Patents by Inventor Craig R. Gruszecki

Craig R. Gruszecki 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: 11705396
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method to form an air gap structure. An opening is formed in a first dielectric layer between adjacent conductors. A first dielectric layer is formed over the opening to fill a first portion of the opening. A remainder of the opening is free of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, with a remainder of the opening unfilled. The second dielectric layer is devoid of wiring. The remainder of the opening below the second dielectric layer defines an air gap structure. A wiring layer is formed above the air gap structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. McGahay, Craig R. Gruszecki, Ju Jin An, Tim H. Lee, Todd J. Van Kleeck
  • Publication number: 20210358840
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method to form an air gap structure. An opening is formed in a first dielectric layer between adjacent conductors. A first dielectric layer is formed over the opening to fill a first portion of the opening. A remainder of the opening is free of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, with a remainder of the opening unfilled. The second dielectric layer is devoid of wiring. The remainder of the opening below the second dielectric layer defines an air gap structure. A wiring layer is formed above the air gap structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Vincent J. McGahay, Craig R. Gruszecki, Ju Jin An, Tim H. Lee, Todd J. Van Kleeck
  • Patent number: 11127678
    Abstract: A structure includes an air gap structure including: an opening in a first dielectric layer between adjacent conductors, and a non-conformal dielectric layer over the opening. In some cases, the non-conformal dielectric layer narrows an end portion of the opening of the air gap but may not seal the opening. In other cases, the non-conformal layer may seal the end portion of the opening and include a seam therein. The air gap structure may also include a conformal dielectric layer on the non-conformal dielectric layer. The conformal layer either seals the end portion of the opening or, if present, seals the seam. The structure may also include a wiring layer over the air gap structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. McGahay, Craig R. Gruszecki, Ju Jin An, Tim H. Lee, Todd J. Van Kleeck
  • Publication number: 20210175166
    Abstract: A structure includes an air gap structure including: an opening in a first dielectric layer between adjacent conductors, and a non-conformal dielectric layer over the opening. In some cases, the non-conformal dielectric layer narrows an end portion of the opening of the air gap but may not seal the opening. In other cases, the non-conformal layer may seal the end portion of the opening and include a seam therein. The air gap structure may also include a conformal dielectric layer on the non-conformal dielectric layer. The conformal layer either seals the end portion of the opening or, if present, seals the seam. The structure may also include a wiring layer over the air gap structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Vincent J. McGahay, Craig R. Gruszecki, Ju Jin An, Tim H. Lee, Todd J. Van Kleeck
  • Patent number: 6150707
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a capacitor within a semiconductor device comprising the steps of forming openings in an oxide dielectric to reach a lower conductor layer which will serve as a lower conductor plate of the capacitor; depositing capacitor electrode material, such as tungsten to fill the openings to form a capacitor electrode and planarizing the filled openings using chemical/mechanical polish; depositing a selected oxide capacitor dielectric over the capacitor electrodes and patterning the capacitor dielectric with photoresist to leave dielectric covering the area of the capacitor electrodes; stripping away the photoresist; adding an upper conductor layer on top of the capacitor dielectric to serve as the top plate of the capacitor. The above steps may be repeated to form multiple layers of capacitors within the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Cook, Craig R. Gruszecki, Mark A. Passaro, Frederick A. Scholl
  • Patent number: 6069051
    Abstract: A method of fabricating on chip metal-to-metal capacitors (MMCAP) uses planar processing with a flexible choice of dielectric, thickness and capacitor shape. The method provides a simpler process which has a better yield and more reliable structure by creating a metal-to-metal capacitor on a planar surface, not in deep trenches. In addition to the process simplicity, the method also allows the use of any dielectric materials which are needed by the product designer; e.g., higher or lower dielectric constant and also not limited by high etch rate difference. Because the inventive process is a planar process, there are no corners in the bottom of deep trenches to cause yield and reliability problems. The capacitor area can be adjusted to any shape because there are no edge effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Du B. Nguyen, Hazara S. Rathore, George S. Prokop, Richard A. Wachnik, Craig R. Gruszecki
  • Patent number: 6001702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a capacitor within a semiconductor device comprising the steps of forming openings in an oxide dielectric to reach a lower conductor layer which will serve as a lower conductor plate of the capacitor; depositing capacitor electrode material, such as tungsten to fill the openings to form a capacitor electrode and planarizing the filled openings using chemical/mechanical polish; depositing a selected oxide capacitor dielectric over the capacitor electrodes and patterning the capacitor dielectric with photoresist to leave dielectric covering the area of the capacitor electrodes; stripping away the photoresist; adding an upper conductor layer on top of the capacitor dielectric to serve as the top plate of the capacitor. The above steps may be repeated to form multiple layers of capacitors within the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Cook, Craig R. Gruszecki, Mark A. Passaro, Frederick A. Scholl