Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Briggs

Benjamin D. Briggs 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: 20200126854
    Abstract: Techniques for dielectric damage-free interconnects are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming a Cu interconnect structure includes: forming a via and trench in a dielectric over a metal line M1; depositing a first barrier layer into the via and trench; removing the first barrier layer from the via and trench bottoms using neutral beam oxidation, and removing oxidized portions of the first barrier layer such that the first barrier layer remains along only sidewalls of the via and trench; depositing Cu into the via in direct contact with the metal line M1 to form a via V1; lining the trench with a second barrier layer; and depositing Cu into the trench to form a metal line M2. The second barrier layer can instead include Mn or optionally CuMn so as to further serve as a seed layer. A Cu interconnect structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Benjamin D. Briggs, Gangadhara Raja Muthinti, Cornelius Brown Peethala, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20200125969
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a cognitive system using an autonomous vehicle includes a plurality of sensors configured to obtain the weather forecast for a pollution detectable area; a cognitive input to determine the pollution detectable area having highest sensitivity of pollution; a light detecting and ranging system configured to spatially probe pollution levels distributed in the pollution detectable area; an evaluation system to evaluate the probed pollution levels in the pollution detectable area; and a recommendation system for recommending an action to be taken based on evaluation system results of the probed pollution levels in the pollution detectable area, wherein the pollution levels are detected based light emitted by the light detecting and ranging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger, Michael Rizzolo
  • Patent number: 10629009
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle is identified. One or more specifications of the unmanned vehicle are retrieved in response to the identification. A first characteristic of the unmanned vehicle is observed. The observed first characteristic is compared to the retrieved specifications. A compliance standard of the unmanned vehicle is determined. The determination is based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yuk L. Chan, Eileen P. Tedesco, Kyle Gilbertson, Daniel F. Hogerty, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Benjamin D. Briggs
  • Patent number: 10629478
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric spacer along sidewalls of a plurality of interconnect openings extending through a sacrificial dielectric layer and a first dielectric layer until a top portion of a first conductive material, the dielectric spacer includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of the sacrificial dielectric layer and higher than a dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer, conformally depositing a barrier liner within the plurality of interconnect openings above and in direct contact with the dielectric spacer, filling the interconnect openings with a second conductive material, removing the sacrificial dielectric layer to expose portions of the dielectric spacer above the first dielectric layer, and reducing a thickness of exposed portions of the dielectric spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Huai Huang, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Patent number: 10615119
    Abstract: Techniques facilitating back end of line electrical fuse structure and method of fabrication are provided. A device can comprise a first metal interconnect formed in a dielectric layer of a semiconductor chip. The device can also comprise a second metal interconnect formed in the dielectric layer and adjacent to the first metal interconnect. Further, the device can comprise a vertical electrical fuse element comprising a first portion of a conductive material deposited on a first surface of the first metal interconnect and a second portion of the conductive material deposited on a second surface of the second metal interconnect. The vertical electrical fuse element can comprise a first region comprising a first thickness and a second region comprising a second thickness different than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Michael Rizzolo, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 10606231
    Abstract: A computer-mediated physical damping feedback system includes a motion damping device, a voltage conversion controller, and a voltage generator controller. The motion damping device is worn by a participant present in a real-world environment, and is configured to vary a moveable flexibility of the participant in response to receiving an electrical voltage. The voltage conversion controller is in signal communication with a computer-mediated environment engine (CMEE) controller, and is configured to determine a voltage level of the electrical voltage based at least in part on the interaction between the participant and a computer-mediated environment. The voltage generator controller is in signal communication with the motion damping device and the voltage conversion controller. The voltage generator controller is configured to generate the electrical voltage at the voltage level that induces the stress applied by the motion damping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo, Aldis Sipolins
  • Publication number: 20200098499
    Abstract: An electrical device structure including a magnetic tunnel junction structure having a first tunnel junction dielectric layer positioned between a free magnetization layer and a fixed magnetization layer. A magnetization enhancement stack present on the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The magnetization enhancement stack includes a second tunnel junction layer that is in contact with the free magnetization layer of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, a metal contact layer present on the second tunnel junction layer, and a metal electrode layer present on the metal contact layer. A metallic ring on a sidewall of the magnetic enhancement stack, wherein a base of the metallic ring may be in contact with the free magnetization layer of the magnetic tunnel junction structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Benjamin D. Briggs, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, Lawrence A. Clevenger, James Stathis
  • Publication number: 20200091079
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided and includes first and second dielectrics, first and second conductive elements, a self-formed-barrier (SFB) and a liner. The first and second dielectrics are disposed with one of first-over-second dielectric layering and second-over-first dielectric layering. The first and second conductive elements are respectively suspended at least partially within a lower one of the first and second dielectrics and at least partially within the other one of the first and second dielectrics. The self-formed-barrier (SFB) is formed about a portion of one of the first and second conductive elements which is suspended in the second dielectric. The liner is deposited about a portion of the other one of the first and second conductive elements which is partially suspended in the first dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Takeshi Nogami, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo
  • Patent number: 10593506
    Abstract: A field emission transistor includes a gate, a fold over emitter, and fold over collector. The emitter and the collector are separated from the gate by a void and are separated from a gate contact by gate contact dielectric. The void may be a vacuum, ambient air, or a gas. Respective ends of the emitter and the collector are separated by a gap. Electrons are drawn across gap from the emitter to the collector by an electrostatic field created when a voltage is applied to the gate. The emitter and collector include a first conductive portion substantially parallel with gate and a second conductive portion substantially perpendicular with gate. The second conductive portion may be formed by bending a segment of the first conductive portion. The second conductive portion is folded inward from the first conductive portion towards the gate. Respective second conductive portions are generally aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Michael Rizzolo
  • Publication number: 20200081761
    Abstract: Methods and systems for printing accurate three-dimensional structures include printing an original three-dimensional structure according to an original three-dimensional model. The original three-dimensional model is adjusted to reduce measured differences between the printed three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model, by adding material to the original three-dimensional model in proportion to an amount of thermal contraction in a region. An adjusted three-dimensional structure is printed according to the adjusted three-dimensional model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo, Aldis G. Sipolins
  • Patent number: 10586767
    Abstract: A method for fabricating semiconductor wafers comprises creating a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of wide copper wires and a plurality of narrow copper wires embedded in a dielectric insulator. The width of each wide copper wire is greater than a cutoff value and each narrow copper is less than the cutoff value. An optical pass through layer is deposited over a top surface of the wafer and a photo-resist layer is deposited over the optical pass through layer. The wafer is exposed to a light source to selectively remove photo-resist, forming a self-aligned pattern where photo-resist only remains in areas above wide copper wires. The self-aligned pattern is transferred to the optical pass through layer and the remaining photo-resist is removed. The wafer is chemically etched to remove the narrow copper wires, defining narrow gaps in the dielectric insulator. The wafer is metallized with non-copper metal, forming narrow non-copper metal wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Cornelius Brown Peethala, Michael Rizzolo, Koichi Motoyama, Gen Tsutsui, Ruqiang Bao, Gangadhara Raja Muthinti, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 10580435
    Abstract: Monitoring and analysis of a user's speech to detect symptoms of a mental health disorder by continuously monitoring a user's speech in real-time to generate audio data based, transcribing the audio data to text and analyzing the text of the audio data to determine a sentiment of the audio data is disclosed. A trained machine learning model may be applied to correlate the text and the determined sentiment to clinical information associated with symptoms of a mental health disorder to determine whether the symptoms are a symptom event. The initial determination may be transmitted to a second device to determine (and/or verify) whether or not the symptom event was falsely recognized. The trained machine learning model may be updated based on a response from the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Maryam Ashoori, Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 10580740
    Abstract: Low-temperature techniques for doping of Cu interconnects based on interfacially-assisted thermal diffusion are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming doped copper interconnects includes the steps of: patterning at least one trench in a dielectric material; forming a barrier layer lining the trench; forming a metal liner on the barrier layer; depositing a seed layer on the metal liner; plating a Cu fill into the trench to form Cu interconnects; removing a portion of a Cu overburden to access an interface between the metal liner and the Cu fill; depositing a dopant layer; and diffusing a dopant(s) from the dopant layer along the interface to form a Cu interconnect doping layer between the metal liner and the Cu fill. Alternatively, the overburden and the barrier layer/metal liner can be completely removed, and the dopant layer deposited selectively on the Cu fill. An interconnect structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Chao-Kun Hu, Takeshi Nogami, Deepika Priyadarshini, Michael Rizzolo
  • Publication number: 20200065762
    Abstract: Aspects include a system, method and computer program product for delivering a package via an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A delivery parameter for delivering the package via the UAV is obtained. A weather parameter related to the delivery parameter is obtained. A flight configured for the UAV is selected, wherein the selected flight configuration reduces a delivery cost of the package via the UAV based on the weather parameter and the delivery parameter. The package is delivered using the selected flight configuration of the UAV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger, Aldis Sipolins, Michael Rizzolo, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny
  • Publication number: 20200058590
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of trenches in a dielectric layer, wherein the plurality of trenches each comprise a rounded surface, depositing a liner layer on the rounded surface of each of plurality of trenches, and depositing a conductive layer on the liner layer in each of the plurality of trenches, wherein the conductive layer and the liner layer form a plurality of interconnects, and each of the plurality of interconnects has a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Michael Rizzolo, Christopher J. Penny, Huai Huang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Publication number: 20200058591
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of trenches in a dielectric layer, wherein the plurality of trenches each comprise a rounded surface, depositing a liner layer on the rounded surface of each of plurality of trenches, and depositing a conductive layer on the liner layer in each of the plurality of trenches, wherein the conductive layer and the liner layer form a plurality of interconnects, and each of the plurality of interconnects has a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Michael Rizzolo, Christopher J. Penny, Huai Huang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Publication number: 20200058594
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming the semiconductor device are described. The method includes recessing a device pad to below a top surface of an interconnect layer and depositing a cap in the recess over the device pad. A topography assist layer is formed over each of at least one alignment mark using a selective deposition process that deposits material on conductive material of the at least one alignment mark selective to the metal nitride of the device pad such that a top surface of the topography assist feature is higher than a top surface of the cap. Device layers are deposited conformally over the interconnect layer such that the topography assist layer causes a topographical feature in a top surface of the deposited device layers, the topographical feature being vertically aligned with the topography assist layer. The device pad is aligned according to the topographical feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Rizzolo, Chih-Chao Yang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Benjamin D. Briggs
  • Publication number: 20200051924
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming the semiconductor device are described. The method includes recessing a device pad to below a top surface of an interconnect layer and depositing a cap in the recess over the device pad. A topography assist layer is formed over each of at least one alignment mark using a selective deposition process that deposits material on conductive material of the at least one alignment mark selective to the metal nitride of the device pad such that a top surface of the topography assist feature is higher than a top surface of the cap. Device layers are deposited conformally over the interconnect layer such that the topography assist layer causes a topographical feature in a top surface of the deposited device layers, the topographical feature being vertically aligned with the topography assist layer. The device pad is aligned according to the topographical feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Rizzolo, Chih-Chao Yang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Benjamin D. Briggs
  • Patent number: 10553789
    Abstract: A method includes forming a memory element on a first metal layer. A first cap layer is formed on the first metal layer and sidewalls of the memory element. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first cap layer and a portion of the cap layer on sidewalls of the memory element. A second metal layer is formed on the first dielectric layer. A portion of the memory element is removed and forms an opening. A second cap layer is formed on the top surface of the second metal layer. A second dielectric layer is deposited on the second cap layer and filling the opening. A via is etched in the second dielectric layer exposing a top surface of the memory element. A third metal layer is deposited on the second dielectric layer and filling the via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Benjamin D. Briggs, Chih-Chao Yang, Hsueh-Chung Chen, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 10545806
    Abstract: Methods and systems for printing accurate three-dimensional structures include printing a three-dimensional structure according to an original three-dimensional model. The original three-dimensional model is adjusted to reduce measured differences between the printed three-dimensional structure and the original three-dimensional model. A three-dimensional structure is printed according to the adjusted three-dimensional model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Leigh Anne H. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo, Aldis G. Sipolins