Patents by Inventor Alvin J. Joseph

Alvin J. Joseph 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: 8492843
    Abstract: A varactor diode includes a portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a gate electrode located thereupon. A first electrode having a doping of a first conductivity type laterally abuts a doped semiconductor region having the first conductivity type, which laterally abuts a second electrode having a doping of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A hyperabrupt junction is formed between the second doped semiconductor region and the second electrode. The gate electrode controls the depletion of the first and second doped semiconductor regions, thereby varying the capacitance of the varactor diode. A design structure for the varactor diode is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Johnson, Alvin J. Joseph, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8492272
    Abstract: A method for forming passivated through wafer vias, passivated through wafer via structures, and passivated through wafer via design structures. The method includes: forming a through wafer via in a semiconductor substrate, the through wafer via comprising an electrical conductor extending from a top of the semiconductor substrate to a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a doped layer abutting all sidewalls of the electrical conductor, the doped layer of a same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the concentration of dopant in the doped layer greater than the concentration of dopant in the semiconductor substrate, the doped layer intervening between the electrical conductor and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Mark D. Jaffe, Alvin J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8482067
    Abstract: A lateral, extended drain, metal oxide semiconductor, field effect transistor (LEDMOSFET) with a high drain-to-body breakdown voltage (Vb) incorporates gate structure extensions on opposing sides of a drain drift region. The extensions are tapered such that a distance between each extension and the drift region increases linearly from one end adjacent to the channel region to another end adjacent to the drain region. In one embodiment, these extensions can extend vertically through the isolation region that surrounds the LEDMOSFET. In another embodiment, the extensions can sit atop the isolation region. In either case, the extensions create a strong essentially uniform horizontal electric field profile within the drain drift. Also disclosed are a method for forming the LEDMOSFET with a specific Vb by defining the dimensions of the extensions and a program storage device for designing the LEDMOSFET to have a specific Vb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Theodore J. Letavic, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20130168835
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, a method of forming a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer substrate includes: providing a handle substrate; forming a high resistivity material layer over the handle substrate, the high resistivity material layer including one of an amorphous silicon carbide (SiC), a polycrystalline SiC, an amorphous diamond, or a polycrystalline diamond; forming an insulator layer over the high resistivity material layer; and bonding a donor wafer to a top surface of the insulator layer to form the SOI wafer substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Mark D. Jaffe, Alvin J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 8471340
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 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: 20130141114
    Abstract: A non-linear kerf monitor, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The structure includes a coplanar waveguide provided in a kerf of a wafer between a first chip and a second chip. The structure further includes a shunt switch and a series switch coupled to the coplanar waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. BOTULA, Alvin J. JOSEPH, Randy L. WOLF
  • Publication number: 20130140668
    Abstract: A substrate includes a first region having a first resistivity, for optimizing a field effect transistor, a second region having a second resistivity, for optimizing an npn subcollector of a bipolar transistor device and triple well, a third region having a third resistivity, with a high resistivity for a passive device, a fourth region, substantially without implantation, to provide low perimeter capacitance for devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Renata Camillo-Castillo, James S. Dunn, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Douglas B. Hershberger, Alvin J. Joseph, Mark E. Stidham, Robert M. Rassel
  • Patent number: 8436446
    Abstract: A method, structure, and design structure for a through-silicon-via Wilkinson power divider. A method includes: forming an input on a first side of a substrate; forming a first leg comprising a first through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the first leg electrically connects the input and a first output; forming a second leg comprising a second through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the second leg electrically connects the input and a second output, and forming a resistor electrically connected between the first output and the second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Alvin J. Joseph, Wayne H. Woods, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8405186
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an improved transistor structure (e.g., a bipolar transistor (BT) structure or heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure) and a method of forming the transistor structure. The structure embodiments can incorporate a dielectric layer sandwiched between an intrinsic base layer and a raised extrinsic base layer to reduce collector-base capacitance Ccb, a sidewall-defined conductive strap for an intrinsic base layer to extrinsic base layer link-up region to reduce base resistance Rb and a dielectric spacer between the extrinsic base layer and an emitter layer to reduce base-emitter Cbe capacitance. The method embodiments allow for self-aligning of the emitter to base regions and further allow the geometries of different features (e.g., the thickness of the dielectric layer, the width of the conductive strap, the width of the dielectric spacer and the width of the emitter layer) to be selectively adjusted in order to optimize transistor performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Mattias E. Dahlstrom, Peter B. Gray, David L. Harame, Russell T. Herrin, Alvin J. Joseph, Andreas D. Stricker
  • Publication number: 20130026646
    Abstract: A method for forming passivated through wafer vias, passivated through wafer via structures, and passivated through wafer via design structures. The method includes: forming a through wafer via in a semiconductor substrate, the through wafer via comprising an electrical conductor extending from a top of the semiconductor substrate to a bottom surface of the semiconductor substrate; and forming a doped layer abutting all sidewalls of the electrical conductor, the doped layer of a same dopant type as the semiconductor substrate, the concentration of dopant in the doped layer greater than the concentration of dopant in the semiconductor substrate, the doped layer intervening between the electrical conductor and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Mark D. Jaffe, Alvin J. Joseph
  • Publication number: 20130009280
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating bipolar junction transistors, bipolar junction transistors made by the methods, and design structures for a bipolar junction transistor. The bipolar junction transistor includes a dielectric layer on an intrinsic base and an extrinsic base at least partially separated from the intrinsic base by the dielectric layer. An emitter opening extends through the extrinsic base and the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is recessed laterally relative to the emitter opening to define a cavity between the intrinsic base and the extrinsic base. The cavity is filled with a semiconductor layer that physically links the extrinsic base and the intrinsic base together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Peter B. Gray, David L. Harame, Alvin J. Joseph, Marwan H. Khater, Qizhi Liu
  • Publication number: 20130001589
    Abstract: A lateral, extended drain, metal oxide semiconductor, field effect transistor (LEDMOSFET) with a high drain-to-body breakdown voltage (Vb) incorporates gate structure extensions on opposing sides of a drain drift region. The extensions are tapered such that a distance between each extension and the drift region increases linearly from one end adjacent to the channel region to another end adjacent to the drain region. In one embodiment, these extensions can extend vertically through the isolation region that surrounds the LEDMOSFET. In another embodiment, the extensions can sit atop the isolation region. In either case, the extensions create a strong essentially uniform horizontal electric field profile within the drain drift. Also disclosed are a method for forming the LEDMOSFET with a specific Vb by defining the dimensions of the extensions and a program storage device for designing the LEDMOSFET to have a specific Vb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Theodore J. Letavic, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20130005108
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), an integrated circuit (IC) chip including at least one HBT and a method of forming the IC. The HBT includes an extrinsic base with one or more buried interstitial barrier layer. The extrinsic base may be heavily doped with boron and each buried interstitial barrier layer is doped with a dopant containing carbon, e.g., carbon or SiGe:C. The surface of the extrinsic base may be silicided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wade J. Hodge, Alvin J. Joseph, Rajendran Krishnasamy, Qizhi Liu, Bradley A. Orner
  • Patent number: 8299558
    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 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8299500
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), an integrated circuit (IC) chip including at least one HBT and a method of forming the IC. The HBT includes an extrinsic base with one or more buried interstitial barrier layer. The extrinsic base may be heavily doped with boron and each buried interstitial barrier layer is doped with a dopant containing carbon, e.g., carbon or SiGe:C. The surface of the extrinsic base may be silicided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wade J. Hodge, Alvin J. Joseph, Rajendran Krishnasamy, Qizhi Liu, Bradley A. Orner
  • Patent number: 8299547
    Abstract: A lateral, extended drain, metal oxide semiconductor, field effect transistor (LEDMOSFET) with a high drain-to-body breakdown voltage (Vb) incorporates gate structure extensions on opposing sides of a drain drift region. The extensions are tapered such that a distance between each extension and the drift region increases linearly from one end adjacent to the channel region to another end adjacent to the drain region. In one embodiment, these extensions can extend vertically through the isolation region that surrounds the LEDMOSFET. In another embodiment, the extensions can sit atop the isolation region. In either case, the extensions create a strong essentially uniform horizontal electric field profile within the drain drift. Also disclosed are a method for forming the LEDMOSFET with a specific Vb by defining the dimensions of the extensions and a program storage device for designing the LEDMOSFET to have a specific Vb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Theodore J. Letavic, James A. Slinkman
  • Publication number: 20120261719
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to heterojunction bipolar transistors. The structure includes two devices connected by metal wires on a same wiring level. The metal wire of a first of the two devices is formed by selectively forming a metal cap layer on copper wiring structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James S. DUNN, Alvin J. JOSEPH, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Publication number: 20120212303
    Abstract: A method, structure, and design structure for a through-silicon-via Wilkinson power divider. A method includes: forming an input on a first side of a substrate; forming a first leg comprising a first through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the first leg electrically connects the input and a first output; forming a second leg comprising a second through-silicon-via formed in the substrate, wherein the second leg electrically connects the input and a second output, and forming a resistor electrically connected between the first output and the second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi DING, Alvin J. JOSEPH, Wayne H. WOODS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120199907
    Abstract: A varactor diode includes a portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a gate electrode located thereupon. A first electrode having a doping of a first conductivity type laterally abuts a doped semiconductor region having the first conductivity type, which laterally abuts a second electrode having a doping of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A hyperabrupt junction is formed between the second doped semiconductor region and the second electrode. The gate electrode controls the depletion of the first and second doped semiconductor regions, thereby varying the capacitance of the varactor diode. A design structure for the varactor diode is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Johnson, Alvin J. Joseph, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8237191
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture semiconductors are provided which relate to heterojunction bipolar transistors. The method includes forming two devices connected by metal wires on a same wiring level. The metal wire of a first of the two devices is formed by selectively forming a metal cap layer on copper wiring structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dunn, Alvin J. Joseph, Anthony K. Stamper