Patents by Inventor Alan B. Botula
Alan B. Botula 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).
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Publication number: 20120025345Abstract: A method, integrated circuit and design structure includes a silicon substrate layer having trench structures and an ion impurity implant. An insulator layer is positioned on and contacts the silicon substrate layer. The insulator layer fills the trench structures. A circuitry layer is positioned on and contacts the buried insulator layer. The circuitry layer comprises groups of active circuits separated by passive structures. The trench structures are positioned between the groups of active circuits when the integrated circuit structure is viewed from the top view. Thus, the trench structures are below the passive structures and are not below the groups of circuits when the integrated circuit structure is viewed from the top view.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: ALAN B. BOTULA, Alvin J. Joseph, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
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Publication number: 20110284961Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode comprises a doped guard ring having a doping of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The Schottky barrier diode further comprises a first-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a first conductivity type, which is the opposite of the second conductivity type, on one side of a dummy gate electrode and a Schottky barrier structure surrounded by the doped guard ring on the other side. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by the dummy gate electrode and the doped guard ring. The doped guard ring includes an unmetallized portion of a gate-side second-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a second conductivity type. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by a doped guard ring including a gate-side doped semiconductor region and a STI-side doped semiconductor region. Design structures for the inventive Schottky barrier diode are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
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Publication number: 20110260281Abstract: Integrated circuits having doped bands in a substrate and beneath high-voltage semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) devices are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides an integrated circuit comprising: a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) wafer including: a substrate; a buried oxide (BOX) layer atop the substrate; and a semiconductor layer atop the BOX layer; a plurality of high voltage (HV) devices connected in series within the semiconductor layer; a doped band within the substrate and below a first of the plurality of HV devices; and a contact extending from the semiconductor layer and through the BOX layer to the doped band.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Beth Ann Rainey, Yun Shi
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Patent number: 8026131Abstract: First doped semiconductor regions having the same type doping as a bottom semiconductor layer and second doped semiconductor regions having an opposite type doping are formed directly underneath a buried insulator layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The first doped semiconductor regions and the second doped semiconductor regions are electrically grounded or forward-biased relative to the bottom semiconductor layer at a voltage that is insufficient to cause excessive current due to forward-biased injection of minority carriers into the bottom semiconductor layer, i.e., at a potential difference not exceeding 0.6 V to 0.8V.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak, James A. Slinkman
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Patent number: 8021943Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method comprises providing a structure which includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of subsurface layers, the substrate comprising a top surface and the subsurface layers comprising a top subsurface layer below the top surface of the substrate. A protective material is patterned on the top surface of the device and a material removal process is performed to simultaneously form a contact trench and an isolation trench, the material removal process removing at least a portion of the top surface and the top subsurface layer such that the contact trench and the isolation trench are formed within the subsurface layer. An insulator is then formed within the isolation trench and the contact trench is lined with the insulator. The contact trench is then filled with a conductive material such that the conductive material is deposited over the insulator.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, BethAnn Rainey, Daniel S. Vanslette
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Publication number: 20110221510Abstract: A doped contact region having an opposite conductivity type as a bottom semiconductor layer is provided underneath a buried insulator layer in a bottom semiconductor layer. At least one conductive via structure extends from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer and to the doped contact region. The doped contact region is biased at a voltage that is at or close to a peak voltage in the RF switch that removes minority charge carriers within the induced charge layer. The minority charge carriers are drained through the doped contact region and the at least one conductive via structure. Rapid discharge of mobile electrical charges in the induce charge layer reduces harmonic generation and signal distortion in the RF switch. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
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Patent number: 8008142Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode comprises a doped guard ring having a doping of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The Schottky barrier diode further comprises a first-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a first conductivity type, which is the opposite of the second conductivity type, on one side of a dummy gate electrode and a Schottky barrier structure surrounded by the doped guard ring on the other side. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by the dummy gate electrode and the doped guard ring. The doped guard ring includes an unmetallized portion of a gate-side second-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a second conductivity type. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by a doped guard ring including a gate-side doped semiconductor region and a STI-side doped semiconductor region. Design structures for the inventive Schottky barrier diode are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan D. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
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Patent number: 7999320Abstract: A doped contact region having an opposite conductivity type as a bottom semiconductor layer is provided underneath a buried insulator layer in a bottom semiconductor layer. At least one conductive via structure extends from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer and to the doped contact region. The doped contact region is biased at a voltage that is at or close to a peak voltage in the RF switch that removes minority charge carriers within the induced charge layer. The minority charge carriers are drained through the doped contact region and the at least one conductive via structure. Rapid discharge of mobile electrical charges in the induce charge layer reduces harmonic generation and signal distortion in the RF switch. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
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Publication number: 20110131542Abstract: Disclosed is semiconductor structure with an insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate and a device layer is on the insulator layer. The substrate is doped with a relatively low dose of a dopant having a given conductivity type such that it has a relatively high resistivity. Additionally, a portion of the semiconductor substrate immediately adjacent to the insulator layer can be doped with a slightly higher dose of the same dopant, a different dopant having the same conductivity type or a combination thereof. Optionally, micro-cavities are created within this same portion so as to balance out any increase in conductivity with a corresponding increase in resistivity. Increasing the dopant concentration at the semiconductor substrate-insulator layer interface raises the threshold voltage (Vt) of any resulting parasitic capacitors and, thereby reduces harmonic behavior. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and a design structure for such a semiconductor structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Alvin J. Joseph, Max G. Levy, Richard A. Phelps, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
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Publication number: 20110127529Abstract: Disclosed is semiconductor structure with an insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate and a device layer is on the insulator layer. The substrate is doped with a relatively low dose of a dopant having a given conductivity type such that it has a relatively high resistivity. Additionally, a portion of the semiconductor substrate immediately adjacent to the insulator layer can be doped with a slightly higher dose of the same dopant, a different dopant having the same conductivity type or a combination thereof. Optionally, micro-cavities are created within this same portion so as to balance out any increase in conductivity due to increased doping with a corresponding increase in resistivity. Increasing the dopant concentration at the semiconductor substrate-insulator layer interface raises the threshold voltage (Vt) of any resulting parasitic capacitors and, thereby reduces harmonic behavior. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for forming such a semiconductor structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Alvin J. Joseph, Max G. Levy, Richard A. Phelps, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
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Publication number: 20110124177Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication method comprises providing a structure which includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of subsurface layers, the substrate comprising a top surface and the subsurface layers comprising a top subsurface layer below the top surface of the substrate. A protective material is patterned on the top surface of the device and a material removal process is performed to simultaneously form a contact trench and an isolation trench, the material removal process removing at least a portion of the top surface and the top subsurface layer such that the contact trench and the isolation trench are formed within the subsurface layer. An insulator is then formed within the isolation trench and the contact trench is lined with the insulator. The contact trench is then filled with a conductive material such that the conductive material is deposited over the insulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, BethAnn Rainey, Daniel S. Vanslette
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Publication number: 20100244934Abstract: At least one conductive via structure is formed from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer to a bottom semiconductor layer. The shallow trench isolation structure laterally abuts at least two field effect transistors that function as a radio frequency (RF) switch. The at least one conductive via structure and the at interconnect-level metal line may provide a low resistance electrical path from the induced charge layer in a bottom semiconductor layer to electrical ground, discharging the electrical charge in the induced charge layer. The discharge of the charge in the induced charge layer thus reduces capacitive coupling between the semiconductor devices and the bottom semiconductor layer, and thus secondary coupling between components electrically disconnected by the RF switch is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
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Publication number: 20100230751Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode comprises a doped guard ring having a doping of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The Schottky barrier diode further comprises a first-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a first conductivity type, which is the opposite of the second conductivity type, on one side of a dummy gate electrode and a Schottky barrier structure surrounded by the doped guard ring on the other side. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by the dummy gate electrode and the doped guard ring. The doped guard ring includes an unmetallized portion of a gate-side second-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a second conductivity type. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by a doped guard ring including a gate-side doped semiconductor region and a STI-side doped semiconductor region. Design structures for the inventive Schottky barrier diode are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
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Publication number: 20100156510Abstract: First doped semiconductor regions having the same type doping as a bottom semiconductor layer and second doped semiconductor regions having an opposite type doping are formed directly underneath a buried insulator layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The first doped semiconductor regions and the second doped semiconductor regions are electrically grounded or forward-biased relative to the bottom semiconductor layer at a voltage that is insufficient to cause excessive current due to forward-biased injection of minority carriers into the bottom semiconductor layer, i.e., at a potential difference not exceeding 0.6 V to 0.8V.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak, James A. Slinkman
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Publication number: 20100156511Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch located on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes at least one electrically biased region in a bottom semiconductor layer. The RF switch receives an RF signal from a power amplifier and transmits the RF signal to an antenna. The electrically biased region may be biased to eliminate or reduce accumulation region, to stabilize a depletion region, and/or to prevent formation of an inversion region in the bottom semiconductor layer, thereby reducing parasitic coupling and harmonic generation due to the RF signal. A voltage divider circuit and a rectifier circuit generate at least one bias voltage of which the magnitude varies with the magnitude of the RF signal. The at least one bias voltage is applied to the at least one electrically biased region to maintain proper biasing of the bottom semiconductor layer to minimize parasitic coupling, signal loss, and harmonic generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak
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Publication number: 20100156526Abstract: A doped contact region having an opposite conductivity type as a bottom semiconductor layer is provided underneath a buried insulator layer in a bottom semiconductor layer. At least one conductive via structure extends from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer and to the doped contact region. The doped contact region is biased at a voltage that is at or close to a peak voltage in the RF switch that removes minority charge carriers within the induced charge layer. The minority charge carriers are drained through the doped contact region and the at least one conductive via structure. Rapid discharge of mobile electrical charges in the induce charge layer reduces harmonic generation and signal distortion in the RF switch. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
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Publication number: 20090250772Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacture and, more particularly, a field effect transistor that has a body contact and method of manufacturing the same is provided. The structure includes a device having a raised source region of a first conductivity type and an active region below the raised source region extending to a body of the device. The active region has a second conductivity type different than the first conductivity type. A contact region is in electric contact with the active region. The method includes forming a raised source region over an active region of a device and forming a contact region of a same conductivity type as the active region, wherein the active region forms a contact body between the contact region and a body of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Stephen E. Luce, John J. Pekarik, Yun Shi
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Patent number: 7477497Abstract: An ESD bypass device for an emitter follower circuit includes a discharge device in parallel with the emitter follower circuit and control circuitry associated with the discharge device. The control circuitry is configured to prevent bypass current conduction through the discharge device in a normal mode of operation, and is configured to cause the discharge device to conduct bypass current during an ESD event. The control circuitry further includes a first transistor configured to pass input current to the discharge device for activating the discharge device during the ESD event, the first transistor further configured to prevent input current passing therethrough during the normal mode. A second transistor is configured to shunt leakage current, associated with the first transistor, from the input of the discharge device. The second transistor is further configured to prevent shunting of input current from the first transistor to the discharge device during the ESD event.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alan B. Botula, Steven H. Voldman
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Publication number: 20070297107Abstract: An ESD bypass device for an emitter follower circuit includes a discharge device in parallel with the emitter follower circuit and control circuitry associated with the discharge device. The control circuitry is configured to prevent bypass current conduction through the discharge device in a normal mode of operation, and is configured to cause the discharge device to conduct bypass current during an ESD event. The control circuitry further includes a first transistor configured to pass input current to the discharge device for activating the discharge device during the ESD event, the first transistor further configured to prevent input current passing therethrough during the normal mode. A second transistor is configured to shunt leakage current, associated with the first transistor, from the input of the discharge device. The second transistor is further configured to prevent shunting of input current from the first transistor to the discharge device during the ESD event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Alan B. Botula, Steven H. Voldman