Patents by Inventor Eric C. Harley

Eric C. Harley 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: 11081583
    Abstract: A device and method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Keith H. Tabakman, Henry K. Utomo
  • Patent number: 10615279
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Keith H. Tabakman, Henry K. Utomo
  • Publication number: 20200066908
    Abstract: A device and method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: ERIC C. HARLEY, JUDSON R. HOLT, YUE KE, RISHIKESH KRISHNAN, KEITH H. TABAKMAN, HENRY K. UTOMO
  • Patent number: 10243077
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Keith H. Tabakman, Henry K. Utomo
  • Publication number: 20180097113
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: ERIC C. HARLEY, JUDSON R. HOLT, YUE KE, RISHIKESH KRISHNAN, KEITH H. TABAKMAN, HENRY K. UTOMO
  • Patent number: 9917190
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Keith H. Tabakman, Henry K. Utomo
  • Patent number: 9752251
    Abstract: A self-limiting selective epitaxy process can be employed on a plurality of semiconductor fins such that the sizes of raised active semiconductor regions formed by the selective epitaxy process are limited to dimensions determined by the sizes of the semiconductor fins. Specifically, the self-limiting selective epitaxy process limits growth of the semiconductor material along directions that are perpendicular to crystallographic facets formed during the selective epitaxy process. Once the crystallographic facets become adjoined to one another or to a dielectric surface, growth of the semiconductor material terminates, thereby preventing merger among epitaxially deposited semiconductor materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Eric C. Harley, Yue Ke, Annie Levesque
  • Patent number: 9577100
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least one suspended channel structure of a silicon including material, and a gate structure present on the suspended channel structure. At least one gate dielectric layer is present surrounding the suspended channel structure, and at least one gate conductor is present on the at least one gate dielectric layer. Source and drain structures may be composed of a silicon and germanium including material. The source and drain structures are in contact with the source and drain region ends of the suspended channel structure through a silicon cladding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Michael P. Chudzik, Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Kern Rim, Henry K. Utomo
  • Patent number: 9412843
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with an embedded layer, by anisotropically etching a substrate adjacent to an already formed gate structure. A dummy layer is deposited in the previously etched region, and a second spacer is formed next to the first spacer. The dummy layer is removed, and a second anisotropic etch is performed. A semiconductor substrate is then epitaxially grown in the etched out region to form the embedded layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Jin Z. Wallner, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Patent number: 9390884
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate inspection system includes an e-beam inspection system configured to deliver electrons to a specimen semiconductor substrate. A sensor is configured to detect reflected electrons that reflect off the surface of the specimen semiconductor substrate. An analysis unit is configured to determine a number of electrons received by the semiconductor substrate, and to determine at least one target region including at least one defect of the semiconductor substrate. A reference image module is in electrical communication with the analysis unit. The reference image module is configured to generate a first digital image having a plurality of pixels, and to adjust a gray-scale level of the pixels included in the target region based on the number electrons included in each pixel to generate a second digital image that excludes the at least one defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Oliver D. Patterson, Kevin T. Wu
  • Publication number: 20160197186
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: ERIC C. HARLEY, JUDSON R. HOLT, YUE KE, RISHIKESH KRISHNAN, KEITH H. TABAKMAN, HENRY K. UTOMO
  • Patent number: 9312364
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Keith H. Tabakman, Henry K. Utomo
  • Publication number: 20160079397
    Abstract: A semiconductor fin suspended above a top surface of a semiconductor layer and supported by a gate structure is formed. An insulator layer is formed between the top surface of the semiconductor layer and the gate structure. A gate spacer is formed, and physically exposed portions of the semiconductor fin are removed by an anisotropic etch. Subsequently, physically exposed portions of the insulator layer can be etched with a taper. Alternately, a disposable spacer can be formed prior to an anisotropic etch of the insulator layer. The lateral distance between two openings in the dielectric layer across the gate structure is greater than the lateral distance between outer sidewalls of the gate spacers. Selective deposition of a semiconductor material can be performed to form raised active regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Eric C. Harley, Terence B. Hook, Ali Khakifirooz, Henry K. Utomo, Reinaldo A. Vega
  • Publication number: 20160035878
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: ERIC C. HARLEY, JUDSON R. HOLT, YUE KE, RISHIKESH KRISHNAN, KEITH H. TABAKMAN, HENRY K. UTOMO
  • Patent number: 9246003
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include a semiconductor fin, a gate over the semiconductor fin, a spacer on a sidewall of the gate, an angled recess region in an end of the semiconductor fin beneath the spacer, and a first semiconductor region filling the angled recess. The angled recess may be v-shaped or sigma shaped. The structure may further include a second semiconductor region in contact with the first semiconductor region and the substrate. The structure may be formed by forming a gate above a portion of the semiconductor fin on a substrate, forming a spacer on a sidewall of the gate; removing a portion of the semiconductor fin not covered by the spacer or the gate to expose a sidewall of the fin, etching the sidewall of the fin to form an angled recess region beneath the spacer, and filling the angled recess region with a first epitaxial semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Eric C. Harley, Yue Ke, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9236477
    Abstract: Silicon-carbon alloy structures can be formed as inverted U-shaped structures around semiconductor fins by a selective epitaxy process. A planarization dielectric layer is formed to fill gaps among the silicon-carbon alloy structures. After planarization, remaining vertical portions of the silicon-carbon alloy structures constitute silicon-carbon alloy fins, which can have sublithographic widths. The semiconductor fins may be replaced with replacement dielectric material fins. In one embodiment, employing a patterned mask layer, sidewalls of the silicon-carbon alloy fins can be removed around end portions of each silicon-carbon alloy fin. An anneal is performed to covert surface portions of the silicon-carbon alloy fins into graphene layers. In one embodiment, each graphene layer can include only a horizontal portion in a channel region, and include a horizontal portion and sidewall portions in source and drain regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Christos Dimitrakopoulos, Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Timothy J. McArdle, Matthew W. Stoker
  • Patent number: 9219114
    Abstract: A semiconductor fin suspended above a top surface of a semiconductor layer and supported by a gate structure is formed. An insulator layer is formed between the top surface of the semiconductor layer and the gate structure. A gate spacer is formed, and physically exposed portions of the semiconductor fin are removed by an anisotropic etch. Subsequently, physically exposed portions of the insulator layer can be etched with a taper. Alternately, a disposable spacer can be formed prior to an anisotropic etch of the insulator layer. The lateral distance between two openings in the dielectric layer across the gate structure is greater than the lateral distance between outer sidewalls of the gate spacers. Selective deposition of a semiconductor material can be performed to form raised active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Eric C. Harley, Terence B. Hook, Ali Khakifirooz, Henry K. Utomo, Reinaldo A. Vega
  • Publication number: 20150364603
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including at least one suspended channel structure of a silicon including material, and a gate structure present on the suspended channel structure. At least one gate dielectric layer is present surrounding the suspended channel structure, and at least one gate conductor is present on the at least one gate dielectric layer. Source and drain structures may be composed of a silicon and germanium including material. The source and drain structures are in contact with the source and drain region ends of the suspended channel structure through a silicon cladding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Michael P. Chudzik, Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Yue Ke, Rishikesh Krishnan, Kern Rim, Henry K. Utomo
  • Publication number: 20150349093
    Abstract: A method forming a semiconductor device that in one embodiment includes forming a gate structure on a channel region of fin structures, and forming a flowable dielectric material on a source region portion and a drain region portion of the fin structures. The flowable dielectric material is present at least between adjacent fin structures of the plurality of fin structures filling a space between the adjacent fin structures. An upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of fin structures is exposed. An epitaxial semiconductor material is formed on the upper surface of the source region portion and the drain region portion of the fin structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: ERIC C. Harley, JUDSON R. HOLT, YUE KE, RISHIKESH KRISHNAN, KEITH H. TABAKMAN, HENRY K. UTOMO
  • Publication number: 20150340465
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with an embedded layer, by anisotropically etching a substrate adjacent to an already formed gate structure. A dummy layer is deposited in the previously etched region, and a second spacer is formed next to the first spacer. The dummy layer is removed, and a second anisotropic etch is performed. A semiconductor substrate is then epitaxially grown in the etched out region to form the embedded layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson R. Holt, Jin Z. Wallner, Thomas A. Wallner