stack disposed above a substrate, the nanowire stack having a plurality of vertically-stacked nanowires, a gate structure wrapped around each of the plurality of nanowires, defining a channel region of the device, the gate structure having gate sidewalls, a pair of source/drain regions on opposite sides of the channel region; and an internal spacer on a portion of the gate sidewall between two adjacent nanowires, internal to the nanowire stack. In an embodiment, the internal spacers are formed by depositing spacer material in dimples etched adjacent to the channel region. In an embodiment, the dimples are etched through the channel region. In another embodiment, the dimples are etched through the source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seiyon Kim, Kelin J. Kuhn, Tahir Ghani, Anand S. Murthy, Mark Armstrong, Rafael Rios, Abhijit Jayant Pethe, Willy Rachmady
  • Patent number: 10109711
    Abstract: Techniques and methods related to strained NMOS and PMOS devices without relaxed substrates, systems incorporating such semiconductor devices, and methods therefor may include a semiconductor device that may have both n-type and p-type semiconductor bodies. Both types of semiconductor bodies may be formed from an initially strained semiconductor material such as silicon germanium. A silicon cladding layer may then be provided at least over or on the n-type semiconductor body. In one example, a lower portion of the semiconductor bodies is formed by a Si extension of the wafer or substrate. By one approach, an upper portion of the semiconductor bodies, formed of the strained SiGe, may be formed by blanket depositing the strained SiGe layer on the Si wafer, and then etching through the SiGe layer and into the Si wafer to form the semiconductor bodies or fins with the lower and upper portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M Cea, Roza Kotlyar, Harold W Kennel, Anand S Murthy, Glenn A Glass, Kelin J Kuhn, Tahir Ghani