Patents by Inventor Ernest Y. Wu
Ernest Y. Wu 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).
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Patent number: 11901002Abstract: System and method to localize a position of an RRAM filament of resistive memory device at very low bias voltages using a scanning laser beam. The approach is non-invasive and allows measurement of a large number of devices for creating statistics relating to the filament formation. A laser microscope system is configured to perform a biasing the RRAM cell with voltage (or current). Concurrent to the applied bias, a laser beam is generated and aimed at different positions of the RRAM cell (e.g., by a raster scanning). Changes in the current (or voltage) flowing through the cell are measured. The method creates a map of the current (or voltage) changes at the different laser positions and detects a spot in the map corresponding to higher (or lower) current (or voltage). The method determines the (x,y) position of the spot compared to the edge/center of the RRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Franco Stellari, Ernest Y. Wu, Takashi Ando, Peilin Song
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Publication number: 20230420491Abstract: Metal-insulator-metal capacitor designs with increased reliability are provided. In one aspect, a capacitor includes: first and second electrodes; and multiple dielectric layers present in between the first and second electrodes, including a first buffer layer disposed on the first electrode, a ferroelectric film disposed on the first buffer layer, and a second buffer layer disposed on the ferroelectric film, where the ferroelectric film includes a combination of at least a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material having a higher ? value than either the first or second buffer layers. The first and second dielectric materials can each include HfO2 and/or ZrO2, in a crystalline phase, which can be combined in a common layer, or present in different layers. A capacitor device having the present capacitors stacked one on top of another is also provided, as is a method of forming the present capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Kisik Choi, Paul Charles Jamison, Takashi Ando, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Huimei Zhou, Miaomiao Wang, Ernest Y. Wu
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Publication number: 20230170019Abstract: System and method to localize a position of an RRAM filament of resistive memory device at very low bias voltages using a scanning laser beam. The approach is non-invasive and allows measurement of a large number of devices for creating statistics relating to the filament formation. A laser microscope system is configured to perform a biasing the RRAM cell with voltage (or current). Concurrent to the applied bias, a laser beam is generated and aimed at different positions of the RRAM cell (e.g., by a raster scanning). Changes in the current (or voltage) flowing through the cell are measured. The method creates a map of the current (or voltage) changes at the different laser positions and detects a spot in the map corresponding to higher (or lower) current (or voltage). The method determines the (x,y) position of the spot compared to the edge/center of the RRAM cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Franco Stellari, Ernest Y. Wu, Takashi Ando, Peilin Song
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Patent number: 11489118Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) device and a method for constructing the device is described. A capping layer structure is provided over a bottom contact where the capping layer includes a recess situated over the bottom contact. A first portion of the recess is filled with a lower electrode such that the width of the recess defines the width of the lower electrode. A second portion of the recess is filled with a high-K layer so that a bottom surface of the high-K layer has a stepped profile. A top electrode is formed on the high-K layer and a top contact is formed on the top electrode. The width of the high-K layer is greater than the width of the lower electrode to prevent shorting between the top contact and the lower electrode of the RRAM device.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Ernest Y Wu, Andrew Tae Kim
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Patent number: 11257750Abstract: Metal e-fuse structure formed during back-end-of-line during processing and integral with on-chip metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor (MIMcap). The metal e-fuse structures are extensions of MIMcap electrodes and are structured to isolate BEOL MIM capacitors for trimming and/or to isolate shorted or rendered highly leaky due to in process, or service induced defects. In one embodiment, the method incorporates the integral, co-processed metal e-fuse in series between the MIM capacitor and an active circuit. When a high current passes through the e-fuse element, the e-fuse element is rendered highly resistive or electrically open thereby disconnecting the MIM capacitor or electrode plate from the active circuitry. The e-fuse structure may comprise a thin neck portion(s) or zig-zag neck portion that extend from an MIMcap electrode away from the MIMcap between two inter-level interconnect via structures.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Jim Shih-Chun Liang, Ernest Y. Wu
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Patent number: 11121082Abstract: An e-Fuse device including a first electronic feature and a second electronic feature comprised of a conductive material, each of the first electronic feature and the second electronic feature having a width at least as great as a ground rule of a patterning process; and a fuse element comprised of the conductive material having a width less than the ground rule of the patterning process, the fuse element connecting a bottom portion of the first electronic feature and a bottom portion of the second electronic feature. Also disclosed is a method of making the e-Fuse device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew T. Kim, Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Ernest Y. Wu
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Publication number: 20210249348Abstract: Metal e-fuse structure formed during back-end-of-line during processing and integral with on-chip metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor (MIMcap). The metal e-fuse structures are extensions of MIMcap electrodes and are structured to isolate BEOL MIM capacitors for trimming and/or to isolate shorted or rendered highly leaky due to in process, or service induced defects. In one embodiment, the method incorporates the integral, co-processed metal e-fuse in series between the MIM capacitor and an active circuit. When a high current passes through the e-fuse element, the e-fuse element is rendered highly resistive or electrically open thereby disconnecting the MIM capacitor or electrode plate from the active circuitry. The e-fuse structure may comprise a thin neck portion(s) or zig-zag neck portion that extend from an MIMcap electrode away from the MIMcap between two inter-level interconnect via structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, JIM SHIH-CHUN LIANG, Ernest Y. Wu
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Patent number: 11054459Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Patent number: 10996259Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Patent number: 10989754Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Publication number: 20200335440Abstract: An e-Fuse device including a first electronic feature and a second electronic feature comprised of a conductive material, each of the first electronic feature and the second electronic feature having a width at least as great as a ground rule of a patterning process; and a fuse element comprised of the conductive material having a width less than the ground rule of the patterning process, the fuse element connecting a bottom portion of the first electronic feature and a bottom portion of the second electronic feature. Also disclosed is a method of making the e-Fuse device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Andrew T. Kim, Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Ernest Y. Wu
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Patent number: 10811353Abstract: A mandrel structure includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel and a third mandrel in a parallel arrangement. The second mandrel is located between the first and third mandrels and has a cut larger than a minimum ground rule feature. A sidewall layer is formed over the mandrel structure. The sidewall layer has two long parallel gaps for two contact lines and a third gap for a fuse element. The third gap is orthogonal to and connects the two long parallel gaps. The sidewall pattern is used to form a trench structure comprising two parallel contact line trenches having a width at least as great as a ground rule of the patterning process for the contact lines and an orthogonal fuse element trench having a width less than the ground rule for the fuse element. A conductive material forms the contact lines and a fuse element.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Andrew Tae Kim, Ernest Y Wu
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Patent number: 10804368Abstract: Techniques for fabricating a semiconductor device having a two-part spacer. In one embodiment, a device is provided that comprises a spacer having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion comprises one or more layers and the second portion comprises a dielectric material. In one or more implementations, the device further comprises an isolation layer coupled to the spacer, where the isolation layer comprises a silicon oxide material. In one or implementation, the device can further comprise a gate structure formed on a substrate, where the gate structure comprises a polysilicon contact portion, a first silicon dioxide portion, a silicon nitride portion and a second silicon dioxide portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ruqiang Bao, Junli Wang, Dechao Guo, Heng Wu, Ernest Y. Wu
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Publication number: 20200287136Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) device and a method for constructing the device is described. A capping layer structure is provided over a bottom contact where the capping layer includes a recess situated over the bottom contact. A first portion of the recess is filled with a lower electrode such that the width of the recess defines the width of the lower electrode. A second portion of the recess is filled with a high-K layer so that a bottom surface of the high-K layer has a stepped profile. A top electrode is formed on the high-K layer and a top contact is formed on the top electrode. The width of the high-K layer is greater than the width of the lower electrode to prevent shorting between the top contact and the lower electrode of the RRAM device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Ernest Y Wu, Andrew Tae Kim
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Patent number: 10770393Abstract: Back end of the line precision resistors that allow for high currents and for configuration as an eFuse by embedding a single thin film high resistive metal material within a dielectric layer, wherein the resisters are coupled to sidewalls of adjacent metal interconnects are described. The resistors can be formed in the metal one (M1) dielectric layer and can be coupled to sidewalls of the M1 interconnects. Also described are processes for fabricating integrated circuits including the resistors and/or e-Fuses.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew Tae Kim, Baozhen Li, Ernest Y. Wu, Chih-Chao Yang
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Patent number: 10651083Abstract: A graded cap is formed upon an interconnect, such as a back end of line wire. The graded cap includes a microstructure that uniformly changes from a metal nearest the interconnect to a metal nitride most distal from the interconnect. The graded cap is formed by nitriding a metal cap that is formed upon the interconnect. During nitriding an exposed one or more perimeter portions of the metal cap become a metal nitride with a larger amount or concentration of Nitrogen while one or more inner portions of the metal cap nearest the interconnect may be maintained as the metal or become the metal nitride with a fewer amount or concentration of Nitrogen. The resulting graded cap includes a gradually or uniformly changing microstructure between the one or more inner portions and the one or more perimeter portions.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew Tae Kim, Baozhen Li, Ernest Y. Wu, Chih-Chao Yang
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Publication number: 20200141996Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Publication number: 20200126911Abstract: A mandrel structure is provided over a dielectric using a patterning process. The mandrel structure includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel and a third mandrel in a parallel arrangement. The second mandrel is located between the first and third mandrels and has a cut larger than a minimum ground rule feature. A sidewall layer is formed over the mandrel structure. The sidewall layer has two long parallel gaps for two contact lines and a third gap for a fuse element. The third gap is orthogonal to and connects the two long parallel gaps. The mandrel structure is removed. The sidewall pattern is used to etch the dielectric to form a trench structure comprising two parallel contact line trenches having a width at least as great as a ground rule of the patterning process for the contact lines and a connecting, orthogonal fuse element trench having a width less than the ground rule for the fuse element. The trenches are filled with conductive material to form the contact lines and a fuse element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Baozhen Li, Chih-Chao Yang, Andrew Tae Kim, Ernest Y Wu
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Publication number: 20200072897Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin
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Patent number: 10564214Abstract: A per-chip equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) circuit sensor resides in an integrated circuit. The per-chip EOT circuit sensor determines electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. The measured electrical characteristics include leakage current. The determined electrical characteristics are used to determine physical attributes of the integrated circuit. The physical attributes, including EOT, are used in a reliability model to predict per-chip failure rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Carole D. Graas, Nazmul Habib, Deborah M. Massey, John G. Massey, Pascal A. Nsame, Ernest Y. Wu, Emmanuel Yashchin