Patents by Inventor Lee Alan Stringer

Lee Alan Stringer 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: 10005662
    Abstract: A method comprises forming an etch stop layer, a first titanium layer, a magnetic core, a second titanium layer, and patterning the first and second titanium layers. The etch stop layer is formed above a substrate. The first titanium layer is formed on the etch stop layer. The magnetic core is formed on the first titanium layer. The second titanium layer has a first portion encapsulating the magnetic core with the first titanium layer, and a second portion interfacing with the first titanium layer beyond the magnetic core. The patterning of the first and second titanium layers includes forming a mask over a magnetic core region and etching the first and second titanium layers exposed by the mask using a titanium etchant and a titanium oxide etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lee Alan Stringer, Mona Eissa, Byron J. R. Shulver, Sopa Chevacharoenkul, Mark R. Kimmich, Sudtida Lavangkul, Mark L. Jenson
  • Publication number: 20170341934
    Abstract: A method comprises forming an etch stop layer, a first titanium layer, a magnetic core, a second titanium layer, and patterning the first and second titanium layers. The etch stop layer is formed above a substrate. The first titanium layer is formed on the etch stop layer. The magnetic core is formed on the first titanium layer. The second titanium layer has a first portion encapsulating the magnetic core with the first titanium layer, and a second portion interfacing with the first titanium layer beyond the magnetic core. The patterning of the first and second titanium layers includes forming a mask over a magnetic core region and etching the first and second titanium layers exposed by the mask using a titanium etchant and a titanium oxide etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Lee Alan Stringer, Mona Eissa, Byron J.R. Shulver, Sopa Chevacharoenkul, Mark R. Kimmich, Sudtida Lavangkul, Mark L. Jenson
  • Patent number: 9771261
    Abstract: A method comprises forming an etch stop layer, a first titanium layer, a magnetic core, a second titanium layer, and patterning the first and second titanium layers. The etch stop layer is formed above a substrate. The first titanium layer is formed on the etch stop layer. The magnetic core is formed on the first titanium layer. The second titanium layer has a first portion encapsulating the magnetic core with the first titanium layer, and a second portion interfacing with the first titanium layer beyond the magnetic core. The patterning of the first and second titanium layers includes forming a mask over a magnetic core region and etching the first and second titanium layers exposed by the mask using a titanium etchant and a titanium oxide etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lee Alan Stringer, Mona Eissa, Byron J. R. Shulver, Sopa Chevacharoenkul, Mark R. Kimmich, Sudtida Lavangkul, Mark L. Jenson
  • Publication number: 20170267521
    Abstract: A method comprises forming an etch stop layer, a first titanium layer, a magnetic core, a second titanium layer, and patterning the first and second titanium layers. The etch stop layer is formed above a substrate. The first titanium layer is formed on the etch stop layer. The magnetic core is formed on the first titanium layer. The second titanium layer has a first portion encapsulating the magnetic core with the first titanium layer, and a second portion interfacing with the first titanium layer beyond the magnetic core. The patterning of the first and second titanium layers includes forming a mask over a magnetic core region and etching the first and second titanium layers exposed by the mask using a titanium etchant and a titanium oxide etchant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Lee Alan Stringer, Mona Eissa, Byron J.R. Shulver, Sopa Chevacharoenkul, Mark R. Kimmich, Sudtida Lavangkul, Mark L. Jenson
  • Patent number: 8431463
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a capacitor in an IC above a top level of interconnect metallization, without adding process steps. Passivation is accomplished by a dielectric layer, part of the IC protective overcoat, deposited directly on the capacitor, overlapping the electrode edges. Contact is made to the top electrode of the capacitor by etching small capacitor vias during a bond pad via etch process, followed by depositing and patterning bond pad metal in the capacitor vias to connect the top electrode to other circuit elements in the IC. The top electrode thickness is increased to accommodate the bond pad via etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Maxwell Walthour Lippitt, III, Stephen Arlon Meisner, Lee Alan Stringer, Stephen Fredrick Clark, Fred Percy Debnam, II, Byron Lovell Williams
  • Patent number: 8236703
    Abstract: Methods for removing contaminants from a semiconductor device that includes a plurality of aluminum-comprising bond pads on a semiconductor surface of a substrate. A plurality of aluminum-including bond pads are formed on the semiconductor surface of the substrate. A patterned passivation layer is then formed on the semiconductor surface, wherein the patterned passivation layer provides an exposed area for the plurality of bond pads. Wet etching with a basic etch solution is used to etch a surface of the exposed area of the aluminum-including bond pads, wherein the wet etching removes at least 100 Angstroms from the surface of the bond pads to form a cleaned surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Alfred J. Griffin, Jr., Lisa A. Fritz, Lin Li, Lee Alan Stringer, Neel A. Bhatt, John Paul Campbell, Stephen Arlon Meisner, Charles Leighton
  • Publication number: 20100032803
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a capacitor in an IC above a top level of interconnect metallization, without adding process steps. Passivation is accomplished by a dielectric layer, part of the IC protective overcoat, deposited directly on the capacitor, overlapping the electrode edges. Contact is made to the top electrode of the capacitor by etching small capacitor vias during a bond pad via etch process, followed by depositing and patterning bond pad metal in the capacitor vias to connect the top electrode to other circuit elements in the IC. The top electrode thickness is increased to accommodate the bond pad via etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Maxwell Walthour Lippitt, III, Stephen Arlon Meisner, Lee Alan Stringer, Stephen Fredrick Clark, Fred Percy Debnam, II, Byron Lovell Williams
  • Publication number: 20090068847
    Abstract: Methods for removing contaminants from a semiconductor device that includes a plurality of aluminum-comprising bond pads on a semiconductor surface of a substrate. A plurality of aluminum-including bond pads are formed on the semiconductor surface of the substrate. A patterned passivation layer is then formed on the semiconductor surface, wherein the patterned passivation layer provides an exposed area for the plurality of bond pads. Wet etching with a basic etch solution is used to etch a surface of the exposed area of the aluminum-including bond pads, wherein the wet etching removes at least 100 Angstroms from the surface of the bond pads to form a cleaned surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Alfred J. Griffin, JR., Lisa A. Fritz, Lin Li, Lee Alan Stringer, Neel A. Bhatt, John Paul Campbell, Stephen Arlon Meisner, Charles Leighton