Patents by Inventor Eugene A. Fitzgerald

Eugene A. Fitzgerald 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: 20060189109
    Abstract: Structures and methods for fabricating high speed digital, analog, and combined digital/analog systems using planarized relaxed SiGe as the materials platform. The relaxed SiGe allows for a plethora of strained Si layers that possess enhanced electronic properties. By allowing the MOSFET channel to be either at the surface or buried, one can create high-speed digital and/or analog circuits. The planarization before the device epitaxial layers are deposited ensures a flat surface for state-of-the-art lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: AmberWave Systems
    Inventor: Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20060186510
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Lochtefeld, Thomas Langdo, Richard Hammond, Matthew Currie, Glyn Braithwaite, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20060174818
    Abstract: A method for minimizing particle generation during deposition of a graded Si1-xGex layer on a semiconductor material includes providing a substrate in an atmosphere including a Si precursor and a Ge precursor, wherein the Ge precursor has a decomposition temperature greater than germane, and depositing the graded Si1-xGex layer having a final Ge content of greater than about 0.15 and a particle density of less than about 0.3 particles/cm2 on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: AmberWave Systems
    Inventors: Eugene Fitzgerald, Richard Westhoff, Matthew Currie, Christopher Vineis, Thomas Langdo
  • Patent number: 7081410
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, at least one first crystalline epitaxial layer on the substrate, the first layer having a surface which is planarized, and at least one second crystalline epitaxial layer on the at least one first layer. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a semiconductor structure including a silicon substrate, and a GeSi graded region grown on the silicon substrate, compressive strain being incorporated in the graded region to offset the tensile strain that is incorporated during thermal processing. In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, a first layer having a graded region grown on the substrate, compressive strain being incorporated in the graded region to offset the tensile strain that is incorporated during thermal processing, the first layer having a surface which is planarized, and a second layer provided on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7074623
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Thomas A. Langdo, Richard Hammond, Matthew T. Currie, Glyn Braithwaite, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20060148225
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating multi-layer semiconductor structures including strained material layers using a minimum number of process tools and under conditions optimized for each layer. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Eugene Fitzgerald, Matthew Currie
  • Patent number: 7060632
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating multi-layer semiconductor structures including strained material layers using a minimum number of process tools and under conditions optimized for each layer. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Fitzgerald, Matthew Currie
  • Publication number: 20060113542
    Abstract: A structure and method of forming same, comprising a low threading density alloy graded layer, deposited according to a deposition temperature profile in correspondence with increasing alloy composition. In one embodiment, a first substantially relaxed alloy graded layer is deposited while varying a deposition temperature according to a first temperature profile. A second substantially relaxed alloy graded layer is deposited over the first graded layer while varying a deposition temperature according to a second temperature profile. Preferably, the minimum signed rate of change of the second temperature profile is less than the maximum signed rate of change of the first temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David Isaacson, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7041170
    Abstract: A method for minimizing particle generation during deposition of a graded Si1-xGex layer on a semiconductor material includes providing a substrate in an atmosphere including a Si precursor and a Ge precursor, wherein the Ge precursor has a decomposition temperature greater than germane, and depositing the graded Si1-xGex layer having a final Ge content of greater than about 0.15 and a particle density of less than about 0.3 particles/cm2 on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene A. Fitzgerald, Richard Westhoff, Matthew T. Currie, Christopher J. Vineis, Thomas A. Langdo
  • Publication number: 20060073674
    Abstract: A method and structure for forming semiconductor structures using tensilely strained gettering layers. The method includes forming a donor wafer comprising a tensilely strained gettering layer disposed over a substrate, and at least one material layer disposed over the tensilely strained gettering layer. Additionally, the donor wafer may possess a particle-confining region proximate the tensilely strained layer. The method also includes introducing particles into the donor wafer to a depth below the surface, and accumulating at least some particles within the tensilely strained gettering layer. Next, the method includes initiating a cleaving action so as to separate at least one of the material layers form the substrate. The tensilely strained gettering layer may accumulate particles and/or point defects and reduce the implantation dose and thermal budget required for cleaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eugene Fitzgerald, Arthur Pitera
  • Patent number: 7005668
    Abstract: A method of forming a MOSFET device is provided. The method includes providing a substrate. The method includes forming on the substrate a relaxed SiGe layer having a Ge content between 0.51 and 0.80. Furthermore, the method includes depositing on the relaxed SiGe layer a ?-Si layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Minjoo L. Lee, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6995430
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Langdo, Matthew T. Currie, Richard Hammond, Anthony J. Lochtefeld, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20060011983
    Abstract: A buried channel FET including a substrate, a relaxed SiGe layer, a channel layer, a SiGe cap layer, and an ion implanted dopant supply. The ion implanted dopant supply can be in either the SiGe cap layer or the relaxed SiGe layer. In one embodiment the FET is a MOSFET. In another embodiment the FET is within an integrated circuit. In yet another embodiment, the FET is interconnected to a surface channel FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6987286
    Abstract: A light-emitter structure is provided. The light emitter structure includes a platform. An Inx(AlyGa1-y)1-xP lower clad region is formed on the platform and has a lattice constant between approximately 5.49 ? and 5.62 ?. A strained quantum-well active region is formed on the lower clad region. An Inx(AlyGa1-y)1-xP upper clad region is formed on the strained quantum well active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Lisa McGill, Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20050280103
    Abstract: The benefits of strained semiconductors are combined with silicon-on-insulator approaches to substrate and device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Langdo, Matthew Currie, Glyn Braithwaite, Richard Hammond, Anthony Lochtefeld, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20050280026
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based structure includes first and second layers bonded directly to each other at an interface. Parallel to the interface, the lattice spacing of the second layer is different than the lattice spacing of the first layer. The first and second layers are each formed of essentially the same semiconductor. A method for making a semiconductor-based structure includes providing first and second layers that are formed of essentially the same semiconductor. The first and second layers have, respectively, first and second surfaces. The second layer has a different lattice spacing parallel to the second surface than the lattice spacing of the first layer parallel to the first surface. The method includes contacting the first and second surfaces, and annealing to promote direct atomic bonding between the first and second layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: David Isaacson, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20050280081
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based structure includes first, second, and intermediate layers, with the intermediate layer bonded directly to the first layer, and in contact with the second layer. Parallel to the bonded interface, the lattice spacing of the second layer is different than the lattice spacing of the first layer, though first and second layers are each formed of essentially the same semiconductor. A method for making a semiconductor-based structure includes directly bonding a first layer to an intermediate layer, and providing a second layer in contact with the intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David Isaacson, Gianni Taraschi, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20050279992
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based structure includes a substrate layer, a compressively strained semiconductor layer adjacent to the substrate layer to provide a channel for a component, and a tensilely strained semiconductor layer disposed between the substrate layer and the compressively strained semiconductor layer. A method for making an electronic device includes providing, on a strain-inducing substrate, a first tensilely strained layer, forming a compressively strained layer on the first tensilely strained layer, and forming a second tensilely strained layer on the compressively strained layer. The first and second tensilely strained layers can be formed of silicon, and the compressively strained layer can be formed of silicon and germanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Saurabh Gupta, Minjoo Lee, Eugene Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6974735
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based device includes a channel layer, which includes a distal layer and a proximal layer in contact with the distal layer. The distal layer supports at least a portion of hole conduction for at least one p-channel component, and the proximal layer supports at least a portion of electron conduction for at least one n-channel component. The proximal layer has a thickness that permits a hole wave function to effectively extend from the proximal layer into the distal layer to facilitate hole conduction by the distal layer. A method for fabricating a semiconductor-based device includes providing a distal portion of a channel layer and providing a proximal portion of the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6969875
    Abstract: A buried channel FET including a substrate, a relaxed SiGe layer, a channel layer, a SiGe cap layer, and an ion implanted dopant supply. The ion implanted dopant supply can be in either the SiGe cap layer or the relaxed SiGe layer. In one embodiment the FET is a MOSFET. In another embodiment the FET is within an integrated circuit. In yet another embodiment, the FET is interconnected to a surface channel FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: AmberWave Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene A. Fitzgerald