Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Tufts

Bruce J. Tufts 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: 11990364
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing IC components using bottom-up fill of openings with a dielectric material. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes, first, depositing a solid dielectric liner on the inner surfaces of the openings using a non-flowable process, and subsequently filling the remaining empty volume of the openings with a fill dielectric using a flowable process. Such a combination method may maximize the individual strengths of the non-flowable and flowable processes due to the synergetic effect achieved by their combined use, while reducing their respective drawbacks. Assemblies and devices manufactured using such methods are disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ebony L. Mays, Bruce J. Tufts
  • Patent number: 11978657
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing IC components using bottom-up fill of openings with a dielectric material. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes, first, depositing a solid dielectric liner on the inner surfaces of the openings using a non-flowable process, and subsequently filling the remaining empty volume of the openings with a fill dielectric using a flowable process. Such a combination method may maximize the individual strengths of the non-flowable and flowable processes due to the synergetic effect achieved by their combined use, while reducing their respective drawbacks. Assemblies and devices manufactured using such methods are disclosed as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ebony L. Mays, Bruce J. Tufts
  • Publication number: 20230128779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing IC components using bottom-up fill of openings with a dielectric material. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes, first, depositing a solid dielectric liner on the inner surfaces of the openings using a non-flowable process, and subsequently filling the remaining empty volume of the openings with a fill dielectric using a flowable process. Such a combination method may maximize the individual strengths of the non-flowable and flowable processes due to the synergetic effect achieved by their combined use, while reducing their respective drawbacks. Assemblies and devices manufactured using such methods are disclosed as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Ebony L. MAYS, Bruce J. TUFTS
  • Publication number: 20200365447
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for manufacturing IC components using bottom-up fill of openings with a dielectric material. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes, first, depositing a solid dielectric liner on the inner surfaces of the openings using a non-flowable process, and subsequently filling the remaining empty volume of the openings with a fill dielectric using a flowable process. Such a combination method may maximize the individual strengths of the non-flowable and flowable processes due to the synergetic effect achieved by their combined use, while reducing their respective drawbacks. Assemblies and devices manufactured using such methods are disclosed as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ebony L. Mays, Bruce J. Tufts
  • Publication number: 20040101667
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including: determining whether a surface of a dielectric layer is reactive; activating the surface if the surface is not reactive; performing a cycle on the surface, the cycle including: reacting the surface with a metal; and activating the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Jennifer O'Loughlin, Andrew W. Ott, Bruce J. Tufts
  • Patent number: 6713873
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method including: determining whether a surface of a dielectric layer is reactive; activating the surface if the surface is not reactive; performing a cycle on the surface, the cycle including: reacting the surface with a metal; and activating the metal. The present invention also discloses a structure including: a substrate; a first interlayer dielectric located over the substrate; a first adhesion promoter layer located over the first interlayer dielectric; an etch stop layer located over the first adhesion promoter layer; a second adhesion promoter layer located over the etch stop layer; and a second interlayer dielectric located over the second adhesion promoter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer O'Loughlin, Andrew W. Ott, Bruce J. Tufts