Patents by Inventor Mahalingam Nandakumar

Mahalingam Nandakumar 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: 10026730
    Abstract: A method of forming an IC includes providing a field dielectric in a portion of a semiconductor surface, a bipolar or Schottky diode (BSD) class device area, a CMOS transistor area, and a resistor area. A polysilicon layer is deposited to provide a polysilicon gate area for MOS transistors in the CMOS transistor area, over the BSD class device area, and over the field dielectric for providing a polysilicon resistor in the resistor area. A first mask pattern is formed on the polysilicon layer. Using the first mask pattern, first implanting (I1) of the polysilicon resistor providing a first projected range (RP1)<a thickness of the polysilicon layer and second implanting (I2) providing a second RP(RP2), where RP2>RP1. I2 provides a CMOS implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the CMOS transistor area and/or a BSD implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the BSD area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Douglas Tad Grider, III
  • Publication number: 20180175023
    Abstract: A method of limiting plasma charging damage on ICs. A die includes gate stacks on active areas defined by a field dielectric. A pre-metal dielectric (PMD) layer is over the gate electrode. A contact masking material pattern is defined on the PMD layer including first contact defining features for forming active contacts and second contact defining features for forming dummy contacts (DC's) including over active areas and gate electrodes. Contacts are etched through the PMD layer using the contact masking material pattern to form active contacts and DC's. A patterned metal 1 (M1) layer is formed including first M1 portions over the active contacts and dummy M1 portions over the DC's. Metallization processing follows including forming interconnects so that the active contacts are connected to MOS transistors on the IC, and the DC's are not electrically connected to the MOS transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: MARK ROBERT VISOKAY, TAE S. KIM, MAHALINGAM NANDAKUMAR, ERIC D. RULLAN, GREGORY B. SHINN
  • Patent number: 9960162
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and method with a metal gate NMOS transistor with a high-k first gate dielectric on a high quality thermally grown interface dielectric and with a metal gate PMOS transistor with a high-k last gate dielectric on a chemically grown interface dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Manoj Mehrotra, Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Publication number: 20180090503
    Abstract: An integrated circuit contains a logic MOS transistor and a memory MOS transistor of a same polarity. The logic MOS transistor has a logic channel stop layer. The memory MOS transistor has a memory channel stop layer. An average dopant density of the memory channel stop layer is higher than an average dopant density of the logic channel stop layer. The integrated circuit is formed by forming a global mask which exposes both the logic and memory MOS transistors. A global channel stop dose of dopants is implanted in the logic and memory MOS transistors. A memory mask is formed which exposes the memory MOS transistor and covers the logic MOS transistor. A memory channel stop dose of dopants of the same polarity is implanted into the memory MOS transistors. The memory channel stop dose of dopants is blocked from the logic MOS transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Patent number: 9865599
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a CMOS integrated circuit (IC) includes implanting a first n-type dopant at a first masking level that exposes a p-region of a substrate surface having a first gate stack thereon to form NLDD regions for forming n-source/drain extension regions for at least a portion of a plurality of n-channel MOS (NMOS) transistors on the IC. A p-type dopant is implanted at a second masking level that exposes an n-region in the substrate surface having a second gate stack thereon to form PLDD regions for at least a portion of a plurality of p-channel MOS (PMOS) transistors on the IC. A second n-type dopant is retrograde implanted including through the first gate stack to form a deep nwell (DNwell) for the portion of NMOS transistors. A depth of the DNwell is shallower below the first gate stack as compared to under the NLDD regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Patent number: 9853034
    Abstract: An integrated circuit contains a logic MOS transistor and a memory MOS transistor of a same polarity. The logic MOS transistor has a logic channel stop layer. The memory MOS transistor has a memory channel stop layer. An average dopant density of the memory channel stop layer is higher than an average dopant density of the logic channel stop layer. The integrated circuit is formed by forming a global mask which exposes both the logic and memory MOS transistors. A global channel stop dose of dopants is implanted in the logic and memory MOS transistors. A memory mask is formed which exposes the memory MOS transistor and covers the logic MOS transistor. A memory channel stop dose of dopants of the same polarity is implanted into the memory MOS transistors. The memory channel stop dose of dopants are blocked from the logic MOS transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Publication number: 20170365715
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a transistor on a semiconductor wafer includes providing a partial transistor containing a gate stack, extension regions, and source/drain sidewalls, The method also includes performing a source/drain implant of the semiconductor wafer, forming a cap layer over the semiconductor wafer, and performing a source/drain anneal. In addition, the method includes performing a damage implant of the cap layer and removing the cap layer over the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Wayne Bather, Narendra Singh Mehta
  • Publication number: 20170358659
    Abstract: A replacement metal gate transistor structure and method with thin silicon nitride sidewalls and with little or no high-k dielectric on the vertical sidewalls of the replacement gate transistor trench
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Publication number: 20170338223
    Abstract: A method of forming an IC includes providing a field dielectric in a portion of a semiconductor surface, a bipolar or Schottky diode (BSD) class device area, a CMOS transistor area, and a resistor area. A polysilicon layer is deposited to provide a polysilicon gate area for MOS transistors in the CMOS transistor area, over the BSD class device area, and over the field dielectric for providing a polysilicon resistor in the resistor area. A first mask pattern is formed on the polysilicon layer. Using the first mask pattern, first implanting (I1) of the polysilicon resistor providing a first projected range (RP1)<a thickness of the polysilicon layer and second implanting (I2) providing a second RP(RP2), where RP2>RP1. I2 provides a CMOS implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the CMOS transistor area and/or a BSD implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the BSD area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: MAHALINGAM NANDAKUMAR, DOUGLAS TAD GRIDER, III
  • Publication number: 20170287917
    Abstract: An integrated circuit contains a logic MOS transistor and a memory MOS transistor of a same polarity. The logic MOS transistor has a logic channel stop layer. The memory MOS transistor has a memory channel stop layer. An average dopant density of the memory channel stop layer is higher than an average dopant density of the logic channel stop layer. The integrated circuit is formed by forming a global mask which exposes both the logic and memory MOS transistors. A global channel stop dose of dopants is implanted in the logic and memory MOS transistors. A memory mask is formed which exposes the memory MOS transistor and covers the logic MOS transistor. A memory channel stop dose of dopants of the same polarity is implanted into the memory MOS transistors. The memory channel stop dose of dopants are blocked from the logic MOS transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Patent number: 9780192
    Abstract: A replacement metal gate transistor structure and method with thin silicon nitride sidewalls and with little or no high-k dielectric on the vertical sidewalls of the replacement gate transistor trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Patent number: 9761581
    Abstract: A method of forming an IC includes providing a field dielectric in a portion of a semiconductor surface, a bipolar or Schottky diode (BSD) class device area, a CMOS transistor area, and a resistor area. A polysilicon layer is deposited to provide a polysilicon gate area for MOS transistors in the CMOS transistor area, over the BSD class device area, and over the field dielectric for providing a polysilicon resistor in the resistor area. A first mask pattern is formed on the polysilicon layer. Using the first mask pattern, first implanting (I1) of the polysilicon resistor providing a first projected range (RP1)<a thickness of the polysilicon layer and second implanting (I2) providing a second RP (RP2), where RP2>RP1. I2 provides a CMOS implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the CMOS transistor area and/or a BSD implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the BSD area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Douglas Tad Grider, III
  • Publication number: 20170256535
    Abstract: A method of forming an IC includes providing a field dielectric in a portion of a semiconductor surface, a bipolar or Schottky diode (BSD) class device area, a CMOS transistor area, and a resistor area. A polysilicon layer is deposited to provide a polysilicon gate area for MOS transistors in the CMOS transistor area, over the BSD class device area, and over the field dielectric for providing a polysilicon resistor in the resistor area. A first mask pattern is formed on the polysilicon layer. Using the first mask pattern, first implanting (I1) of the polysilicon resistor providing a first projected range (RP1)<a thickness of the polysilicon layer and second implanting (I2) providing a second RP (RP2), where RP2>RP1. I2 provides a CMOS implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the CMOS transistor area and/or a BSD implant into the semiconductor surface layer in the BSD area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Mahalingam NANDAKUMAR, Douglas Tad GRIDER, III
  • Publication number: 20170133361
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode in parallel with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Sunitha Venkataraman, David L. Catlett, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170092731
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a metal gate which extends over an active area and onto an isolation dielectric layer. A conductive spline is formed on the metal gate, extending on the metal gate over at least a portion of the isolation dielectric layer, and extending on the metal gate for a length at least four times a width of the metal gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mahalingam NANDAKUMAR, Steve LYTLE
  • Patent number: 9589959
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode. An integrated circuit with a gate space isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode in parallel with a shallow trench isolated, low capacitance, ESD protection diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Sunitha Venkataraman, David L. Catlett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9564427
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and method with a metal gate transistor and with a Schottky diode where the metal used to form the Schottky diode is the metal used to form the metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Patent number: 9548384
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a metal gate which extends over an active area and onto an isolation dielectric layer. A conductive spline is formed on the metal gate, extending on the metal gate over at least a portion of the isolation dielectric layer, and extending on the metal gate for a length at least four times a width of the metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mahalingam Nandakumar, Steve Lytle
  • Publication number: 20160300836
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and method with a metal gate NMOS transistor with a high-k first gate dielectric on a high quality thermally grown interface dielectric and with a metal gate PMOS transistor with a high-k last gate dielectric on a chemically grown interface dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroaki Niimi, Manoj Mehrotra, Mahalingam Nandakumar
  • Publication number: 20160284596
    Abstract: An integrated circuit containing MOS transistors with replacement gates may be formed with elevated LDD regions and/or recessed replacement gates on a portion of the transistors. Elevating the LDD regions is accomplished by a selective epitaxial process prior to LDD implant. Recessing the replacement gates is accomplished by etching substrate material after removal of sacrificial gate material and before formation of a replacement gate dielectric layer. Elevating the LDD regions and recessing the replacement gates may increase a channel length of the MOS transistors and thereby desirably increase threshold uniformity of the transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Mahalingam NANDAKUMAR