Patents by Inventor Naushad K. Variam

Naushad K. Variam 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: 11948832
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process and semiconductor device having an airgap to isolate bottom implant portions of a substrate from upper source and drain device structure to reduce bottom current leakage and parasitic capacitance with an improved scalability on n-to-p spacing scaling. The disclosed device can be implanted to fabricate nanosheet FET and other such semiconductor device. The airgap is formed by etching into the substrate, below a trench in a vertical and horizontal direction. The trench is then filled with dielectric and upper device structure formed on either side of the dielectric filler trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Johannes M. van Meer, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 11942361
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming semiconductor device cavities using directional dielectric deposition. One method may include providing a plurality of semiconductor structures and a plurality of trenches of a semiconductor device, and forming a dielectric atop the plurality of semiconductor structures by delivering a dielectric material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures. The dielectric may be further formed by delivering the dielectric material at a second non-zero angle of inclination relative to the normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20230369453
    Abstract: A method for forming a nanosheet device. The method may include providing a heterostructure device stack above a semiconductor substrate. The method may include patterning the heterostructure device stack to define a dummy gate region, and before forming a source drain recess adjacent the dummy gate region, selectively removing a first set of sacrificial layers of the heterostructure device stack within the dummy gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Johannes M. van Meer, Sankuei Lin, Baonian Guo, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 11778832
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for 3D NAND structure fabrication. One method may include providing a stack of layers comprising a first and second plurality of layers, and forming a plurality of trenches in the stack of layers, wherein each of the trenches includes a tiered sidewall. A first trench may be formed to a first depth, and a second trench may be formed to a second depth, which is greater than the first depth. The method may further include forming a liner within the trenches, wherein the liner is deposited at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the stack of layers. The liner may have a first thickness along the tiered sidewall of the first trench and a second thickness along the tiered sidewall of the second trench, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20230187210
    Abstract: Approaches herein provide devices and methods for forming optimized gate-all-around transistors. One method may include forming a well by directing a first ion species into a substrate of a device, forming a plurality of alternating first and second layers over the well, and forming a dummy gate and a spacer over the plurality of alternating first and second layers. The method may further include removing a portion of the plurality of alternating first and second layers to expose an upper surface of the well, forming a punch through stopper in the well by directing a second ion species into the exposed upper surface of the well, etching the plurality of nanosheets to laterally recess the second layers relative to the first layers, and forming an inner spacer along the first and second layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Johannes M. van Meer, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20230089482
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process and semiconductor device having an airgap to isolate bottom implant portions of a substrate from upper source and drain device structure to reduce bottom current leakage and parasitic capacitance with an improved scalability on n-to-p spacing scaling. The disclosed device can be implanted to fabricate nanosheet FET and other such semiconductor device. The airgap is formed by etching into the substrate, below a trench in a vertical and horizontal direction. The trench is then filled with dielectric and upper device structure formed on either side of the dielectric filler trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Johannes M. van Meer, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20220399225
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming semiconductor device cavities using directional dielectric deposition. One method may include providing a plurality of semiconductor structures and a plurality of trenches of a semiconductor device, and forming a dielectric atop the plurality of semiconductor structures by delivering a dielectric material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures. The dielectric may be further formed by delivering the dielectric material at a second non-zero angle of inclination relative to the normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20220352182
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for 3D NAND structure fabrication. One method may include providing a stack of layers comprising a first and second plurality of layers, and forming a plurality of trenches in the stack of layers, wherein each of the trenches includes a tiered sidewall. A first trench may be formed to a first depth, and a second trench may be formed to a second depth, which is greater than the first depth. The method may further include forming a liner within the trenches, wherein the liner is deposited at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the stack of layers. The liner may have a first thickness along the tiered sidewall of the first trench and a second thickness along the tiered sidewall of the second trench, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 11217491
    Abstract: Methods herein may include forming a gate dielectric within a set of trenches in a stack of layers. A first work function (WF) metal may be formed atop the gate dielectric, and a capping layer may be formed over the first WF metal using an angled ion implant deposition, the capping layer extending across the trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K. Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee
  • Publication number: 20210119022
    Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor devices herein may include providing a metal gate, an interlayer dielectric (ILD), and an etch stop layer over a plurality of fins, wherein the ILD is formed atop the etch stop layer, and wherein the plurality of fins includes a source/drain (S/D) epitaxial region. The method may further include removing the etch stop layer from atop the S/D epitaxial region, and performing, through an opening in the ILD, an ion implant and a dopant ion implant to the S/D epitaxial region. In some embodiments, the method may further include thermally treating the semiconductor device to activate ions of the ion implant or ions of the dopant ion implant in the S/D epitaxial region to form an ultra-shallow junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Young Lee, Johannes M. Van Meer, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 10971403
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. The method may include providing a transistor structure, where the transistor structure includes a fin array, the fin array including a plurality of semiconductor fins, disposed on a substrate. A liner may be disposed on the plurality of semiconductor fins. The method may include directing first angled ions to the fin array, wherein the liner is removed in an upper portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the liner remains in a lower portion of the at least one of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the upper portion comprises an active fin region to form a transistor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K. Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee
  • Publication number: 20210050349
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to structures and processing for three-dimensional transistor devices. In some approaches, a method may include providing a plurality of fin structures formed from a substrate, the plurality of fin structures disposed subjacent to a hard mask layer, and directing angled ions at the plurality of fin structures. The angled ions may form a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of the substrate, wherein the angled ions etch the plurality of fin structures to form a stack of isolated nanowires within the plurality of fin structures. The method may further include removing the hard mask layer, and forming a stopping layer over the stack of isolated nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: ANTHONY RENAU, MIN GYU SUNG, SONY VARGHESE, MORGAN EVANS, NAUSHAD K. VARIAM, TASSIE ANDERSEN
  • Patent number: 10903211
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to structures and processing for three-dimensional transistor devices. In some approaches, a method may include providing a plurality of fin structures formed from a substrate, the plurality of fin structures disposed subjacent to a hard mask layer, and directing angled ions at the plurality of fin structures. The angled ions may form a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of the substrate, wherein the angled ions etch the plurality of fin structures to form a stack of isolated nanowires within the plurality of fin structures. The method may further include removing the hard mask layer, and forming a stopping layer over the stack of isolated nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Renau, Min Gyu Sung, Sony Varghese, Morgan Evans, Naushad K. Variam, Tassie Andersen
  • Patent number: 10720357
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device. The method may include providing a device structure, where the device structure comprises a masked portion and a cut portion. The masked portion may comprise a mask covering at least one semiconductor fin of a fin array, and the cut portion may comprise a trench, where the trench exposes a semiconductor fin region of the fin array. The method may further include providing an exposure of the trench to oxidizing ions, the oxidizing ions to transform a semiconductor material into an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee, Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10692775
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a semiconductor device, such as a finFET device. One non-limiting method may include providing a semiconductor device including a substrate and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate, and forming a source trench isolation (STI) material over the semiconductor device. The method may further include recessing the STI material to reveal an upper portion of the plurality of fins, implanting the semiconductor device, and forming a capping layer over the plurality of fins and the STI material. The method may further include removing a first fin section of the plurality of fins and a first portion of the capping layer, wherein a second fin section of the plurality of fins remains following removal of the first fin section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Jae Young Lee, Johannes Van Meer, Sony Varghese, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 10686033
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a semiconductor device, such as a finFET device. One non-limiting method may include providing a semiconductor device including a substrate and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate, and forming a source trench isolation (STI) material over the semiconductor device. The method may further include performing a fin cut by removing a first fin section of the plurality of fins and a first portion of the STI material, and forming a second STI material over a second fin section of the plurality of fins, wherein the second fin section is left remaining following removal of the first fin section. The method may further include recessing the STI material and the second STI material, forming a spin-on-carbon (SOC) layer over the semiconductor device, and implanting the STI material and the second STI material through the SOC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Jae Young Lee, Johannes Van Meer, Sony Varghese, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20200152735
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a semiconductor device, such as a finFET device. One non-limiting method may include providing a semiconductor device including a substrate and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate, and forming a source trench isolation (STI) material over the semiconductor device. The method may further include performing a fin cut by removing a first fin section of the plurality of fins and a first portion of the STI material, and forming a second STI material over a second fin section of the plurality of fins, wherein the second fin section is left remaining following removal of the first fin section. The method may further include recessing the STI material and the second STI material, forming a spin-on-carbon (SOC) layer over the semiconductor device, and implanting the STI material and the second STI material through the SOC layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Jae Young Lee, Johannes Van Meer, Sony Varghese, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20200152519
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a semiconductor device, such as a finFET device. One non-limiting method may include providing a semiconductor device including a substrate and a plurality of fins extending from the substrate, and forming a source trench isolation (STI) material over the semiconductor device. The method may further include recessing the STI material to reveal an upper portion of the plurality of fins, implanting the semiconductor device, and forming a capping layer over the plurality of fins and the STI material. The method may further include removing a first fin section of the plurality of fins and a first portion of the capping layer, wherein a second fin section of the plurality of fins remains following removal of the first fin section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Jae Young Lee, Johannes Van Meer, Sony Varghese, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20200135573
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. The method may include providing a transistor structure, where the transistor structure includes a fin array, the fin array including a plurality of semiconductor fins, disposed on a substrate. A liner may be disposed on the plurality of semiconductor fins. The method may include directing first angled ions to the fin array, wherein the liner is removed in an upper portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the liner remains in a lower portion of the at least one of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the upper portion comprises an active fin region to form a transistor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K. Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 10510610
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device. The method may include providing a transistor structure, where the transistor structure includes a fin array, the fin array including a plurality of semiconductor fins, disposed on a substrate. A liner may be disposed on the plurality of semiconductor fins. The method may include directing first angled ions to the fin array, wherein the liner is removed in an upper portion of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the liner remains in a lower portion of the at least one of the plurality of semiconductor fins, and wherein the upper portion comprises an active fin region to form a transistor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K. Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee