Patents by Inventor DEXIN KONG

DEXIN KONG 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).

  • Publication number: 20210265566
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with resistive memory includes a bottom electrode disposed on a base structure, the bottom electrode having a structure that tapers up from the base structure to a tip of the bottom electrode. The semiconductor device also includes sidewall spacers on the sides of the bottom electrode, an interlayer dielectric deposition (ILD) outside the sidewall spacers, and a top dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode, and the sidewall spacers. The semiconductor device further includes a top electrode deposited over the bottom electrode within the sidewall spacers. A filament formation region is formed at the tip of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 11101322
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming vertical crossbar resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells. The method includes forming a substantially U-shaped bottom electrode over a substrate, filling the U-shaped bottom electrode with a first conductive material, capping the U-shaped bottom electrode with a dielectric cap, depositing a high-k material, and forming a top electrode such that active areas of the RRAM cells are vertically aligned and the U-shaped bottom electrode is shared between neighboring RRAM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 11101323
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming vertical crossbar resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells. The method includes forming a substantially U-shaped bottom electrode over a substrate, filling the U-shaped bottom electrode with a first conductive material, capping the U-shaped bottom electrode with a dielectric cap, depositing a high-k material, and forming a top electrode such that active areas of the RRAM cells are vertically aligned and the U-shaped bottom electrode is shared between neighboring RRAM cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Publication number: 20210234095
    Abstract: Embedded BEOL memory devices having a top electrode pillar are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an embedded memory device includes: depositing a first ILD on a substrate; forming first/second interconnect in the first ILD over logic/memory regions of the substrate; depositing a capping layer onto the first ILD; forming a memory film stack on the capping layer; patterning the memory film stack into a memory device(s) including a bottom electrode, a dielectric element, and a top electrode; patterning the top electrode to form a pillar-shaped top electrode; depositing a conformal encapsulation layer over the capping layer and memory device(s); depositing a second ILD over the conformal encapsulation layer; and forming a first metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the first interconnect(s), and a second metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the pillar-shaped top electrode. A device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Soon-Cheon Seo, Shyng-Tsong Chen, Youngseok Kim, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Publication number: 20210234094
    Abstract: The present invention provides RRAM devices with tunable forming voltage. In one aspect, a method of forming an RRAM device includes: depositing a first dielectric layer on a substrate; forming metal pads in the first dielectric layer; depositing a capping layer onto the first dielectric layer; forming heating elements in the capping layer in contact with the metal pads; forming an RRAM stack on the capping layer; patterning the RRAM stack into an RRAM cell(s) including a bottom electrode, a high-? switching layer disposed on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed on the high-? switching layer; depositing a second dielectric layer over the RRAM cell(s); and forming a contact to the top electrode in the second dielectric layer. An RRAM device and a method of operating an RRAM device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li, Zheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11075200
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first vertical transistor, and a second vertical transistor. The substrate has a first substrate region and a second substrate region. The first vertical transistor is disposed on the substrate in the first substrate region. The first vertical transistor is n-type field-effect vertical transistor (n-VFET) with a first channel crystalline orientation. The second vertical transistor is disposed on the substrate in the second substrate region. The second vertical transistor is p-type field-effect vertical transistor (p-VFET) with a second channel crystalline orientation. The first channel crystalline orientation is different from the second channel orientation. A common bottom source and drain region as well as common bottom and top spacers regions are provided for the first vertical transistor and the second vertical transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Kangguo Cheng, Zheng Xu, Dexin Kong
  • Patent number: 11043634
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with resistive memory includes a bottom electrode disposed on a base structure, the bottom electrode having a structure that tapers up from the base structure to a tip of the bottom electrode. The semiconductor device also includes sidewall spacers on the sides of the bottom electrode, an interlayer dielectric deposition (ILD) outside the sidewall spacers, and a top dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode, and the sidewall spacers. The semiconductor device further includes a top electrode deposited over the bottom electrode within the sidewall spacers. A filament formation region is formed at the tip of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 11011704
    Abstract: A memory device with crossbar array structure includes two sets of parallel bottom electrodes positioned on a substrate. The lower bottom electrodes are located at a lower position relative to higher bottom electrodes. The device includes a first set of corner tips of the lower bottom electrodes, and a second set of corner tips at a top of the higher bottom electrodes. The device also includes a set of parallel top electrodes intersecting the two sets of parallel bottom electrodes. A dielectric is formed as a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell under each intersection of each top electrode and each of bottom electrode. The device further includes one set of contacts at one end of an array that contacts the lower bottom electrodes and another set of contacts at the other end of the array that contacts the higher bottom electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Juntao Li, Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng, Takashi Ando
  • Patent number: 11004751
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate with a first semiconductor fin and a second semiconductor fin formed thereon. A pair of opposing dielectric trench spacers are between the first and second semiconductor fins. The opposing dielectric trench spacers define an isolation region therebetween. The semiconductor device further includes a shallow trench isolation (STI) element formed in the isolation region. The STI element includes a lower portion on the substrate and an upper portion located opposite the lower portion. The upper portion extends above an upper end of the dielectric trench spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li, Dexin Kong, Zhenxing Bi
  • Patent number: 10998229
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices facilitating a transistor with an improved self-aligned contact are provided. In one example, a method comprises depositing a dielectric layer onto a first gate region and a second gate region of a semiconductor device, wherein the first gate region and the second gate region are separated by a substrate contact region, and wherein the dielectric layer has a first etch sensitivity to an inter-layer dielectric; and depositing a sacrificial layer onto the dielectric layer, wherein the sacrificial layer has a second etch sensitivity to the inter-layer dielectric that is greater than the first etch sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Zhenxing Bi, Juntao Li, Dexin Kong
  • Patent number: 10971549
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a semiconductor memory device. In some embodiments, the device includes a bottom electrode extending in a y-direction relative to top surface of a substrate and a top electrode extending in an x-direction relative to the top surface of the substrate. An active area is located at the cross-section between the bottom electrode and the top electrode and is located on vertical side walls extending in a z-direction of the semiconductor memory device with respect to the top surface of the substrate. An insulating layer is located in the active area in between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juntao Li, Kangguo Cheng, Takashi Ando, Dexin Kong
  • Publication number: 20210028175
    Abstract: A method of performing co-integrated fabrication of a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheet field effect transistor (FET) includes recessing fins in a channel region of the NVM and the FET to form source and drain regions adjacent to recessed fins, and removing alternating portions of the recessed fins of the NVM and the FET to form gaps in the recessed fins. A stack of layers that make up an NVM structure are conformally deposited within the gaps of the recessed fins leaving second gaps, smaller than the gaps, and above the recessed fins of the NVM while protecting the FET with the organic planarization layer (OPL) and a block mask. The OPL and block mask are removed from the FET, and another OPL and another block mask protect the NVM while a gate of the FET is formed above the recessed fins and within the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Zheng Xu, Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 10903421
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes forming a bottom electrode on a bottom contact layer, and forming a dielectric layer covering sides of the bottom electrode. In the method, a switching element layer is deposited on the dielectric layer and the bottom electrode, a top electrode layer is deposited on the switching element layer, and a hardmask layer is deposited on the top electrode layer. The switching element, top electrode and hardmask layers are patterned into a pillar on the bottom electrode. The method further includes forming a spacer layer on the dielectric layer on sides of the pillar, and forming a metal layer on the dielectric layer adjacent the spacer layer and around the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Juntao Li, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 10886367
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided that includes active semiconductor fins that have a uniform fin channel height. The uniform fin channel height is achieved by forming semiconductor fins (active and sacrificial) on an entirety of semiconductor substrate thus there is no loading effect during a subsequently performed dielectric etch step which can lead to fin channel height variation and ultimately variation in device characteristics. A trench isolation structure is located adjacent to the active semiconductor fins. The trench isolation structure includes at least one dielectric plug having a second width and a dielectric pillar having a first width located on each side of the at least one dielectric plug. The second width of the at least one dielectric plug is less than the first width of each dielectric pillar, yet equal to a width of each semiconductor fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li, Zhenxing Bi, Dexin Kong
  • Publication number: 20200381621
    Abstract: A memory device with crossbar array structure includes two sets of parallel bottom electrodes positioned on a substrate. The lower bottom electrodes are located at a lower position relative to higher bottom electrodes. The device includes a first set of corner tips of the lower bottom electrodes, and a second set of corner tips at a top of the higher bottom electrodes. The device also includes a set of parallel top electrodes intersecting the two sets of parallel bottom electrodes. A dielectric is formed as a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell under each intersection of each top electrode and each of bottom electrode. The device further includes one set of contacts at one end of an array that contacts the lower bottom electrodes and another set of contacts at the other end of the array that contacts the higher bottom electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Juntao Li, Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng, Takashi Ando
  • Publication number: 20200357852
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming a Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device with a spacer for electrode isolation. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a memory stack including a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a dielectric layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode is formed. A portion of the memory stack is removed to expose a sidewall of the top electrode and a spacer is formed on the sidewall of the top electrode. The spacer is positioned to encapsulate the top electrode, physically preventing a short between the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: HIROYUKI MIYAZOE, Iqbal Rashid Saraf, DEXIN KONG, TAKASHI ANDO
  • Publication number: 20200328346
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with resistive memory includes a bottom electrode disposed on a base structure, the bottom electrode having a structure that tapers up from the base structure to a tip of the bottom electrode. The semiconductor device also includes sidewall spacers on the sides of the bottom electrode, an interlayer dielectric deposition (ILD) outside the sidewall spacers, and a top dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode, and the sidewall spacers. The semiconductor device further includes a top electrode deposited over the bottom electrode within the sidewall spacers. A filament formation region is formed at the tip of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Takashi Ando, Kangguo Cheng, Juntao Li
  • Patent number: 10804274
    Abstract: A method of performing co-integrated fabrication of a non-volatile memory (NVM) and a gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheet field effect transistor (FET) includes recessing fins in a channel region of the NVM and the FET to form source and drain regions adjacent to recessed fins, and removing alternating portions of the recessed fins of the NVM and the FET to form gaps in the recessed fins. A stack of layers that make up an NVM structure are conformally deposited within the gaps of the recessed fins leaving second gaps, smaller than the gaps, and above the recessed fins of the NVM while protecting the FET with the organic planarization layer (OPL) and a block mask. The OPL and block mask are removed from the FET, and another OPL and another block mask protect the NVM while a gate of the FET is formed above the recessed fins and within the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Zheng Xu, Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng
  • Patent number: 10784380
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a gate-all-around based non-volatile memory device includes isolated channels including tunnel dielectric material disposed around gate-all-around field effect transistor (GAA FET) channels, at least one floating gate including a first gate material encapsulating the isolated channels, and at least one control gate including a second gate material encapsulating the isolated channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zheng Xu, Zhenxing Bi, Dexin Kong, Qianwen Chen
  • Publication number: 20200292611
    Abstract: Techniques regarding determining device operability via a metal-induced layer exchange are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise an apparatus, which can comprise a dielectric membrane positioned between an amorphous semiconductor resistor layer and an electrically conductive metal layer. The dielectric membrane can facilitate a metal induced layer exchange that can experiences catalyzation by heat generated from operation of a semiconductor device positioned adjacent to the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Kangguo Cheng