Patents by Inventor Christoph A. Wasshuber

Christoph A. Wasshuber 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: 8581233
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-electron transistor device 100. The device comprises a source 105 and drain 110 located over a substrate 115 and a quantum island 120 situated between the source and drain, to form tunnel junctions 125, 130 between the source and drain. The device further includes a fixed-gate electrode 135 located adjacent the quantum island 120. The fixed-gate electrode has a capacitance associated therewith that varies as a function of an applied voltage to the fixed-gate electrode. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a single-electron device 300, and a transistor circuit 800 that include a single-electron device 810.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7939398
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a single-electron transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a thinned region in a silicon substrate, the thinned region offset by a non-selected region. The method also includes forming at least one quantum island from the thinned region by subjecting the thinned region to an annealing process. The non-selected region is aligned with the quantum island and tunnel junctions are formed between the quantum island and the non-selected region. The present invention also includes a single-electron device, and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit that includes a single-electron device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christoph Wasshuber, Gabriel G. Barna, Olivier A. Faynot
  • Publication number: 20100062587
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a single-electron transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a thinned region in a silicon substrate, the thinned region offset by a non-selected region. The method also includes forming at least one quantum island from the thinned region by subjecting the thinned region to an annealing process. The non-selected region is aligned with the quantum island and tunnel junctions are formed between the quantum island and the non-selected region. The present invention also includes a single-electron device, and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit that includes a single-electron device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christoph Wasshuber, Gabriel George Barna, Olivier Alain Faynot
  • Publication number: 20100019227
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-electron transistor device 100. The device comprises a source 105 and drain 110 located over a substrate 115 and a quantum island 120 situated between the source and drain, to form tunnel junctions 125, 130 between the source and drain. The device further includes a fixed-gate electrode 135 located adjacent the quantum island 120. The fixed-gate electrode has a capacitance associated therewith that varies as a function of an applied voltage to the fixed-gate electrode. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a single-electron device 300, and a transistor circuit 800 that include a single-electron device 810.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7619241
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-electron transistor device 100. The device comprises a source 105 and drain 110 located over a substrate 115 and a quantum island 120 situated between the source and drain, to form tunnel junctions 125, 130 between the source and drain. The device further includes a fixed-gate electrode 135 located adjacent the quantum island 120. The fixed-gate electrode has a capacitance associated therewith that varies as a function of an applied voltage to the fixed-gate electrode. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a single-electron device 300, and a transistor circuit 800 that include a single-electron device 810.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7550343
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure used in manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a substrate layer. The structure also includes first and second isolation regions formed by etching an oxide layer provided on the substrate layer to define an epitaxial growth surface of the substrate layer for epitaxial growth of a substrate material on the epitaxial growth surface between the first and second isolation regions. The structure also includes an active region that includes the epitaxially-grown substrate material between the first and second isolation regions, the active region formed by epitaxially growing the substrate material on the epitaxial growth surface of the substrate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph A. Wasshuber
  • Publication number: 20080272442
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that employ high-k dielectric layers. An n-type well region (304) is formed within a semiconductor body (302). A threshold voltage adjustment implant is performed by implanting a p-type dopant into the n-type well region to form a counter doped region (307). A high-k dielectric layer (308) is formed over the device (300). A polysilicon layer (310) is formed on the high-k dielectric layer and doped n-type. The high-k dielectric layer (308) and the polysilicon layer (310) are patterned to form polysilicon gate structures. P-type source/drain regions (306) are formed within the n-type well region (304).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramesh Venugopal, Christoph Wasshuber, David Barry Scott
  • Patent number: 7427543
    Abstract: The present invention provides source/drain electrode 100 for a transistor 105. The source/drain electrode 100 comprises a plurality of polysilicon grains 100 located over a source/drain region 115. A metal salicide layer 120 conformally coats the plurality of polysilicon grains. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating the above described source/drain electrode 200, and integrated circuit 800 have includes a semiconductor device 805 having the described source/drain electrodes 810.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Majid M. Mansoori, Christoph A. Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7407850
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that employ high-k dielectric layers. An n-type well region (304) is formed within a semiconductor body (302). A threshold voltage adjustment implant is performed by implanting a p-type dopant into the n-type well region to form a counter doped region (307). A high-k dielectric layer (308) is formed over the device (300). A polysilicon layer (310) is formed on the high-k dielectric layer and doped n-type. The high-k dielectric layer (308) and the polysilicon layer (310) are patterned to form polysilicon gate structures. P-type source/drain regions (306) are formed within the n-type well region (304).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramesh Venugopal, Christoph Wasshuber, David Barry Scott
  • Patent number: 7339214
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selectively inducing stress in a semiconductor device, wherein a first region of a substrate is implanted so as to induce stress in a second region. An electrical device is formed at least partially in the second region, wherein the induced stress therein may improve one or more operational characteristics of the device, such as channel region carrier mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christoph Wasshuber, Keith A. Joyner
  • Patent number: 7208379
    Abstract: A method for multiplying the pitch of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a patterned mask layer on a first layer, where the patterned mask layer has a first line width. The first layer can then be etched to form a first plurality of sloped sidewalls. After removing a portion of the patterned mask so that the patterned mask layer has a second line width less than the first line width, the first layer can be etched again to form a second plurality of sloped sidewalls. The patterned mask layer can then be removed. The first layer can be etched again to form a third plurality of sloped sidewalls. The first plurality of sloped sidewalls, the second plurality of sloped sidewalls, and the third plurality of sloped sidewalls can form an array of parallel triangular channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramesh Venugopal, Christoph Wasshuber
  • Publication number: 20070080340
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-electron transistor device 100. The device comprises a source 105 and drain 110 located over a substrate 115 and a quantum island 120 situated between the source and drain, to form tunnel junctions 125, 130 between the source and drain. The device further includes a fixed-gate electrode 135 located adjacent the quantum island 120. The fixed-gate electrode has a capacitance associated therewith that varies as a function of an applied voltage to the fixed-gate electrode. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a single-electron device 300, and a transistor circuit 800 that include a single-electron device 810.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7166858
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single-electron transistor device 100. The device comprises a source 105 and drain 110 located over a substrate 115 and a quantum island 120 situated between the source and drain, to form tunnel junctions 125, 130 between the source and drain. The device further includes a fixed-gate electrode 135 located adjacent the quantum island 120. The fixed-gate electrode has a capacitance associated therewith that varies as a function of an applied voltage to the fixed-gate electrode. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating a single-electron device 300, and a transistor circuit 800 that include a single-electron device 810.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Publication number: 20070007596
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a single-electron transistor device (100). The method includes forming a thinned region (110) in a silicon substrate (105), the thinned region (110) offset by a non-selected region (115). The method also includes forming at least one quantum island (145) from the thinned region (110) by subjecting the thinned region (110) to an annealing process. The non-selected region (115) is aligned with the quantum island (145) and tunnel junctions (147) are formed between the quantum island (145) and the non-selected region (115). The present invention also includes a single-electron device (200), and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (300) that includes a single-electron device (305).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christoph Wasshuber, Gabriel Barna, Olivier Faynot
  • Publication number: 20060275992
    Abstract: The present invention provides source/drain electrode 100 for a transistor 105. The source/drain electrode 100 comprises a plurality of polysilicon grains 100 located over a source/drain region 115. A metal salicide layer 120 conformally coats the plurality of polysilicon grains. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating the above described source/drain electrode 200, and integrated circuit 800 have includes a semiconductor device 805 having the described source/drain electrodes 810.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Majid Mansoori, Christoph Wasshuber
  • Publication number: 20060244097
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure used in manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a substrate layer. The structure also includes first and second isolation regions formed by etching an oxide layer provided on the substrate layer to define an epitaxial growth surface of the substrate layer for epitaxial growth of a substrate material on the epitaxial growth surface between the first and second isolation regions. The structure also includes an active region that includes the epitaxially-grown substrate material between the first and second isolation regions, the active region formed by epitaxially growing the substrate material on the epitaxial growth surface of the substrate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventor: Christoph Wasshuber
  • Patent number: 7122413
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a single-electron transistor device (100). The method includes forming a thinned region (110) in a silicon substrate (105), the thinned region (110) offset by a non-selected region (115). The method also includes forming at least one quantum island (145) from the thinned region (110) by subjecting the thinned region (110) to an annealing process. The non-selected region (115) is aligned with the quantum island (145) and tunnel junctions (147) are formed between the quantum island (145) and the non-selected region (115). The present invention also includes a single-electron device (200), and a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit (300) that includes a single-electron device (305).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christoph Wasshuber, Gabriel George Barna, Olivier Alain Faynot
  • Publication number: 20060223248
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that employ high-k dielectric layers. An n-type well region (304) is formed within a semiconductor body (302). A threshold voltage adjustment implant is performed by implanting a p-type dopant into the n-type well region to form a counter doped region (307). A high-k dielectric layer (308) is formed over the device (300). A polysilicon layer (310) is formed on the high-k dielectric layer and doped n-type. The high-k dielectric layer (308) and the polysilicon layer (310) are patterned to form polysilicon gate structures. P-type source/drain regions (306) are formed within the n-type well region (304).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Ramesh Venugopal, Christoph Wasshuber, David Scott
  • Patent number: 7109556
    Abstract: The present invention provides source/drain electrode 100 for a transistor 105. The source/drain electrode 100 comprises a plurality of polysilicon grains 100 located over a source/drain region 115. A metal salicide layer 120 conformally coats the plurality of polysilicon grains. The present invention also includes a method of fabricating the above described source/drain electrode 200, and integrated circuit 800 have includes a semiconductor device 805 having the described source/drain electrodes 810.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Majid M. Mansoori, Christoph Wasshuber
  • Publication number: 20060113636
    Abstract: A method for multiplying the pitch of a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes forming a patterned mask layer on a first layer, where the patterned mask layer has a first line width. The first layer can then be etched to form a first plurality of sloped sidewalls. After removing a portion of the patterned mask so that the patterned mask layer has a second line width less than the first line width, the first layer can be etched again to form a second plurality of sloped sidewalls. The patterned mask layer can then be removed. The first layer can be etched again to form a third plurality of sloped sidewalls. The first plurality of sloped sidewalls, the second plurality of sloped sidewalls, and the third plurality of sloped sidewalls can form an array of parallel triangular channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Ramesh Venugopal, Christoph Wasshuber