Patents by Inventor Xiuyu Cai

Xiuyu Cai 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: 20190148557
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and a replacement metal gate (RMG) structure is attached to the substrate. The RMG structure includes a lower portion and an upper tapered portion. A source junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a first low-k spacer portion. A drain junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a second low-k spacer portion. A first oxide layer is disposed on the source junction, and attached to the first low-k spacer portion. A second oxide layer is disposed on the drain junction, and attached to the second low-k spacer portion. A cap layer is disposed on a top surface layer of the RMG structure and attached to the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10290636
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device may include forming first and second semiconductor regions laterally adjacent one another and each comprising a first semiconductor material. The method may further include forming an in-situ doped, punch-through stopper layer above the second semiconductor region comprising the first semiconductor material and a first dopant, and forming a semiconductor buffer layer above the punch-through stopper layer, where the punch-through stopper layer includes the first semiconductor material. The method may also include forming a third semiconductor region above the semiconductor buffer layer, where the third semiconductor region includes a second semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Chun-chen Yeh, Ruilong Xie, Xiuyu Cai
  • Patent number: 10276573
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a bulk substrate layer that extends along a first axis to define a width and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis to define a height. A plurality of hetero semiconductor fins includes an epitaxial material formed on a first region of the bulk substrate layer. A plurality of non-hetero semiconductor fins is formed on a second region of the bulk substrate layer different from the first region. The non-hetero semiconductor fins are integrally formed from the bulk substrate layer such that the material of the non-hetero semiconductor fins is different from the epitaxial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Qing Liu, Ruilong Xie, Chun-chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 10256304
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin patterned in a substrate; a gate disposed over and substantially perpendicular to the fin; a pair of epitaxial contacts including a III-V material over the fin and on opposing sides of the gate; and a channel region between the pair of epitaxial contacts under the gate including an undoped III-V material between doped III-V materials, the doped III-V materials including a dopant in an amount in a range from about 1e18 to about 1e20 atoms/cm3 and contacting the epitaxial contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Qing Liu, Kejia Wang, Ruilong Xie, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 10249726
    Abstract: One illustrative example of a transistor device disclosed herein includes, among other things, a gate structure, first and second spacers positioned adjacent opposite sides of the gate structure, and a multi-layer gate cap structure positioned above the gate structure and the upper surface of the spacers. The multi-layer gate cap structure includes a first gate cap material layer positioned on an upper surface of the gate structure and on the upper surfaces of the first and second spacers, a first high-k protection layer positioned on an upper surface of the first gate cap material layer and a second gate cap material layer positioned on an upper surface of the high-k protection layer. The first and second gate cap layers comprise different materials than the first high-k protection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Chanro Park, Xiuyu Cai
  • Patent number: 10217869
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and a replacement metal gate (RMG) structure is attached to the substrate. The RMG structure includes a lower portion and an upper tapered portion. A source junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a first low-k spacer portion. A drain junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a second low-k spacer portion. A first oxide layer is disposed on the source junction, and attached to the first low-k spacer portion. A second oxide layer is disposed on the drain junction, and attached to the second low-k spacer portion. A cap layer is disposed on a top surface layer of the RMG structure and attached to the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10153371
    Abstract: A method is for making a semiconductor device. The method may include forming fins above a substrate, each fin having an upper fin portion including a first semiconductor material and a lower fin portion including a dielectric material. The method may include forming recesses into sidewalls of each lower fin portion to expose a lower surface of a respective upper fin portion, and forming a second semiconductor layer surrounding the fins including the exposed lower surfaces of the upper fin portions. The second semiconductor layer may include a second semiconductor material to generate stress in the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Qing Liu, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10134840
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of fabricating a portion of a nanowire field effect transistor (FET). The method includes forming a sacrificial layer and a nanowire layer, removing a sidewall portion of the sacrificial layer and forming a diffusion block in a space that was occupied by the removed sidewall portion of the sacrificial layer. The method further includes forming a source region and a drain region such that the diffusion block is between the sacrificial layer and at least one of the source region and the drain region, and removing the sacrificial layer using a sacrificial layer removal process, wherein the diffusion block prevents the sacrificial layer removal process from also removing portions of at least one of the source region and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC., STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chun-Chen Yeh, Xiuyu Cai, Qing Liu, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10134903
    Abstract: A method forms a vertical slit transistor includes raised source, drain, and channel regions in a semiconductor substrate. Two gate electrodes are formed adjacent respective sidewalls of the semiconductor substrate. The method forms dielectric material separating the gate electrodes from the source and drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC., INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Xiuyu Cai, Chun-chen Yeh, Ruilong Xie
  • Publication number: 20180277648
    Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor device include forming a first spacer on a plurality of fins. A second spacer is formed on the first spacer, the second spacer being formed from a different material from the first spacer. Gaps between the fins are filled with a support material. The first spacer and second spacer are polished to expose a top surface of the plurality of fins. All of the support material is etched away after polishing the first spacer and second spacer. The plurality of fins is etched below a bottom level of the first spacer to form a fin cavity. Material from the first spacer is removed to expand the fin cavity. Fin material is grown directly on the etched plurality of fins to fill the fin cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10062762
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for reducing the resistance of the middle of the line in a transistor. The transistor has electrical contacts formed above, and electrically connected to, the gate, drain and source. The electrical contact connected to the gate includes a tungsten contact member deposited over the gate, and a copper contact deposited over the tungsten contact member. The electrical contacts connected to the drain and source include tungsten portions deposited over the drain and source regions, and copper contacts deposited over the tungsten portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC., INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qing Liu, Xiuyu Cai, Chun-chen Yeh, Ruilong Xie
  • Publication number: 20180219096
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, and a replacement metal gate (RMG) structure is attached to the substrate. The RMG structure includes a lower portion and an upper tapered portion. A source junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a first low-k spacer portion. A drain junction is disposed on the substrate and attached to a second low-k spacer portion. A first oxide layer is disposed on the source junction, and attached to the first low-k spacer portion. A second oxide layer is disposed on the drain junction, and attached to the second low-k spacer portion. A cap layer is disposed on a top surface layer of the RMG structure and attached to the first oxide layer and the second oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 10032884
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods for making the same includes conformally forming a first spacer on a plurality of fins. A second spacer is conformally formed on the first spacer, the second spacer being formed from a different material from the first spacer. The plurality of fins are etched below a bottom level of the first spacer to form a fin cavity. Material from the first spacer is removed to expand the fin cavity. Fin material is grown directly on the etched plurality of fins to fill the fin cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10032912
    Abstract: A modified silicon substrate having a substantially defect-free strain relaxed buffer layer of SiGe is suitable for use as a foundation on which to construct a high performance CMOS FinFET device. The substantially defect-free SiGe strain-relaxed buffer layer can be formed by making cuts in, or segmenting, a strained epitaxial film, causing edges of the film segments to experience an elastic strain relaxation. When the segments are small enough, the overall film is relaxed so that the film is substantially without dislocation defects. Once the substantially defect-free strain-relaxed buffer layer is formed, strained channel layers can be grown epitaxially from the relaxed SRB layer. The strained channel layers are then patterned to create fins for a FinFET device. In one embodiment, dual strained channel layers are formed—a tensilely strained layer for NFET devices, and a compressively strained layer for PFET devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC., INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Morin, Kangguo Cheng, Jody Fronheiser, Xiuyu Cai, Juntao Li, Shogo Mochizuki, Ruilong Xie, Hong He, Nicolas Loubet
  • Publication number: 20180190787
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and structures for protecting gates during epitaxial growth. An inner spacer of a first material is deposited adjacent a transistor gate. An outer spacer of a different material is deposited adjacent the inner spacer. Stressor cavities are formed adjacent the transistor gate. The inner spacer is recessed, forming a divot. The divot is filled with a material to protect the transistor gate. The stressor cavities are then filled. As the gate is safely protected, unwanted epitaxial growth (“mouse ears”) on the transistor gate is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Ying Hao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10014379
    Abstract: One method disclosed includes forming a final gate structure in a gate cavity that is laterally defined by sidewall spacers, removing a portion of the sidewall spacers to define recessed sidewall spacers, removing a portion of the final gate structure to define a recessed final gate structure and forming an etch stop on the recessed sidewall spacers and the recessed final gate structure. A transistor device disclosed herein includes a final gate structure that has an upper surface positioned at a first height level above a surface of a substrate, sidewall spacers positioned adjacent the final gate structure, the sidewall spacers having an upper surface that is positioned at a second, greater height level above the substrate, an etch stop layer formed on the upper surfaces of the sidewall spacers and the final gate structure, and a conductive contact that is conductively coupled to a contact region of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Xiuyu Cai
  • Patent number: 10014299
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a field effect transistor device comprises forming a fin on a substrate, forming a first dummy gate stack and a second dummy gate stack over the fin, forming spacers adjacent to the fin, the first dummy gate stack, and the second dummy gate stack, etching to remove portions of the fin and form a first cavity partially defined by the spacers, depositing an insulator material in the first cavity, patterning a mask over the first dummy gate stack and portions of the fin, etching to remove exposed portions of the insulator material, and epitaxially growing a first semiconductor material on exposed portions of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Sanjay C. Mehta, Tenko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10008415
    Abstract: A gate structure straddling a plurality of semiconductor material portions is formed. Source regions and drain regions are formed in the plurality of semiconductor material portions, and a gate spacer laterally surrounding the gate structure is formed. Epitaxial active regions are formed from the source and drain regions by a selective epitaxy process. The assembly of the gate structure and the gate spacer is cut into multiple portions employing a cut mask and an etch to form multiple gate assemblies. Each gate assembly includes a gate structure portion and two disjoined gate spacer portions laterally spaced by the gate structure portion. Portions of the epitaxial active regions can be removed from around sidewalls of the gate spacers to prevent electrical shorts among the epitaxial active regions. A dielectric spacer or a dielectric liner may be employed to limit areas in which metal semiconductor alloys are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Johnathan E. Faltermeier, Ali Khakifirooz, Theodorus E. Standaert, Ruilong Xie
  • Publication number: 20180175202
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin patterned in a substrate; a gate disposed over and substantially perpendicular to the fin; a pair of epitaxial contacts including a III-V material over the fin and on opposing sides of the gate; and a channel region between the pair of epitaxial contacts under the gate including an undoped III-V material between doped III-V materials, the doped III-V materials including a dopant in an amount in a range from about 1e18 to about 1e20 atoms/cm3 and contacting the epitaxial contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Qing Liu, Kejia Wang, Ruilong Xie, Chun-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 9985135
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor material portion located on a substrate and extending along a lengthwise direction, a gate stack overlying a portion of the semiconductor material portion, and a first low-k spacer portion and a second low-k spacer portion abutting the gate stack and spaced from each other by the gate stack along said lengthwise direction. The first low-k spacer portion and the second low-k spacer portion each part of a recessed dummy gate structure on the substrate and a sacrificial spacer with gaps around and above a portion of the dummy gate stack. The gaps are filled in with the first low-k spacer portion and the second low-k spacer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Xiuyu Cai, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Ruilong Xie