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).

  • Publication number: 20120025345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: ALAN B. BOTULA, Alvin J. Joseph, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110284961
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20110260281
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Beth Ann Rainey, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8026131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak, James A. Slinkman
  • Patent number: 8021943
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, BethAnn Rainey, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Publication number: 20110221510
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
  • Patent number: 8008142
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan D. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 7999320
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20110131542
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Alvin J. Joseph, Max G. Levy, Richard A. Phelps, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110127529
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Alvin J. Joseph, Max G. Levy, Richard A. Phelps, James A. Slinkman, Randy L. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110124177
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, BethAnn Rainey, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Publication number: 20100244934
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20100230751
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20100156510
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20100156511
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Edward J. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20100156526
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Edward J. Nowak, Yun Shi, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20090250772
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Stephen E. Luce, John J. Pekarik, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 7477497
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Steven H. Voldman
  • Publication number: 20070297107
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Steven H. Voldman