Patents by Inventor Eugene J. O'Sullivan

Eugene J. O'Sullivan 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: 10573444
    Abstract: A magnetic laminating structure and process for preventing substrate bowing include multiple film stack segments that include a first magnetic layer, at least one additional magnetic layer, and a dielectric spacer disposed between the first and at least one additional magnetic layers. A dielectric isolation layer is intermediate magnetic layers and on the sidewalls thereof. The magnetic layers are characterized by defined tensile strength and the multiple segments function to relive the stress as the magnetic laminating structure is formed, wherein the cumulative thickness of the magnetic layers is greater than 1 micron. Also described are methods for forming the magnetic laminating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Hariklia Deligianni, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20200038918
    Abstract: A first material is filled during a semiconductor fabrication process in a space bound on at least one side by a fence formation created as a result of an etching operation. A solvent-removable material is deposited such that the solvent-removable material encapsulates at least that portion of the fence formation which is protruding from the structure such that a height of the fence formation exceeds a height of the structure. The portion of the fence formation which is protruding from the structure and a first portion of the solvent-removable material are removed by planarization. A second portion of the solvent-removable material is removed by dissolving in a solvent, the second portion remaining after removal by the planarization of the first portion of the solvent-removable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20200035394
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a laminated magnetic inductor and resulting structures having anisotropic magnetic layers. A first magnetic stack is formed having one or more magnetic layers alternating with one or more insulating layers. A trench is formed in the first magnetic stack oriented such that an axis of the trench is perpendicular to a hard axis of the magnetic inductor. The trench is filled with a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20200032383
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a magnetic stack arrangement of a laminated magnetic inductor having a high frequency peak quality factor (Q). A first magnetic stack is formed having one or more magnetic layers alternating with one or more insulating layers in a first inner region of a laminated magnetic inductor. A second magnetic stack is formed opposite a surface of the first magnetic stack in an outer region of the laminated magnetic inductor. A third magnetic stack is formed opposite a surface of the second magnetic stack in a second inner region of the laminated magnetic inductor. The insulating layers are formed such that a thickness of an insulating layer in the second magnetic stack is greater than a thickness of an insulating layer in the first magnetic stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20200003727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of using a sensor. The method includes accessing a sample and exposing the sample to the sensor. The sensor includes a sensing circuit having with a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate structure. A cavity is formed in a fill material that is over the gate structure. A probe of the sensor is within a portion of the cavity. An upper region of the probe is above a top surface of the fill material, and a lower region of the probe is below the top surface of the fill material. The probe structure includes a 3D sensing surface structure, and a liner is formed on the 3D sensing surface and configured to function as a recognition element. A portion of the liner is on the lower region of the probe and positioned between sidewalls of the cavity and the 3D sensing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Sufi Zafar
  • Patent number: 10475496
    Abstract: A technique relates to a magnetic device. A stack is formed including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), the MTJ including a reference magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer sandwiching a tunnel barrier layer. A protective film is formed on a bottom portion of the MTJ such that an upper portion of the MTJ is exposed. A cleaning is performed on the upper portion of the MTJ that is exposed such that any residual material is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Annunziata, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190341090
    Abstract: A technique relates to a magnetic device. A stack is formed including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), the MTJ including a reference magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer sandwiching a tunnel barrier layer. A protective film is formed on a bottom portion of the MTJ such that an upper portion of the MTJ is exposed. A cleaning is performed on the upper portion of the MTJ that is exposed such that any residual material is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony ANNUNZIATA, Bruce B. DORIS, Eugene J. O'SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20190288191
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cell with at least one magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is provided. The method includes disposing a metallic landing pad within a dielectric pad in a substrate and selectively depositing seed layer material over the substrate. This selective deposition forms a seed layer on which the MTJ is disposable on the metallic landing pad but not the dielectric pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: ANTHONY J. ANNUNZIATA, CHANDRASEKHARAN KOTHANDARAMAN, NATHAN P. MARCHACK, EUGENE J. O'SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 10396144
    Abstract: Provided is an inductor structure. In embodiments of the invention, the inductor structure includes a first laminated stack. The first laminated stack includes layers of an insulating material alternating with layers of a first magnetic material. The inductor structure includes a laminated second stack formed on the first laminated stack. The second laminated stack includes layers of the insulating material alternating with layers of a second magnetic material. The second magnetic material has a greater permeability than does the first magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20190252116
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of fabricating a yoke arrangement of an inductor. A non-limiting example method includes forming a dielectric layer across from a major surface of a substrate. The method further includes configuring the dielectric layer such that it imparts a predetermined dielectric layer compressive stress on the substrate. A magnetic stack is formed on an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the substrate, wherein the magnetic stack includes one or more magnetic layers alternating with one or more insulating layers. The method further includes configuring the magnetic stack such that it imparts a predetermined magnetic stack tensile stress on the dielectric layer, wherein a net effect of the predetermined dielectric layer compressive stress and the predetermined magnetic stack tensile stress on the substrate is insufficient to cause a portion of the major surface of the substrate to be substantially non-planar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Patent number: 10373747
    Abstract: A magnetic laminating inductor structure and process for preventing substrate bowing and damping losses generally include a laminated film stack including a magnetic layer having a tensile stress, an insulating layer having a compressive stress disposed on the magnetic layer, and a dielectric planarizing layer on the insulating layer. The dielectric planarizing layer has a neutral stress and a roughness value less than the insulating layer. The reduction in surface roughness reduces damping losses and the compressive stress of the insulating layers reduces wafer bowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20190237659
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate. At least one trench line is formed within the substrate. A pad layer is formed in contact with the at least one trench line. A seed layer is formed on and in contact with the pad layer. The seed layer has a Root Mean Square surface roughness equal to or less than 3 Angstroms. A magnetic tunnel junction stack is formed on and in contact with the seed layer. The method includes forming a seed layer on and in contact with a semiconductor structure. The seed layer is annealed and then planarized. A magnetic tunnel junction stack is formed on and in contact with the seed layer after the seed layer has been planarized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony J. ANNUNZIATA, Chandrasekharan KOTHANDARAMAN, Janusz J. NOWAK, Eugene J. O'SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20190221346
    Abstract: A magnetic laminating structure and process for preventing substrate bowing include multiple film stack segments that include a first magnetic layer, at least one additional magnetic layer, and a dielectric spacer disposed between the first and at least one additional magnetic layers. A dielectric isolation layer is intermediate magnetic layers and on the sidewalls thereof. The magnetic layers are characterized by defined tensile strength and the multiple segments function to relive the stress as the magnetic laminating structure is formed, wherein the cumulative thickness of the magnetic layers is greater than 1 micron. Also described are methods for forming the magnetic laminating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce B. Doris, Hariklia Deligianni, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Patent number: 10355204
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cell with at least one magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is provided. The method includes disposing a metallic landing pad within a dielectric pad in a substrate and selectively depositing seed layer material over the substrate. This selective deposition forms a seed layer on which the MTJ is disposable on the metallic landing pad but not the dielectric pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Annunziata, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman, Nathan P. Marchack, Eugene J. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10355070
    Abstract: Provided is an inductor structure. In embodiments of the invention, the inductor structure includes a first laminated stack. The first laminated stack includes layers of an insulating material alternating with layers of a first magnetic material. The inductor structure includes a laminated second stack formed on the first laminated stack. The second laminated stack includes layers of the insulating material alternating with layers of a second magnetic material. The second magnetic material has a greater permeability than does the first magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Patent number: 10347411
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of fabricating a yoke arrangement of an inductor. A non-limiting example method includes forming a dielectric layer across from a major surface of a substrate. The method further includes configuring the dielectric layer such that it imparts a predetermined dielectric layer compressive stress on the substrate. A magnetic stack is formed on an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the substrate, wherein the magnetic stack includes one or more magnetic layers alternating with one or more insulating layers. The method further includes configuring the magnetic stack such that it imparts a predetermined magnetic stack tensile stress on the dielectric layer, wherein a net effect of the predetermined dielectric layer compressive stress and the predetermined magnetic stack tensile stress on the substrate is insufficient to cause a portion of the major surface of the substrate to be substantially non-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20190207099
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and at least one trench line formed within the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a self-aligned landing pad in contact with the at least one trench line, and a magnetic tunnel junction stack formed on and in contact with the self-aligned landing pad. The method includes forming a conductive layer on and in contact with at least one trench line formed within a substrate. Magnetic tunnel junction stack layers are deposited on and in contact with the conductive layer. The magnetic tunnel junction stack layers are etched to form a magnetic tunnel junction stack, where the etching stops on the conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony J. ANNUNZIATA, Chandrasekharan KOTHANDARAMAN, Nathan P. MARCHACK, Eugene J. O'SULLIVAN
  • Publication number: 20190206619
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic material stack on a substrate, comprises forming a first dielectric layer, forming a first magnetic material layer on the first dielectric layer, forming at least a second dielectric layer on the first magnetic material layer and forming at least a second magnetic material layer on the second dielectric layer. During one or more of the forming steps, a surface smoothing operation is performed to remove at least a portion of surface roughness on the layer being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20190198243
    Abstract: A magnetic material stack comprises a first dielectric layer, a first magnetic material layer on the first dielectric layer, at least a second dielectric layer on the first magnetic material layer and at least a second magnetic material layer on the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Hariklia Deligianni, Bruce B. Doris, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Naigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20190189914
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first spacer material over two or more mandrels disposed over a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) stack. The method also includes performing a first sidewall image transfer of the two or more mandrels to form a first set of fins of the first spacer material over the MRAM stack, and performing a second sidewall image transfer to form a plurality of pillars of the first spacer material over the MRAM stack. The pillars of the first spacer material form top electrodes for a plurality of MRAM cells patterned from the MRAM stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyazoe, Nathan P. Marchack, HsinYu Tsai, Eugene J. O'Sullivan, Karthik Yogendra