Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Penny

Christopher J. Penny 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: 12243819
    Abstract: Integrated chips include first lines, formed on an underlying substrate. Spacers are formed conformally on sidewalls of the plurality of lines. Etch stop remnants are positioned on the sidewalls of the plurality of lines, between the spacers and the underlying substrate. Second lines are formed on the underlying substrate, between respective pairs of adjacent first lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Alan Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20250062126
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 12218003
    Abstract: A method is presented forming a fully-aligned via (FAV) and airgaps within a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a plurality of copper (Cu) trenches within an insulating layer, forming a plurality of ILD regions over exposed portions of the insulating layer, selectively removing a first section of the ILD regions in an airgap region, and maintaining a second section of the ILD regions in a non-airgap region. The method further includes forming airgaps in the airgap region and forming a via in the non-airgap region contacting a Cu trench of the plurality of Cu trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Adeia Semiconductor Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Penny, Benjamin D. Briggs, Huai Huang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Michael Rizzolo, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Publication number: 20240413076
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a porous dielectric layer including a recessed portion, a conductive layer formed in the recessed portion, and a cap layer formed on the porous dielectric layer and on the conductive layer in the recessed portion, an upper surface of the porous dielectric layer being exposed through a gap in the cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin David Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Bartlet H. Deprospo, Huai Huang, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo
  • Patent number: 12156486
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a dielectric layer located between a first electrode and a second electrode and a third electrode located on the dielectric layer between the first electrode and the electrode, wherein the first electrode is separated from a first side of the third electrode by a first portion of the dielectric layer, and the second electrode is separated from a second side of the third electrode by a second portion of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Mathew Philip, Christopher J. Penny, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Youngseok Kim, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Patent number: 12106963
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Tessera LLC
    Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
  • Publication number: 20240321747
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a plurality of backside power islands, rather than backside power rails. The backside power islands are present in a first device track and a second device track. Each backside power island located in the first device track and the second device track are isolated by a first cut region, and the backside power islands that are located in the first device track are separated from the backside power islands located in the second device track by a second cut region. The second cut region is oriented perpendicular to the first cut region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Koichi Motoyama, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240234297
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first metal via disposed on a first metal line of a first metallization layer disposed in a dielectric layer, a first liner layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a second metallization layer containing a first metal line disposed on the first liner layer and the first metal via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Ruilong Xie, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, John Christopher Amold
  • Publication number: 20240222422
    Abstract: A multi-stack metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure includes a plurality of conductive plates including a first group comprising odd-numbered ones of the plates and a second group comprising even-numbered ones of the plates. All of the conductive plates are of an identical material. A plurality of insulators are between the plurality of conductive plates; and a first plate via contact extends vertically through the plurality of conductive plates and the plurality of insulators. The first plate via contact is electrically coupled to the first group of conductive plates and electrically isolated from the second group of conductive plates. The second plate via contact extends vertically through the plurality of conductive plates and the plurality of insulators. The second plate via contact is electrically coupled to the second group of conductive plates and electrically isolated from the first group of conductive plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua M. Rubin, Christopher J. Penny
  • Patent number: 11990410
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a conductive line formed on a conductive via, the conductive line being formed though a dielectric material. The IC includes an etch stop layer having one or more extended portions intervening between one or more edge portions of the conductive line and the conductive via, the one or more edge portions being at a periphery of the conductive line and the conductive via, the etch stop layer including a higher dielectric breakdown than the dielectric material. The one or more extended portions of the etch stop layer cause the conductive line to be formed with a bottom part having a reduced dimension than an upper part of the conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11961759
    Abstract: An interconnect structure for an integrated circuit includes a plurality of first-type interconnect elements and a second-type of interconnect element which directly contact an underlying first-type interconnect element. The second-type interconnect element extends along a first axis to define a horizontal length and along a second axis to define a vertical height. The second-type interconnect element and the first-type interconnect element define a conductive via comprising a metal material extending continuously along the second axis from a base of the underlying first-type interconnect element and stopping at the upper surface of the second-type interconnect element. The vertical height of the second-type interconnect element is greater than the vertical height of the first-type interconnect elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11955424
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a porous dielectric layer including a recessed portion, a conductive layer formed in the recessed portion, and a cap layer formed on the porous dielectric layer and on the conductive layer in the recessed portion, an upper surface of the porous dielectric layer being exposed through a gap in the cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Adeia Semiconductor Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin David Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Bartlet H. Deprospo, Huai Huang, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo
  • Publication number: 20240096693
    Abstract: A method is presented forming a fully-aligned via (FAV) and airgaps within a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a plurality of copper (Cu) trenches within an insulating layer, forming a plurality of ILD regions over exposed portions of the insulating layer, selectively removing a first section of the ILD regions in an airgap region, and maintaining a second section of the ILD regions in a non-airgap region. The method further includes forming airgaps in the airgap region and forming a via in the non-airgap region contacting a Cu trench of the plurality of Cu trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher J. Penny, Benjamin D. Briggs, Huai Huang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Michael Rizzolo, Hosadurga Shobha
  • Publication number: 20240096627
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure for etch masking that includes forming first dielectric spacers on sidewalls of a plurality of mandrel structures and forming non-mandrel structures in space between adjacent first dielectric spacers. Second dielectric spacers are formed on sidewalls of an etch mask having a window that exposes a connecting portion of a centralized first dielectric spacer. The connecting portion of the centralized first dielectric spacer is removed. The mandrel structures and non-mandrel structures are removed selectively to the first dielectric spacers to provide an etch mask. The connecting portion removed from the centralized first dielectric spacer provides an opening connecting a first trench corresponding to the mandrel structures and a second trench corresponding to the non-mandrel structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Sean D. Burns, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Matthew E. Colburn, Nelson M. Felix, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Christopher J. Penny, Roger A. Quon, Nicole A. Saulnier
  • Patent number: 11894265
    Abstract: A method of forming a top via is provided. The method includes forming a sacrificial trench layer and conductive trench plug in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a conductive line. The method further includes forming a cover layer on the ILD layer, sacrificial trench layer, and conductive trench plug, and forming a sacrificial channel layer and a conductive channel plug on the conductive trench plug. The method further includes removing the cover layer and the ILD layer to expose the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer, and forming a barrier layer on the conductive channel plug and conductive trench plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Brent Anderson, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20240038535
    Abstract: A method of forming a mandrel for use in a pitch doubling process is provided in which a metal hard mask is inserted between a mandrel material layer and a soft mask. The insertion of the metal hard mask allows for easier pattern transfer into the mandrel material layer and avoids many issues encountered during multi-patterning steps. The insertion of the metal hard mask forms a square mandrel that has a flat top due to durability against etch and ability to wet strip the metal hard mask. The metal hard mask can be tuned before pattern transfer into the underlying mandrel material layer to provide a hard mask pattern that is smaller or larger than the pattern without performing such tuning. The method also can be used to protect the downstream non-mandrel processes where selectivity is crucial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Joe Lee, Yann Mignot, Christopher J. Penny, Koichi Motoyama
  • Patent number: 11876023
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method that includes forming an IC layer having an inactive region and an active region. The active region includes a device-under-fabrication (DUF). The inactive region includes a geometric feature having a geometric shape. A film is deposited over the active DUF and the geometric feature such that a first portion of the film will be part of the active DUF, and such that a second portion of the film is over the geometric feature. A geometric shape of the film over the geometric feature matches the geometric shape of the geometric feature. Determining a thickness of the film is based at least in part a difference between a footprint of the geometric shape of the film and a footprint of the geometric shape of the geometric feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Christopher J. Penny, James John Demarest, Jean Wynne, Christopher J. Waskiewicz, Jonathan Fry
  • Publication number: 20240014133
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a plurality of metal lines in a region of a substrate positioned in an array of metal lines all having parallel lengths, and a plurality of air gaps between the metal lines in a same level as the metal lines, wherein an air gap is present between each set of adjacent metal lines. A plurality of interconnects may be present in electrical communication with said plurality of metal lines, wherein an exclusion zone for said plurality of interconnects is not present in said array of metal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo
  • Patent number: 11869808
    Abstract: An approach providing a semiconductor wiring structure with a self-aligned top via on a first metal line and under a second metal line. The semiconductor wiring structure includes a plurality of first metal lines in a bottom portion of a first dielectric material. The semiconductor wiring structure includes a top via in a top portion of the first dielectric material, where the top via is over a first metal line of the plurality of first metal lines. The semiconductor wiring structure includes a second dielectric material above each of the plurality of first metal lines except the first metal line of the plurality of first metal lines. Furthermore, the semiconductor wiring structure includes a second metal line above the top via, wherein the second metal line is in a third dielectric material and a hardmask layer that is under the third dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Brent Anderson, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11854884
    Abstract: A method of forming fully aligned top vias is provided. The method includes forming a fill layer on a conductive line, wherein the fill layer is adjacent to one or more vias. The method further includes forming a spacer layer selectively on the exposed surface of the fill layer, wherein the top surface of the one or more vias is exposed after forming the spacer layer. The method further includes depositing an etch-stop layer on the exposed surfaces of the spacer layer and the one or more vias, and forming a cover layer on the etch-stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Koichi Motoyama, Somnath Ghosh, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison, Lawrence A. Clevenger