Patents by Inventor Kwan-Yong Lim

Kwan-Yong Lim 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: 10083971
    Abstract: A vertical SRAM cell includes a first (1st) inverter having a 1st common gate structure operatively connecting channels of a 1st pull-up (PU) and a 1st pull-down (PD) transistor. A 1st metal contact electrically connects bottom source/drain (S/D) regions of the 1st PU and 1st PD transistors. A second (2nd) inverter has a 2nd common gate structure operatively connecting channels of a 2nd PU and a 2nd PD transistor. A 2nd metal contact electrically connects bottom S/D regions of the 2nd PU and 2nd PD transistors. A 1st cross-coupled contact electrically connects the 2nd common gate structure to the 1st metal contact. The 2nd common gate structure entirely surrounds a perimeter of the 1st cross-coupled contact. A 2nd cross-coupled contact electrically connects the 1st common gate structure to the 2nd metal contact. The 1st common gate structure entirely surrounds a perimeter of the 2nd cross-coupled contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Manfred Eller, Kwan-Yong Lim
  • Patent number: 10068978
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed herein for suppressing over-growth of epitaxial layer formed on fins of fin field effect transistor (finFET) to prevent shorts between fins of separate finFET devices. A set of fins of a first transistor is formed. The set of fins comprises a first outer fin, an inner fin, and a second outer fin. An oxide deposition process is performed for depositing an oxide material upon the set of fins. A first recess process is performed for removing a portion of oxide material. This leaves a portion of the oxide material remaining on the inside walls of the first and second outer fins. A spacer nitride deposition process is performed. A spacer nitride removal process is performed, leaving spacer nitride material at the outer walls of the first and second outer fins. A second recess process is performed for removing the oxide material from the inside walls of the first and second outer fins. An epitaxial layer deposition processed upon the set of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kwan-Yong Lim, Christopher Michael Prindle
  • Publication number: 20180226402
    Abstract: Structures for the integration of a vertical field-effect transistor and a saddle fin-type field-effect transistor into an integrated circuit, as well as methods of integrating a vertical field-effect transistor and a saddle fin-type field-effect transistor into an integrated circuit. A trench isolation is formed in a substrate that defines a first device region and a second device region. A first semiconductor fin is formed that projects from the first device region and a second semiconductor fin is formed that projects from the second device region. A vertical field-effect transistor is formed using the first semiconductor fin, and a saddle fin-type field-effect transistor is formed using the second semiconductor fin. A top surface of the trench isolation in the second device region adjacent to the second semiconductor fin is recessed relative to the top surface of the trench isolation in the first device region adjacent to the first semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Min Gyu Sung, Kwan-Yong Lim
  • Patent number: 10008499
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with an MOS transistor abutting field oxide and a gate structure on the field oxide adjacent to the MOS transistor and a gap between an epitaxial source/drain and the field oxide is formed with a silicon dioxide-based gap filler in the gap. Metal silicide is formed on the exposed epitaxial source/drain region. A CESL is formed over the integrated circuit and a PMD layer is formed over the CESL. A contact is formed through the PMD layer and CESL to make an electrical connection to the metal silicide on the epitaxial source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kwan-Yong Lim, James Walter Blatchford, Shashank S. Ekbote, Younsung Choi
  • Patent number: 9960086
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system are disclosed for forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) having doping region self-aligned with a fin reveal position. A plurality of fins of a transistor is formed. A nitride cap layer on the plurality of fins is formed. An N-type doped region in a first portion of the plurality of fins. A P-type doped region in a second portion of the plurality of fins. A shallow trench isolation (STI) fill process for depositing an STI material on the plurality of fins. A fin reveal process for removing the STI material to a predetermined level. A cap strip process for removing the nitride cap layer for forming a fin reveal position that is self-aligned with the P-type and N-type doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Mira Park, Kwan-Yong Lim, Steven Bentley, Amitabh Jain
  • Publication number: 20180090391
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system are disclosed for forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) having doping region self-aligned with a fin reveal position. A plurality of fins of a transistor is formed. A nitride cap layer on the plurality of fins is formed. An N-type doped region in a first portion of the plurality of fins. A P-type doped region in a second portion of the plurality of fins. A shallow trench isolation (STI) fill process for depositing an STI material on the plurality of fins. A fin reveal process for removing the STI material to a predetermined level. A cap strip process for removing the nitride cap layer for forming a fin reveal position that is self-aligned with the P-type and N-type doped regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Mira Park, Kwan-Yong Lim, Steven Bentley, Amitabh Jain
  • Patent number: 9929236
    Abstract: Methods form structures to include a first pair of complementary transistors (having first and second transistors) and a second pair of complementary transistors (having third and fourth transistors). An active area of the first transistor contacts an active area of the second transistor along a first common edge that is straight, and an active area of the third transistor contacts an active area of the fourth transistor along a second common edge that is straight and parallel to the first common edge. The active area of the second transistor has a third edge, opposite the first common edge, that has a non-linear shape, and the active area of the third transistor has a fourth edge, opposite the second common edge, that has the same non-linear shape. The non-linear shape of the third edge faces and is inverted relative to the non-linear shape of the fourth edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Bipul C. Paul, Kwan-Yong Lim
  • Patent number: 9911738
    Abstract: Methods for forming a structure that includes vertical-transport field-effect transistors and structures that include vertical-transport field-effect transistors. A first semiconductor fin is separated from a second semiconductor fin by a gap. A gate stack is conformally deposited that extends across the first semiconductor fin, the second semiconductor fin, and the gap. A section of the gate stack is located in the gap. A gate strap layer is formed in the gap on the section of the gate stack. The gate stack is patterned to form a first gate electrode associated with the first semiconductor fin and a second gate electrode associated with the second semiconductor fin. The gate strap layer masks the section of the gate stack when the gate stack is patterned. The first gate electrode is connected with the second gate electrode by the gate strap layer and the section of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Kwan-Yong Lim, Brent A. Anderson, Junli Wang
  • Publication number: 20180061993
    Abstract: Formation of a bottom junction in vertical FET devices may include, for instance, providing an intermediate semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The fin has a top surface, spaced-apart vertical sides. A mask is disposed over the top surface of the fin, and at least one is disposed over the vertical sides of the fin. Portions of the substrate are removed to define spaced-apart recesses each extending below a respective one of the spacers. Semiconductor material is grown, such as epitaxially grown, in the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki NIIMI, Kwan-Yong LIM, Steven John BENTLEY, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME
  • Publication number: 20180061832
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system are disclosed for forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) having an oxide level in a fin array region within a predetermined height of the oxide level of a field region. A first oxide process is performed for controlling a first oxide recess level in a field region adjacent to a fin array region comprising a plurality of fins in a finFET device. The first oxide process comprises depositing an oxide layer over the field region and the fin array region and performing an oxide recess process to bring the oxide layer to the first oxide recess level in the field region. A second oxide process is performed for controlling a second oxide recess level in the fin array region. The second oxide process comprises isolating the fin array region, depositing oxide material, and performing an oxide recess process to bring the oxide level in the fin array region to the second oxide recess level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Chanro Park, Hoon Kim, Ruilong Xie, Kwan-Yong Lim
  • Publication number: 20180053843
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for co-integrating a short-channel vertical transistor and a long-channel transistor. One method may include: from a starting substrate, forming a wide fin, wherein the wide fin comprises a wide active region; depositing a recess mask over a top surface of the starting substrate; recessing a long channel based on the deposited recess mask; depositing a gate electrode and a gate material, to form a gate structure; and forming SD contacts in an SD region of the long-channel transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Steven Bentley, Kwan-Yong Lim, Hiroaki Niimi, Junli Wang
  • Publication number: 20180047728
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with an MOS transistor abutting field oxide and a gate structure on the field oxide adjacent to the MOS transistor and a gap between an epitaxial source/drain and the field oxide is formed with a silicon dioxide-based gap filler in the gap. Metal silicide is formed on the exposed epitaxial source/drain region. A CESL is formed over the integrated circuit and a PMD layer is formed over the CESL. A contact is formed through the PMD layer and CESL to make an electrical connection to the metal silicide on the epitaxial source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kwan-Yong LIM, James Walter BLATCHFORD, Shashank S. EKBOTE, Younsung CHOI
  • Publication number: 20180033789
    Abstract: We disclose semiconductor devices, comprising a semiconductor substrate comprising a substrate material; and a plurality of fins disposed on the substrate, each fin comprising a lower region comprising the substrate material, a dopant region disposed above the lower region and comprising at least one dopant, and a channel region disposed above the dopant region and comprising a semiconductor material, wherein the channel region comprises less than 1×1018 dopant molecules/cm3, as well as methods, apparatus, and systems for fabricating such semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicants: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC., International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Bentley, Kwan-Yong Lim, Tenko Yamashita, Gauri Karve, Sanjay Mehta
  • Patent number: 9865704
    Abstract: One illustrative integrated circuit product disclosed herein includes, among other things, a plurality of FinFET devices, each of which comprises a gate structure comprising a high-k gate insulation material and at least one layer of metal, a single diffusion break (SDB) isolation structure positioned in a first trench defined in a semiconductor substrate between first and second active regions, the SDB isolation structure comprising the high-k insulating material and the at least one layer of metal, and a double diffusion break (DDB) isolation structure positioned in a second trench defined in a semiconductor substrate between third and fourth active regions, the DDB isolation structure comprising a first insulating material that substantially fills the second trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Kwan-Yong Lim, Min Gyu Sung, Ryan Ryoung-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9859125
    Abstract: Methodologies and a device for SRAM patterning are provided. Embodiments include forming a spacer layer over a fin channel, the fin channel being formed in four different device regions; forming a bottom mandrel over the spacer layer; forming a top mandrel directly over the bottom mandrel, wherein the top and bottom mandrels including different materials; forming a buffer oxide layer over the top mandrel; forming an anti-reflective coating (ARC) over the first OPL; forming a photoresist (PR) over the ARC and patterning the PR; and etching the first OPL, ARC, buffer oxide, and top mandrel with the pattern of the PR, wherein a pitch of the PR as patterned is different in each of the four device regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Ruilong Xie, Chanro Park, Hoon Kim, Kwan-Yong Lim
  • Publication number: 20170373071
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes adjacent cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped bottom source and drain electrodes, the electrodes including n-type electrode(s) and p-type electrode(s), and vertical channel transistors on one or more of the n-type electrode(s) and one or more of the p-type electrode(s); each vertical channel transistor including a vertical channel and a gate electrode wrapped therearound, some of the transistors including pull-up transistors. The semiconductor memory structure further includes a routing gate electrode for each gate electrode, and a shared contact having at least two parts, each part situated over the routing gate electrodes for the pull-up transistors. A unit semiconductor memory cell, the semiconductor memory structure and a corresponding method of forming the memory structure are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan-Yong LIM, Motoi ICHIHASHI, Youngtag WOO, Deepak NAYAK
  • Patent number: 9847418
    Abstract: A method includes forming a fin on a substrate. A first liner is formed on the fin. A first dielectric layer is formed above the first liner. A patterned hard mask is formed above the first dielectric layer and has a fin cut opening defined therein. Portions of the first dielectric layer and the first liner disposed below the fin cut opening are removed to expose a portion of the fin. The patterned hard mask layer is removed. The exposed portion of the fin is oxidized to define a diffusion break in the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan-Yong Lim, Min Gyu Sung, Chanro Park
  • Publication number: 20170358687
    Abstract: Formation of a bottom junction in vertical FET devices may include, for instance, providing an intermediate semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The fin has a top surface, spaced-apart vertical sides. A mask is disposed over the top surface of the fin, and at least one is disposed over the vertical sides of the fin. Portions of the substrate are removed to define spaced-apart recesses each extending below a respective one of the spacers. Semiconductor material is grown, such as epitaxially grown, in the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki NIIMI, Kwan-Yong LIM, Steven John BENTLEY, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME
  • Patent number: 9842933
    Abstract: Formation of a bottom junction in vertical FET devices may include, for instance, providing an intermediate semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a fin disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The fin has a top surface, spaced-apart vertical sides. A mask is disposed over the top surface of the fin, and at least one is disposed over the vertical sides of the fin. Portions of the substrate are removed to define spaced-apart recesses each extending below a respective one of the spacers. Semiconductor material is grown, such as epitaxially grown, in the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Kwan-Yong Lim, Steven John Bentley, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Patent number: 9837404
    Abstract: At least one method, apparatus and system are disclosed for forming a fin field effect transistor (finFET) having an oxide level in a fin array region within a predetermined height of the oxide level of a field region. A first oxide process is performed for controlling a first oxide recess level in a field region adjacent to a fin array region comprising a plurality of fins in a finFET device. The first oxide process comprises depositing an oxide layer over the field region and the fin array region and performing an oxide recess process to bring the oxide layer to the first oxide recess level in the field region. A second oxide process is performed for controlling a second oxide recess level in the fin array region. The second oxide process comprises isolating the fin array region, depositing oxide material, and performing an oxide recess process to bring the oxide level in the fin array region to the second oxide recess level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Chanro Park, Hoon Kim, Ruilong Xie, Kwan-Yong Lim