Patents by Inventor Verne Hornback

Verne Hornback 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: 8384165
    Abstract: A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carter, Wai Lo, Sey-Shing Sun, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback
  • Patent number: 7915122
    Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned logic cell. A nanotube layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A clamp layer is formed over the nanotube layer. The clamp layer covers the nanotube layer, thereby protecting the nanotube layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the clamp layer. The dielectric layer is etched. The clamp layer provides an etch stop and protects the nanotube layer. The clamp layer is etched with an isotropic etchant that etches the clamp layer underneath the dielectric layer, creating an overlap of the dielectric layer, and causing a self-alignment between the clamp layer and the dielectric layer. A spacer layer is formed over the nanotube layer. The spacer layer is etched except for a ring portion around the edge of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Carter, Hemanshu D. Bhatt, Shiqun Gu, Peter A. Burke, James R. B. Elmer, Sey-Shing Sun, Byung-Sung Kwak, Verne Hornback
  • Publication number: 20080308882
    Abstract: A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard J. Carter, Wai Lo, Sey-Shing Sun, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback
  • Patent number: 7405116
    Abstract: A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Carter, Wai Lo, Sey-Shing Sun, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback
  • Patent number: 7312127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer. A metal silicate dielectric layer is initially deposited on the wafer. A dopant having dissociable oxygen is introduced into the metal silicate on the wafer. According to one embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal and the dopant is an oxide of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. According to another embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group III metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Wai Lo, Verne Hornback, Wilbur G. Catabay, Wei-Jen Hsia, Sey-Shing Sun
  • Patent number: 7189628
    Abstract: Dual trench depths are achieved on the same wafer by forming an initial trench having a depth corresponding to the difference in final depths of the shallow and deep trenches. A second mask is used to open areas for the deep trenches over the preliminary trenches and for the shallow trenches at additional locations. Etching of the shallow and deep trenches then proceeds simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Mirbedini, Venkatesh P. Gopinath, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback, Dodd Defibaugh, Ynhi Le
  • Publication number: 20060281256
    Abstract: A method of forming a self-aligned logic cell. A nanotube layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A clamp layer is formed over the nanotube layer. The clamp layer covers the nanotube layer, thereby protecting the nanotube layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the clamp layer. The dielectric layer is etched. The clamp layer provides an etch stop and protects the nanotube layer. The clamp layer is etched with an isotropic etchant that etches the clamp layer underneath the dielectric layer, creating an overlap of the dielectric layer, and causing a self-alignment between the clamp layer and the dielectric layer. A spacer layer is formed over the nanotube layer. The spacer layer is etched except for a ring portion around the edge of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Carter, Hemanshu Bhatt, Shiqun Gu, Peter Burke, James Elmer, Sey-Shing Sun, Byung-Sung Kwak, Verne Hornback
  • Publication number: 20060166496
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer. A metal silicate dielectric layer is initially deposited on the wafer. A dopant having dissociable oxygen is introduced into the metal silicate on the wafer. According to one embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal and the dopant is an oxide of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. According to another embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group III metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Wai Lo, Verne Hornback, Wilbur Catabay, Wei-Jen Hsia, Sey-Shing Sun
  • Patent number: 7064062
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer. A metal silicate dielectric layer is initially deposited on the wafer. A dopant having dissociable oxygen is introduced into the metal silicate on the wafer. According to one embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal and the dopant is an oxide of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. According to another embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group III metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Wai Lo, Verne Hornback, Wilbur G. Catabay, Wei-Jen Hsia, Sey-Shing Sun
  • Publication number: 20060035425
    Abstract: A method to maintain a well-defined gate stack profile, deposit or grow a uniform gate dielectric, and maintain gate length CD control by means of an inert insulating liner deposited after dummy gate etch and before the spacer process. The liner material is selective to wet chemicals used to remove the dummy gate oxide thereby preventing undercut in the spacer region. The method is aimed at making the metal gate electrode technology a feasible technology with maximum compatibility with the existing fabrication environment for multiple generations of CMOS transistors, including those belonging to the 65 nm, 45 nm and 25 nm technology nodes, that are being used in analog, digital or mixed signal integrated circuit for various applications such as communication, entertainment, education and security products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Carter, Wai Lo, Sey-Shing Sun, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback
  • Publication number: 20050127458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a high-k dielectric layer on a semiconductor wafer. A metal silicate dielectric layer is initially deposited on the wafer. A dopant having dissociable oxygen is introduced into the metal silicate on the wafer. According to one embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal and the dopant is an oxide of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. According to another embodiment the metal silicate comprises a group IV metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Wai Lo, Verne Hornback, Wilbur Catabay, Wei-Jen Hsia, Sey-Shing Sun
  • Patent number: 6864152
    Abstract: Dual trench depths are achieved on the same wafer by forming an initial trench having a depth corresponding to the difference in final depths of the shallow and deep trenches. A second mask is used to open areas for the deep trenches over the preliminary trenches and for the shallow trenches at additional locations. Etching of the shallow and deep trenches then proceeds simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Mirbedini, Venkatesh P. Gopinath, Hong Lin, Verne Hornback, Dodd Defibaugh, Ynhi Le
  • Patent number: 6355532
    Abstract: A short vertical channel, dual-gate, CMOS FET is fabricated by forming a plurality of channel segments in a starting material that extend longitudinally between source and drain areas. The channel segments are laterally separated from one another by spaces and are preferably formed from pillars of starting material located between the spaces. The pillars are laterally oxidized and the oxidation is removed to reduce the width of the pillars and form the channel segments. A gate structure is formed in the spaces between the channel segments. The width of each pillar is defined by conventional, contemporaneous photolithographic exposure and etching, but the width of each channel segment is substantially less than the width of the etch resistant barrier created photolithographically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Seliskar, Verne Hornback, David Daniel
  • Patent number: 6071562
    Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient process for depositing a titanium nitride film on a substrate. The process comprises the steps of heating the substrate and subsequently exposing the heated substrate to a first gas containing tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium and to a second gas containing tetrakis(diethylamido)titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Verne Hornback, Derryl Allman