Patents by Inventor Scott R. Stiffler

Scott R. Stiffler 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).

  • Publication number: 20180261512
    Abstract: A fin cut process cuts semiconductor fins after forming sacrificial gate structures that overlie portions of the fins. Selected gate structures are removed to form openings and exposed portions of the fins within the openings are etched. An isolation dielectric layer is deposited into the openings and between end portions of the cut fins. The process enables a single sacrificial gate structure to define the spacing between two active regions on dissimilar electrical nets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. GREENE, Shreesh NARASIMHA, Scott R. STIFFLER
  • Patent number: 10074571
    Abstract: A fin cut process cuts semiconductor fins after forming sacrificial gate structures that overlie portions of the fins. Selected gate structures are removed to form openings and exposed portions of the fins within the openings are etched. An isolation dielectric layer is deposited into the openings and between end portions of the cut fins. The process enables a single sacrificial gate structure to define the spacing between two active regions on dissimilar electrical nets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Shreesh Narasimha, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 9748250
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structure and method for fabrication of deep trenches in semiconductor-on-insulator structures. An upper portion of the deep trench cavity is formed to expose a sidewall of the buried insulator layer. A protective layer is disposed on the sidewall of the buried insulator layer. Then, the cavity is extended into the bulk substrate. The protective layer prevents over etch of the buried insulator layer during this process. The protective layer is then partially removed, such that the semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer sidewall is exposed. The trench is then filled with a conductive fill material, such as polysilicon. The protection of the buried insulator (BOX) layer allows the trenches to be placed closer together while reducing the risk of a short circuit due to over etch, thereby increasing circuit density and product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Diego A. Hoyos, Sunit S. Mahajan, William L. Nicol, Iqbal R. Saraf, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Publication number: 20170170016
    Abstract: Methods for multiple patterning a substrate may include: forming a hard mask including a carbonaceous layer and an oxynitride layer over the carbonaceous layer on a substrate; and forming a first pattern into the oxynitride layer and partially into the carbonaceous layer using a first soft mask positioned over the hard mask. A wet etching removes a portion of the first soft mask from the first pattern in the oxynitride layer without damaging the carbonaceous layer. Subsequently, a second pattern and a third pattern are formed into the hard mask, creating a multiple pattern in the hard mask. The multiple pattern may be etched into the substrate, followed by removing any remaining portion of the hard mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Woo-Hyeong Lee, Jujin An, Shahrukh A. Khan, Rosa A. Orozco-Teran, Oluwafemi O. Ogunsola, William K. Henson, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Publication number: 20160358954
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structure and method for fabrication of deep trenches in semiconductor-on-insulator structures. An upper portion of the deep trench cavity is formed to expose a sidewall of the buried insulator layer. A protective layer is disposed on the sidewall of the buried insulator layer. Then, the cavity is extended into the bulk substrate. The protective layer prevents over etch of the buried insulator layer during this process. The protective layer is then partially removed, such that the semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer sidewall is exposed. The trench is then filled with a conductive fill material, such as polysilicon. The protection of the buried insulator (BOX) layer allows the trenches to be placed closer together while reducing the risk of a short circuit due to over etch, thereby increasing circuit density and product yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Diego A. Hoyos, Sunit S. Mahajan, William L. Nicol, Iqbal R. Saraf, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 9240352
    Abstract: Bulk finFET well contacts with fin pattern uniformity and methods of manufacture. The method includes providing a substrate with a first region and a second region, the first region comprising a well with a first conductivity. The method further includes forming contiguous fins over the first region and the second region. The method further includes forming an epitaxial layer on at least one portion of the fins in the first region and at least one portion of the fins in the second region. The method further includes doping the epitaxial layer in the first region with a first type dopant to provide the first conductivity. The method further includes doping the epitaxial layer in the second region with a second type dopant to provide a second conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Andres Bryant, Edward J. Nowak, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Publication number: 20150145041
    Abstract: A substrate local interconnect structure and method is disclosed. A buried conductor is formed in the insulator region or on the semiconductor substrate. The buried conductor may be formed by metal deposition, doped silicon regions, or silciding a region of the substrate. Metal sidewall portions connect transistor contacts to the buried conductor to form interconnections without the use of middle-of-line (MOL) metallization and via layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ramachandra Divakaruni, Lars Wolfgang Liebmann, Shom Ponoth, Balasubramanian Pranatharthiharan, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Publication number: 20140110767
    Abstract: Bulk finFET well contacts with fin pattern uniformity and methods of manufacture. The method includes providing a substrate with a first region and a second region, the first region comprising a well with a first conductivity. The method further includes forming contiguous fins over the first region and the second region. The method further includes forming an epitaxial layer on at least one portion of the fins in the first region and at least one portion of the fins in the second region. The method further includes doping the epitaxial layer in the first region with a first type dopant to provide the first conductivity. The method further includes doping the epitaxial layer in the second region with a second type dopant to provide a second conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. ANDERSON, Andres BRYANT, Edward J. NOWAK, Scott R. STIFFLER
  • Patent number: 6566177
    Abstract: A silicon on insulator (SOI) dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and array and method of manufacture. The memory cell includes a trench storage capacitor connected by a self aligned buried strap to a vertical access transistor. A buried oxide layer isolates an SOI layer from a silicon substrate. The trench capacitor is formed in the substrate and the access transistor is formed on a sidewall of the SOI layer. A polysilicon strap connected to the polysilicon plate of the storage capacitor provides a self-aligned contact to the source of the access transistor. Initially, the buried oxide layer is formed in the wafer. Deep trenches are etched, initially just through the SOI layer and the BOX layer. Protective sidewalls are formed in the trenches. Then, the deep trenches are etched into the substrate. The volume in the substrate is expanded to form a bottle shaped trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl J. Radens, Gary B. Bronner, Tze-chiang Chen, Bijan Davari, Jack A. Mandelman, Dan Moy, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam Ghavami Shahidi, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 6426252
    Abstract: A silicon on insulator (SOI) dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell, array and method of manufacture. The memory cell includes a vertical access transistor above a trench storage capacitor in a layered wafer. A buried oxide (BOX) layer formed in a silicon wafer isolates an SOI layer from a silicon substrate. Deep trenches are etched through the upper surface SOI layer, the BOX layer and into the substrate. Each trench capacitor is formed in the substrate and, the access transistor is formed on a sidewall of the SOI layer. Recesses are formed in the BOX layer at the SOI layer. A polysilicon strap recessed in the BOX layer connects each polysilicon storage capacitor plate to a self-aligned contact at the source of the access transistor. Dopant is implanted into the wafer to define device regions. Access transistor gates are formed along the SOI layer sidewalls. Shallow trenches are formed and filled with insulating material to isolate cells from adjacent cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl J. Radens, Gary B. Bronner, Tze-chiang Chen, Bijan Davari, Jack A. Mandelman, Dan Moy, Devendra K. Sadana, Ghavam Ghavami Shahidi, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 6353246
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure including a substrate including at least one silicon-on-insulator substrate region and at least one non-silicon-on-insulator region. The at least one silicon-on-insulator region and at least one non-silicon-on-insulator region are formed in a pattern in the substrate. At least one trench is arranged in the vicinity of at least at a portion of a boundary between a silicon-on-insulator substrate region and the non-silicon-on-insulator substrate region. The at least one trench is arranged in at least one of the silicon-on-insulator region and the non-silicon-on-insulator region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Hannon, Subramanian S. Iyer, Scott R. Stiffler, Kevin R. Winstel
  • Patent number: 6307250
    Abstract: An electronic switch circuit switches out bad decoupling capacitors on a high speed integrated circuit chip. The circuit comprises a control device that operates in the subthreshold or off device state to detect leakage in a decoupling capacitor. This control device operates in a low impedance state if the capacitor is good and in a high impedance sate if the capacitor is bad. A feedback circuit is connected from an internal node of the capacitor to a gate of the control device so that once a state of the capacitor is detected it can be stored on the gate of the control device. A single external signal source shared by a group of capacitors activates the control device to detect leakage in the capacitor. The circuit operates to switch out capacitors that fail during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Byron L. Krauter, Chung H. Lam, Linda A. Miller, Steven W. Mittl, Robert F. Sechler, Scott R. Stiffler, Donald L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5384152
    Abstract: A capacitor is provided having a substrate and a first capacitor plate including a lattice mismatched crystalline material is formed over and supported by a surface of the substrate. A layer of insulating material is formed over and supported by the first capacitor plate. A second capacitor plate including a layer of conductive material is formed over and supported by the layer of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack C. Chu, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Toshio Mii, Joseph F. Shepard, Scott R. Stiffler, Manu J. Tejwani, Edward J. Vishnesky
  • Patent number: 5308785
    Abstract: The present invention is an isolation structure for use with FET or bipolar devices incorporating a silicon-germanium layer in which the semiconductor devices are isolated by trench structures. A trench is etched through a pad layer, a single crystal silicon layer, a silicon-germanium layer, and finally, into the silicon substrate. The silicon-germanium layer is interposed between the single crystal silicon layer and the silicon substrate and the pad layer covers the single crystal silicon layer. The trench sidewall exposes the silicon-germanium layer. A single crystal silicon layer is formed as a trench liner. This silicon trench liner is then oxidized to passivate the trench isolation. The trench can then be filled with a dielectric without the devices being affected by parasitic leakage caused by the silicon-germanium layer exposed by the trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Comfort, David L. Harame, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 5266813
    Abstract: The present invention is an isolation structure for use with FET or bipolar devices incorporating a silicon-germanium layer in which the semiconductor devices are isolated by trench structures. A trench is etched through a pad layer, a single crystal silicon layer, a silicon-germanium layer, and finally, into the silicon substrate. The silicon-germanium layer is interposed between the single crystal silicon layer and the silicon substrate and the pad layer covers the single crystal silicon layer. The trench sidewall exposes the silicon-germanium layer. A single crystal silicon layer is formed as a trench liner. This silicon trench liner is then oxidized to passivate the trench isolation. The trench can then be filled with a dielectric without the devices being affected by parasitic leakage caused by the silicon-germanium layer exposed by the trench isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Comfort, David L. Harame, Scott R. Stiffler
  • Patent number: 5264387
    Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate including an insulator material having a generally planar surface; forming a plurality of mesas of a semiconductor material on the substrate surface, the plurality of mesas spaced by channels extending to the substrate surface, the plurality of mesas including device mesas and dummy mesas; forming a polish-stop structure of at least one selected material over the substrate surface in the channels; polishing the plurality of mesas and stopping on the polish-stop structure whereby the plurality of mesas have the same thickness as the polish-stop structure; and replacing the dummy mesas with an insulator material whereby to electrically isolate the device mesas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus D. Beyer, Mark A. Jaso, Subramanian S. Iyer, Scott R. Stiffler, James D. Warnock
  • Patent number: 5245206
    Abstract: A capacitor is provided having a substrate and a first capacitor plate including a lattice mismatched crystalline material is formed over and supported by a surface of the substrate. A layer of insulating material is formed over and supported by the first capacitor plate. A second capacitor plate including a layer of conductive material is formed over and supported by the layer of insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Louis L. Hsu, Toshio Mii, Joseph F. Shepard, Scott R. Stiffler, Manu J. Tejwani, Edward J. Vishnesky
  • Patent number: 4649627
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a shared element semiconductor structure in which the insulating layer of a silicon-on-insulator structure is patterned to form a gate oxide. The bulk semiconductor underlying the insulating layer is defined into an FET (field-effect transistor) with its gate region below the gate oxide. The epitaxial layer above the insulating layer is defined into another FET with its drain region above the gate oxide, whereby the drain region also operates as the gate electrode for the bulk FET. Also described is a method of forming a silicon on insulator substrate with insulating layer usable as a gate oxide by means of bonding a silicon substrate to an oxidized epitaxial layer on another silicon seed substrate and then removing the seed substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Abernathey, Wayne I. Kinney, Jerome B. Lasky, Scott R. Stiffler