Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Ulrich

Bruce D. Ulrich 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: 20030186503
    Abstract: A modified STI process is provided comprising forming a first polysilicon layer over a substrate. Forming a trench through the first polysilicon layer and into the substrate, and filling the trench with an oxide layer. Depositing a second polysilicon layer over the oxide, such that the bottom of the second polysilicon layer within the trench is above the bottom of the first polysilicon layer, and the top of the second polysilicon layer within the trench is below the top of the first polysilicon layer. The resulting structure may then be planarized using a CMP process. An alignment key may be formed by selectively etching the oxide layer. A third polysilicon layer may then be deposited and patterned using photoresist to form a gate structure. During patterning, exposed second polysilicon layer is etched. An etch stop is detected at the completion of removal of the second polysilicon layer. A thin layer of the first polysilicon layer remains, to be carefully removed using a subsequent selective etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu, Bruce D. Ulrich, Douglas J. Tweet, Lisa H. Stecker
  • Patent number: 6627510
    Abstract: A modified STI process is provided comprising forming a first polysilicon layer over a substrate. Forming a trench through the first polysilicon layer and into the substrate, and filling the trench with an oxide layer. Depositing a second polysilicon layer over the oxide, such that the bottom of the second polysilicon layer within the trench is above the bottom of the first polysilicon layer, and the top of the second polysilicon layer within the trench is below the top of the first polysilicon layer. The resulting structure may then be planarized using a CMP process. An alignment key may be formed by selectively etching the oxide layer. A third polysilicon layer may then be deposited and patterned using photoresist to form a gate structure. During patterning, exposed second polysilicon layer is etched. An etch stop is detected at the completion of removal of the second polysilicon layer. A thin layer of the first polysilicon layer remains, to be carefully removed using a subsequent selective etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Evans, Sheng Teng Hsu, Bruce D. Ulrich, Douglas J. Tweet, Lisa H. Stecker
  • Publication number: 20030180637
    Abstract: A two dimensional vernier is provided along with a method of fabrication. The two dimensional vernier has a reference array patterned into a substrate, or a material overlying the substrate. An active array is patterned into photoresist overlying the substrate or the material. Both the reference array and the active array each comprise a two dimensional array of shapes. A difference between a combination of size or spacing of the shapes in each array determines vernier resolution. Vernier range is determined by a combination of vernier resolution and an integer related to a total number of shapes along a given axis. The two dimensional vernier allows an operator to readily measure the misalignment of a pattern to be processed relative to a previous pattern in two dimensions using a microscope. The two dimensional vernier reduces, or eliminates, repositioning of the microscope to determine both x-axis misalignment and y-axis misalignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce D. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20030119242
    Abstract: A MFMOS one transistor memory structure for ferroelectric non-volatile memory devices includes a high dielectric constant material such as ZrO2, HfO2, Y2O3, or La2O3, or the like, or mixtures thereof, to reduce the operation voltage and to increase the memory window and reliability of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, Hong Ying, Bruce D. Ulrich, Yanjun Ma
  • Patent number: 6566148
    Abstract: A method of making a ferroelectric memory transistor includes preparing a silicon substrate including forming plural active areas thereon; depositing a layer of gate insulator on the substrate, and depositing a layer of polysilicon over the gate insulator layer; forming a source region, a drain region and a gate electrode; depositing a layer of bottom electrode material and finishing the bottom electrode without damaging the underlying gate insulator and silicon substrate; depositing a layer of ferroelectric material on the bottom electrode; depositing a layer of top electrode material on the ferroelectric material; and finishing the transistor, including passivation oxide deposition, contact hole etching and metalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Tingkai Li, Bruce D. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20030082909
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory device includes preparing a silicon substrate; depositing a layer of high-k insulator on the substrate; depositing a layer of buffering metal on the high-k layer; depositing a layer of ferroelectric material on the buffering layer by metal organic chemical vapor deposition; forming a top electrode on the ferroelectric material; and completing the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, Bruce D. Ulrich, Lisa Stecker
  • Publication number: 20030032206
    Abstract: A method of making a ferroelectric memory transistor includes preparing a silicon substrate including forming plural active areas thereon; depositing a layer of gate insulator on the substrate, and depositing a layer of polysilicon over the gate insulator layer; forming a source region, a drain region and a gate electrode; depositing a layer of bottom electrode material and finishing the bottom electrode without damaging the underlying gate insulator and silicon substrate; depositing a layer of ferroelectric material on the bottom electrode; depositing a layer of top electrode material on the ferroelectric material; and finishing the transistor, including passivation oxide deposition, contact hole etching and metalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Sheng Teng Hsu, Tingkai Li, Bruce D. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6503763
    Abstract: A MFMOS one transistor memory structure for ferroelectric non-volatile memory devices includes a high dielectric constant material such as ZrO2, HfO2, Y2O3, or La2O3, or the like, or mixtures thereof, to reduce the operation voltage and to increase the memory window and reliability of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, Hong Ying, Bruce D. Ulrich, Yanjun Ma
  • Publication number: 20020142487
    Abstract: A MFMOS one transistor memory structure for ferroelectric non-volatile memory devices includes a high dielectric constant material such as ZrO2, HfO2, Y2O3, or La2O3, or the like, or mixtures thereof, to reduce the operation voltage and to increase the memory window and reliability of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Tingkai Li, Sheng Teng Hsu, Hong Ying, Bruce D. Ulrich, Yanjun Ma