Patents by Inventor Brian J. Greene

Brian J. Greene 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: 9379185
    Abstract: A dummy gate structure straddling at least one semiconductor fin is formed on a substrate. Active semiconductor regions and raised active semiconductor regions may be formed. A planarization dielectric layer is formed over the at least one semiconductor fin, and the dummy gate structure is removed to provide a gate cavity. Electrical dopants in the channel region can be removed by outgassing during an anneal, thereby lowering the concentration of the electrical dopants in the channel region. Alternately or additionally, carbon can be implanted into the channel region to deactivate remaining electrical dopants in the channel region. The threshold voltage of the field effect transistor can be effectively controlled by the reduction of active electrical dopants in the channel region. A replacement gate electrode can be subsequently formed in the gate cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Murshed M. Chowdhury, Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar
  • Patent number: 9349609
    Abstract: A method including forming a structure including a plurality of semiconductor devices surrounded by a dielectric layer such that a top surface of the dielectric layer is substantially flush with a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor devices, depositing a thermal optimization layer above the structure, patterning the thermal optimization layer such that a portion of the thermal optimization layer is removed from a above first region of the structure and another portion of the thermal optimization layer remains above a second region of the structure, the first region having a different thermal conductivity than the second region, and heating the structure, the patterned thermal optimization layer causing substantially uniform thermal absorption of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Yue Liang, Xiaojun Yu
  • Patent number: 9337338
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region and at least one trench isolation region at a perimeter of the active region, and a functional gate structure present on a portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate. Embedded semiconductor regions are present in the active region of the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the portion of the active region that the functional gate structure is present on. A portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate separates the outermost edge of the embedded semiconductor regions from the at least one isolation region. Methods of forming the aforementioned device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Yue Liang, Xiaojun Yu
  • Publication number: 20160111447
    Abstract: Merged fin structures for finFET devices and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method of forming the structure includes forming a plurality of fin structures on an insulator layer. The method further includes forming a faceted structure on adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures. The method further includes spanning a gap between the faceted structures on the adjacent fin structures with a semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Andres BRYANT, Brian J. GREENE, Jeffrey B. JOHNSON, Mickey H. YU
  • Patent number: 9312274
    Abstract: Merged fin structures for finFET devices and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method of forming the structure includes forming a plurality of fin structures on an insulator layer. The method further includes forming a faceted structure on adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures. The method further includes spanning a gap between the faceted structures on the adjacent fin structures with a semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Andres Bryant, Brian J. Greene, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Mickey H. Yu
  • Patent number: 9305999
    Abstract: A stack pad layers including a first pad oxide layer, a pad nitride layer, and a second pad oxide layer are formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A deep trench extending below a top surface or a bottom surface of a buried insulator layer of the SOI substrate and enclosing at least one top semiconductor region is formed by lithographic methods and etching. A stress-generating insulator material is deposited in the deep trench and recessed below a top surface of the SOI substrate to form a stress-generating buried insulator plug in the deep trench. A silicon oxide material is deposited in the deep trench, planarized, and recessed. The stack of pad layer is removed to expose substantially coplanar top surfaces of the top semiconductor layer and of silicon oxide plugs. The stress-generating buried insulator plug encloses, and generates a stress to, the at least one top semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Brian J. Greene, Dureseti Chidambarrao, Gregory G. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160093720
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor structure, as well as a semiconductor structure, that uses a partial removal of an insulating layer around a semiconductor fin, and subsequently epitaxially growing an additional semiconductor material in the exposed regions, while maintaining the shape of the fin with the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Brian J. Greene, Eric C. T. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Renee T. Mo, Yinxiao Yang
  • Patent number: 9299780
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on an insulator layer of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of gate stacks on the insulator layer. Each gate stack wraps around a respective portion of the semiconductor fins. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the insulator layer. The dielectric layer fills voids between the semiconductor fins and gate stacks, and covers the semiconductor fins. The method further includes etching at least one portion of the semiconductor fins until reaching the insulator layer such that at least one cavity is formed. The cavity exposes seed regions of the semiconductor fins located between adjacent gate stacks. The method further includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the seed regions to form source/drain regions corresponding to a respective gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20160043082
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, conformally depositing a nitride liner above and in direct contact with the plurality of fins and the substrate, removing a top portion of the nitride liner above the plurality of fins to expose a top surface of the plurality of fins, forming a gate over a first portion of the plurality of fins, a second portion of the plurality of fins remains exposed, forming spacers on opposite sidewalls of the nitride liner on the second portion of the plurality of fins, removing the second portion of the plurality of fins to form a trench between opposing sidewalls of the nitride liner, and forming an epitaxial layer in the trench, the lateral growth of the epitaxial layer is constrained by the nitride liner to form constrained source-drain regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20160035831
    Abstract: A dummy gate structure straddling at least one semiconductor fin is formed on a substrate. Active semiconductor regions and raised active semiconductor regions may be formed. A planarization dielectric layer is formed over the at least one semiconductor fin, and the dummy gate structure is removed to provide a gate cavity. Electrical dopants in the channel region can be removed by outgassing during an anneal, thereby lowering the concentration of the electrical dopants in the channel region. Alternately or additionally, carbon can be implanted into the channel region to deactivate remaining electrical dopants in the channel region. The threshold voltage of the field effect transistor can be effectively controlled by the reduction of active electrical dopants in the channel region. A replacement gate electrode can be subsequently formed in the gate cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Murshed M. Chowdhury, Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar
  • Patent number: 9252215
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on an insulator layer of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of gate stacks on the insulator layer. Each gate stack wraps around a respective portion of the semiconductor fins. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the insulator layer. The dielectric layer fills voids between the semiconductor fins and gate stacks, and covers the semiconductor fins. The method further includes etching at least one portion of the semiconductor fins until reaching the insulator layer such that at least one cavity is formed. The cavity exposes seed regions of the semiconductor fins located between adjacent gate stacks. The method further includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the seed regions to form source/drain regions corresponding to a respective gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20160013185
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, a gate is formed over a first portion of the plurality of fins with a second portion of the plurality of fins remaining exposed. Spacers are formed on opposite sidewalls of the second portion of the plurality of fins. The second portion of the plurality fins is removed to form a trench between the spacers. An epitaxial layer is formed in the trench. The spacers on opposite sides of the epitaxial layer constrain lateral growth of the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20150357412
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on an insulator layer of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of gate stacks on the insulator layer. Each gate stack wraps around a respective portion of the semiconductor fins. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the insulator layer. The dielectric layer fills voids between the semiconductor fins and gate stacks, and covers the semiconductor fins. The method further includes etching at least one portion of the semiconductor fins until reaching the insulator layer such that at least one cavity is formed. The cavity exposes seed regions of the semiconductor fins located between adjacent gate stacks. The method further includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the seed regions to form source/drain regions corresponding to a respective gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20150349089
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region and at least one trench isolation region at a perimeter of the active region, and a functional gate structure present on a portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate. Embedded semiconductor regions are present in the active region of the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the portion of the active region that the functional gate structure is present on. A portion of the active region of the semiconductor substrate separates the outermost edge of the embedded semiconductor regions from the at least one isolation region. Methods of forming the aforementioned device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Yue Liang, Xiaojun Yu
  • Publication number: 20150333145
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a finFET and method of fabrication to achieve advantages of both merged and unmerged fins. A first step of epitaxy is performed with either partial diamond or full diamond growth. This is followed by a second step of deposition of a semiconductor cap region on the finFET source/drain area using a directional deposition process, followed by an anneal to perform Solid Phase Epitaxy or poly recrystalization. As a result, the fins remain unmerged, but the epitaxial volume is increased to provide reduced contact resistance. Embodiments of the present invention allow a narrower fin pitch, which enables increased circuit density on an integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Chudzik, Brian J. Greene, Edward P. Maciejewski, Kevin McStay, Shreesh Narasimha, Chengwen Pei, Werner A. Rausch
  • Publication number: 20150333087
    Abstract: A dielectric material layer is formed on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate including a top semiconductor layer containing a first semiconductor material. An opening is formed within the dielectric material layer, and a trench is formed in the top semiconductor layer within the area of the opening by an etch. A second semiconductor material is deposited to a height above the top surface of the top semiconductor layer employing a selective epitaxy process. Another dielectric material layer can be deposited, and another trench can be formed in the top semiconductor layer. Another semiconductor material can be deposited to a different height employing another selective epitaxy process. The various semiconductor material portions can be patterned to form semiconductor fins having different heights and/or different compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Augustin J. Hong, Byeong Y. Kim, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20150311343
    Abstract: A dummy gate structure straddling at least one semiconductor fin is formed on a substrate. Active semiconductor regions and raised active semiconductor regions may be formed. A planarization dielectric layer is formed over the at least one semiconductor fin, and the dummy gate structure is removed to provide a gate cavity. Electrical dopants in the channel region can be removed by outgassing during an anneal, thereby lowering the concentration of the electrical dopants in the channel region. Alternately or additionally, carbon can be implanted into the channel region to deactivate remaining electrical dopants in the channel region. The threshold voltage of the field effect transistor can be effectively controlled by the reduction of active electrical dopants in the channel region. A replacement gate electrode can be subsequently formed in the gate cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Murshed M. Chowdhury, Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar
  • Patent number: 9171954
    Abstract: FinFET structures and methods of manufacturing the FinFET structures are disclosed. The method includes performing an oxygen anneal process on a gate stack of a FinFET structure to induce Vt shift. The oxygen anneal process is performed after sidewall pull down and post silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC
    Inventors: Eduard A. Cartier, Brian J. Greene, Dechao Guo, Gan Wang, Yanfeng Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
  • Publication number: 20150279958
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on an insulator layer of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of gate stacks on the insulator layer. Each gate stack wraps around a respective portion of the semiconductor fins. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the insulator layer. The dielectric layer fills voids between the semiconductor fins and gate stacks, and covers the semiconductor fins. The method further includes etching at least one portion of the semiconductor fins until reaching the insulator layer such that at least one cavity is formed. The cavity exposes seed regions of the semiconductor fins located between adjacent gate stacks. The method further includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the seed regions to form source/drain regions corresponding to a respective gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Arvind Kumar, Dan M. Mocuta
  • Publication number: 20150279692
    Abstract: A method including forming a structure including a plurality of semiconductor devices surrounded by a dielectric layer such that a top surface of the dielectric layer is substantially flush with a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor devices, depositing a thermal optimization layer above the structure, patterning the thermal optimization layer such that a portion of the thermal optimization layer is removed from a above first region of the structure and another portion of the thermal optimization layer remains above a second region of the structure, the first region having a different thermal conductivity than the second region, and heating the structure, the patterned thermal optimization layer causing substantially uniform thermal absorption of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian J. Greene, Yue Liang, Xiaojun Yu