Patents by Inventor Daniel B. Aubertine

Daniel B. Aubertine 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: 9653584
    Abstract: Transistor fin elements (e.g., fin or tri gate) may be modified by radio frequency (RF) plasma and/or thermal processing for purpose of dimensional sculpting. The etched, thinned fins may be formed by first forming wider single crystal fins, and after depositing trench oxide material between the wider fins, etching the wider fins using a second etch to form narrower single crystal fins having undamaged top and sidewalls for epitaxially growing active channel material. The second etch may remove a thickness of between a 1 nm and 15 nm of the top surfaces and the sidewalls of the wider fins. It may remove the thickness using (1) chlorine or fluorine based chemistry using low ion energy plasma processing, or (2) low temperature thermal processing that does not damage fins via energetic ion bombardment, oxidation or by leaving behind etch residue that could disrupt the epitaxial growth quality of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Anand S. Murthy, Daniel B. Aubertine, Subhash M. Joshi
  • Publication number: 20170133376
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for sculpting and cladding the channel region of fins on a semiconductor substrate during a replacement gate process (e.g., for transistor channel applications). The sculpting and cladding can be performed when the channel region of the fins are re-exposed after the dummy gate used in the replacement gate process is removed. The sculpting includes performing a trim etch on the re-exposed channel region of the fins to narrow a width of the fins (e.g., by 2-6 nm). A cladding layer, which may include germanium (Ge) or silicon germanium (SiGe), can then be deposited on the trimmed fins, leaving the source/drain regions of the fins unaffected. The sculpting and cladding may be performed in-situ or without air break to increase the quality of the trimmed fins (e.g., as compared to an ex-situ process).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GLENN A. GLASS, ANAND S. MURTHY, DANIEL B. AUBERTINE, SUBHASH M. JOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160308032
    Abstract: Transistor fin elements (e.g., fin or tri gate) may be modified by radio frequency (RF) plasma and/or thermal processing for purpose of dimensional sculpting. The etched, thinned fins may be formed by first forming wider single crystal fins, and after depositing trench oxide material between the wider fins, etching the wider fins using a second etch to form narrower single crystal fins having undamaged top and sidewalls for epitaxially growing active channel material. The second etch may remove a thickness of between a 1 nm and 15 nm of the top surfaces and the sidewalls of the wider fins. It may remove the thickness using (1) chlorine or fluorine based chemistry using low ion energy plasma processing, or (2) low temperature thermal processing that does not damage fins via energetic ion bombardment, oxidation or by leaving behind etch residue that could disrupt the epitaxial growth quality of the second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn A. GLASS, Anand s. MURTHY, Daniel B. AUBERTINE, Subhash M. JOSHI
  • Publication number: 20160260802
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GLENN A. GLASS, KELIN J. KUHN, SEIYON KIM, ANAND S. MURTHY, DANIEL B. AUBERTINE
  • Patent number: 9343559
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Kelin J. Kuhn, Seiyon Kim, Anand S. Murthy, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Publication number: 20160079423
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cory E. Weber, Mark Y. Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Publication number: 20160071934
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for incorporating high mobility strained channels into fin-based transistors (e.g., FinFETs such as double-gate, trigate, etc), wherein a stress material is cladded onto the channel area of the fin. In one example embodiment, silicon germanium (SiGe) is cladded onto silicon fins to provide a desired stress, although other fin and cladding materials can be used. The techniques are compatible with typical process flows, and the cladding deposition can occur at a plurality of locations within the process flow. In some cases, the built-in stress from the cladding layer may be enhanced with a source/drain stressor that compresses both the fin and cladding layers in the channel. In some cases, an optional capping layer can be provided to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface. In one such embodiment, silicon is provided over a SiGe cladding layer to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Tahir Ghani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Roza Kotlyar
  • Patent number: 9231076
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cory E. Weber, Mark Y. Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Patent number: 9184294
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for incorporating high mobility strained channels into fin-based transistors (e.g., FinFETs such as double-gate, trigate, etc), wherein a stress material is cladded onto the channel area of the fin. In one example embodiment, silicon germanium (SiGe) is cladded onto silicon fins to provide a desired stress, although other fin and cladding materials can be used. The techniques are compatible with typical process flows, and the cladding deposition can occur at a plurality of locations within the process flow. In some cases, the built-in stress from the cladding layer may be enhanced with a source/drain stressor that compresses both the fin and cladding layers in the channel. In some cases, an optional capping layer can be provided to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface. In one such embodiment, silicon is provided over a SiGe cladding layer to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Tahir Ghani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Roza Kotlyar
  • Publication number: 20150228772
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GLENN A. GLASS, KELIN J. KUHN, SEIYON KIM, ANAND S. MURTHY, DANIEL B. AUBERTINE
  • Patent number: 9076814
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cory Weber, Mark Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Publication number: 20150155384
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cory E. Weber, Mark Y. Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Publication number: 20150115216
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations associated with conversion of thin transistor elements from silicon (Si) to silicon germanium (SiGe). In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a channel body of a transistor device disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the channel body comprising silicon, forming a cladding layer comprising germanium on the channel body, and annealing the channel body to cause the germanium to diffuse into the channel body. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Anand S. Murthy, Gaurav Thareja, Stephen M. Cea
  • Patent number: 9012284
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for customization of nanowire transistor devices to provide a diverse range of channel configurations and/or material systems within the same integrated circuit die. In accordance with one example embodiment, sacrificial fins are removed and replaced with custom material stacks of arbitrary composition and strain suitable for a given application. In one such case, each of a first set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with a p-type layer stack, and each of a second set of the sacrificial fins is recessed or otherwise removed and replaced with an n-type layer stack. The p-type layer stack can be completely independent of the process for the n-type layer stack, and vice-versa. Numerous other circuit configurations and device variations are enabled using the techniques provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Kelin J. Kuhn, Seiyon Kim, Anand S. Murthy, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Patent number: 8957476
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations associated with conversion of thin transistor elements from silicon (Si) to silicon germanium (SiGe). In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a channel body of a transistor device disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the channel body comprising silicon, forming a cladding layer comprising germanium on the channel body, and annealing the channel body to cause the germanium to diffuse into the channel body. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Anand S. Murthy, Gaurav Thareja, Stephen M. Cea
  • Publication number: 20150008484
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for incorporating high mobility strained channels into fin-based transistors (e.g., FinFETs such as double-gate, trigate, etc), wherein a stress material is cladded onto the channel area of the fin. In one example embodiment, silicon germanium (SiGe) is cladded onto silicon fins to provide a desired stress, although other fin and cladding materials can be used. The techniques are compatible with typical process flows, and the cladding deposition can occur at a plurality of locations within the process flow. In some cases, the built-in stress from the cladding layer may be enhanced with a source/drain stressor that compresses both the fin and cladding layers in the channel. In some cases, an optional capping layer can be provided to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface. In one such embodiment, silicon is provided over a SiGe cladding layer to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Tahir Ghani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Roza Kotlyar
  • Patent number: 8847281
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for incorporating high mobility strained channels into fin-based transistors (e.g., FinFETs such as double-gate, trigate, etc), wherein a stress material is cladded onto the channel area of the fin. In one example embodiment, silicon germanium (SiGe) is cladded onto silicon fins to provide a desired stress, although other fin and cladding materials can be used. The techniques are compatible with typical process flows, and the cladding deposition can occur at a plurality of locations within the process flow. In some cases, the built-in stress from the cladding layer may be enhanced with a source/drain stressor that compresses both the fin and cladding layers in the channel. In some cases, an optional capping layer can be provided to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface. In one such embodiment, silicon is provided over a SiGe cladding layer to improve the gate dielectric/semiconductor interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Cea, Anand S. Murthy, Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Tahir Ghani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Roza Kotlyar
  • Publication number: 20140284626
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Cory Weber, Mark Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Patent number: 8779477
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, the transistor having a conduction channel. The device includes at least one edge dislocation formed adjacent to the conduction channel on the semiconductor substrate. The device also includes at least one free surface introduced above the conduction channel and the at least one edge dislocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Cory Weber, Mark Liu, Anand Murthy, Hemant Deshpande, Daniel B. Aubertine
  • Publication number: 20140175543
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations associated with conversion of thin transistor elements from silicon (Si) to silicon germanium (SiGe). In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a channel body of a transistor device disposed on the semiconductor substrate, the channel body comprising silicon, forming a cladding layer comprising germanium on the channel body, and annealing the channel body to cause the germanium to diffuse into the channel body. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Glenn A. Glass, Daniel B. Aubertine, Anand S. Murthy, Gaurav Thareja, Stephen M. Cea