Patents by Inventor Carolyn Block

Carolyn Block 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: 7220674
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin
  • Patent number: 6977220
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin
  • Publication number: 20040224507
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin
  • Publication number: 20040219788
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin
  • Patent number: 6800554
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin
  • Patent number: 6794755
    Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for altering the top surface of a metal interconnect. In one embodiment of the invention, a metal interconnect and a barrier layer are formed into an interlayer dielectric (ILD) and the metal interconnect and the barrier layer are planarized to the top of the ILD. The top surfaces of the metal interconnect, the barrier layer, and the ILD are altered with a second metal to form an electromigration barrier. In one embodiment of the invention, the second metal is prevented from contaminating the electrical resistivity of the metal interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jose A. Maiz, Xiaorong Morrow, Thomas Marieb, Carolyn Block, Jihperng Leu, Paul McGregor, Markus Kuhn, Mitchell C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20040056329
    Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for altering the top surface of a metal interconnect. In one embodiment of the invention, a metal interconnect and a barrier layer are formed into an interlaver dielectric (ILD) and the metal interconnect and the barrier layer are planarized to the top of the ILD. The top surfaces of the metal interconnect, the barrier layer, and the ILD are altered with a second metal to form an electromigration barrier. In one embodiment of the invention, the second metal is prevented from contaminating the electrical resistivity of the metal interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Jose A. Maiz, Xiaorong Morrow, Thomas Marieb, Carolyn Block, Jihperng Leu, Paul McGregor, Markus Kuhn, Mitchell C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20040056366
    Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for altering the top surface of a metal interconnect. In one embodiment of the invention, a metal interconnect and a barrier layer are formed into an interlayer dielectric (ILD) and the metal interconnect and the barrier layer are planarized to the top of the ILD. The top surfaces of the metal interconnect, the barrier layer, and the ILD are altered with a second metal to form an electromigration barrier. In one embodiment of the invention, the second metal is prevented from contaminating the electrical resistivity of the metal interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Jose A. Maiz, Xiaorong Morrow, Thomas Marieb, Carolyn Block, Jihperng Leu, Paul McGregor, Markus Kuhn, Mitchell C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020076925
    Abstract: Formation of copper alloy interconnect lines on integrated circuits includes introducing dopant elements into a copper layer. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doping layer over a copper layer, driving dopant material into the copper layer with a high temperature step, and polishing the copper layer to form individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by implanting dopants into individual lines. Copper alloy interconnect lines may be formed by providing a doped seed layer with a capping layer to prevent premature oxidation, forming an overlying copper layer, driving in the dopants, and polishing to form individual lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas N. Marieb, Paul McGregor, Carolyn Block, Shu Jin