Patents by Inventor Robert Louis Hodges

Robert Louis Hodges 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: 7598146
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type formed on a surface thereof. The wells may be laterally isolated by shallow trench isolation. Transistors are formed in the wells by first forming several chemically distinct layers. Anisotropic etching then forms openings in a top one of the layers. A blanket dielectric layer is formed in the openings and on the layers. Anisotropic etching removes portions of the blanket dielectric layer from planar surfaces of the substrate but not from sidewalls of the openings to form dielectric spacers separated by gaps within the openings. Gate oxides are formed by oxidation of exposed areas of the substrate. Ion implantation forms channels beneath the gate oxides. Polysilicon deposition followed by chemical-mechanical polishing defines gates in the gaps. The chemically distinct layers are then stripped without removing the dielectric spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 7126190
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type formed on a surface thereof. The wells may be laterally isolated by shallow trench isolation. Transistors are formed in the wells by first forming several chemically distinct layers. Anisotropic etching then forms openings in a top one of the layers. A blanket dielectric layer is formed in the openings and on the layers. Anisotropic etching removes portions of the blanket dielectric layer from planar surfaces of the substrate but not from sidewalls of the openings to form dielectric spacers separated by gaps within the openings. Gate oxides are formed by oxidation of exposed areas of the substrate. Ion implantation forms channels beneath the gate oxides. Polysilicon deposition followed by chemical-mechanical polishing defines gates in the gaps. The chemically distinct layers are then stripped without removing the dielectric spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Publication number: 20040197982
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type formed on a surface thereof. The wells may be laterally isolated by shallow trench isolation. Transistors are formed in the wells by first forming several chemically distinct layers. Anisotropic etching then forms openings in a top one of the layers. A blanket dielectric layer is formed in the openings and on the layers. Anisotropic etching removes portions of the blanket dielectric layer from planar surfaces of the substrate but not from sidewalls of the openings to form dielectric spacers separated by gaps within the openings. Gate oxides are formed by oxidation of exposed areas of the substrate. Ion implantation forms channels beneath the gate oxides. Polysilicon deposition followed by chemical-mechanical polishing defines gates in the gaps. The chemically distinct layers are then stripped without removing the dielectric spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 6774001
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type formed on a surface thereof. The wells may be laterally isolated by shallow trench isolation. Transistors are formed in the wells by first forming several chemically distinct layers. Anisotropic etching then forms openings in a top one of the layers. A blanket dielectric layer is formed in the openings and on the layers. Anisotropic etching removes portions of the blanket dielectric layer from planar surfaces of the substrate but not from sidewalls of the openings to form dielectric spacers separated by gaps within the openings. Gate oxides are formed by oxidation of exposed areas of the substrate. Ion implantation forms channels beneath the gate oxides. Polysilicon deposition followed by chemical-mechanical polishing defines gates in the gaps. The chemically distinct layers are then stripped without removing the dielectric spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 6661064
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030190781
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6514811
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20020020889
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6284584
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20010000920
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type formed on a surface thereof. The wells may be laterally isolated by shallow trench isolation. Transistors are formed in the wells by first forming several chemically distinct layers. Anisotropic etching then forms openings in a top one of the layers. A blanket dielectric layer is formed in the openings and on the layers. Anisotropic etching removes portions of the blanket dielectric layer from planar surfaces of the substrate but not from sidewalls of the openings to form dielectric spacers separated by gaps within the openings. Gate oxides are formed by oxidation of exposed areas of the substrate. Ion implantation forms channels beneath the gate oxides. Polysilicon deposition followed by chemical-mechanical polishing defines gates in the gaps. The chemically distinct layers are then stripped without removing the dielectric spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 6107194
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved device speed by using two silicides with two different compositions: one silicide is overlaid on a polysilicon gate layer, to form a "polycide" layer with improved sheet resistance, and the other is clad on at least some "active" areas of the monocrystalline silicon, to form a "salicided" active area with improved sheet and contact resistance. Preferably one silicide is a reaction product and the other is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6051864
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory fabrication process and structure, in which salicidation is performed on the periphery (and optionally on the ground lines) of a memory chip, but not on the transistors of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Loi Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6040233
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type disposed on a surface thereof and a dielectric layer including silicon nitride disposed on the surface. The dielectric layer includes openings at least partially disposed on the p-wells. The dielectric layer also includes a top latter comprising silicon dioxide having a thickness of less than ten angstroms. Trenches having a depth comparable to or greater than a depth of the wells extend into the substrate surface within the openings. A nonconductive material is disposed within the trenches and has an upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are used as gate dielectrics for transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 6011711
    Abstract: A static random access memory cell comprising a storage latch having a first upper power supply voltage connection to a first bit line, a second upper power supply voltage connection to a second bit line, and a connection to a lower power supply voltage. A first access circuit connects the storage latch to the first bit line and a second access circuit connects the storage latch to the second bit line, wherein the storage latch is accessed utilizing the first access circuit and the second access circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Frank Sigmund
  • Patent number: 5977607
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming isolated regions of oxide of an integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same. A pad oxide layer is formed over a portion of a substrate. A first silicon nitride layer is formed over the pad oxide layer. A polysilicon buffer layer is then formed over the first silicon nitride layer. A second silicon nitride layer is formed over the polysilicon layer. A photoresist layer is formed and patterned over the second silicon nitride layer. An opening is etched through the second silicon nitride layer and the polysilicon buffer layer to expose a portion of the first silicon nitride layer. A third silicon nitride region is then formed on at least the polysilicon buffer layer exposed in the opening. The first silicon nitride layer is etched in the opening. A field oxide region is then formed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Louis Hodges, Frank Randolph Bryant, Fusen E. Chen, Che-Chia Wei
  • Patent number: 5952707
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a silicon substrate of a first conductivity type including wells of a second conductivity type disposed on a surface thereof and a dielectric layer including silicon nitride disposed on the surface. The dielectric layer includes openings at least partially disposed on the p-wells. The dielectric layer also includes a top layer comprising silicon dioxide having a thickness of less than ten angstroms. Trenches having a depth comparable to or greater than a depth of the wells extend into the substrate surface within the openings. A nonconductive material is disposed within the trenches and has an upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the dielectric layer. Portions of the dielectric layer are used as gate dielectrics for transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 5831897
    Abstract: A memory cell in which data is written and read from a pass gate. The memory cell has a connection to a first pass gate, connecting the memory cell to a bit line. Additionally, the memory cell has a second pass gate connecting the memory cell to a complementary bit line. The pass gates are controlled by a word line and a complementary word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 5793114
    Abstract: A method and structure for self-aligned zero-margin contacts to active and poly-1, using silicon nitride (or another dielectric material with low reflectivity and etch selectivity to oxide) for an etch stop layer and also for sidewall spacers on the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Loi N. Nguyen, Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 5742095
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a planar surface of a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit formed according to the same. A gate oxide layer is formed over a silicon substrate. A first polysilicon layer is formed over the gate oxide layer and a nitride layer is formed over the first polysilicon layer. The first polysilicon and nitride layers are then patterned and etched to form an opening which exposes a portion of the gate oxide layer. An oxidation step is then performed to form a field oxide region in the opening. The field oxide region is formed to a thickness having an upper surface substantially planar with an upper surface of the first polysilicon layer. The nitride layer is then removed and the gate oxide and first polysilicon layers are patterned and etched to form a gate electrode and an interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Randolph Bryant, Robert Louis Hodges
  • Patent number: 5729036
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit transistor begins with forming a gate electrode over an insulating layer grown on a conductive layer. Sidewall spacers are formed alongside vertical edges of the gate electrode and a mask is applied to a drain region. A relatively fast-diffusing dopant is then implanted into a source region in the conductive layer. Thereafter, the mask is removed and the drain region is implanted with a relatively slow-diffusing dopant. Finally, the conductive layer is annealed, causing the relatively fast-diffusing dopant to diffuse beneath the source sidewall spacer to a location approximately beneath the vertical edge of the source side of the gate electrode, and causing the relatively slow-diffusing dopant to extend beneath the drain sidewall spacer a lesser distance, so that the drain junction is laterally spaced from underneath the gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Randolph Bryant, Robert Louis Hodges