Patents by Inventor Francois Leverd

Francois Leverd 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: 20230005735
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a cavity that traverses a stack of layers including a bottom layer, a first portion of which locally presents an excess thickness, the method comprising a first step of non-selective etching and a second step of selective etching vertically in line with the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Delia RISTOIU, Pierre BAR, Francois LEVERD
  • Patent number: 11469095
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a cavity that traverses a stack of layers including a bottom layer, a first portion of which locally presents an excess thickness, the method comprising a first step of non-selective etching and a second step of selective etching vertically in line with the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Delia Ristoiu, Pierre Bar, Francois Leverd
  • Publication number: 20220028726
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitive isolation trench in a semiconductor substrate includes digging a trench from a main surface of the substrate, the trench including an upper portion gradually widening from a neck in the direction of a lower portion of the trench. A coating of a first electrically isolating material is formed on the walls of the trench. A first semiconductor material is deposited on the coating, with the deposition being interrupted so as to leave a free space between the walls of the trench, the free space having an opening at the neck. A second electrically isolating material is deposited in the trench, with the deposition resulting in the formation of a plug closing the opening to form a closed cavity. The plug is etched so as to open the cavity, and a second semiconductor material or a metal is deposited so as to fill the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Denis MONNIER, Francois LEVERD
  • Patent number: 10770306
    Abstract: A cavity is etched in a stack of layers which includes a first layer made of a first material and a second layer made of a second material. To etch the cavity, a first etch mask having a first opening is formed over the stack of layer. The stack of layers is then etched through the first opening to a depth located in the second layer. A second mask having a second opening, the dimensions of which are smaller, in top view, than the first opening, is formed over the stack of layer. The second opening is located, in top view, opposite the area etched through the first opening. The second layer is then etched through the second opening to reach the first layer. The etch method used is configured to etch the second material selectively over the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Bar, Francois Leverd, Delia Ristoiu
  • Publication number: 20200211835
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a cavity that traverses a stack of layers including a bottom layer, a first portion of which locally presents an excess thickness, the method comprising a first step of non-selective etching and a second step of selective etching vertically in line with the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Delia RISTOIU, Pierre BAR, Francois LEVERD
  • Publication number: 20190214270
    Abstract: A cavity is etched in a stack of layers which includes a first layer made of a first material and a second layer made of a second material. To etch the cavity, a first etch mask having a first opening is formed over the stack of layer. The stack of layers is then etched through the first opening to a depth located in the second layer. A second mask having a second opening, the dimensions of which are smaller, in top view, than the first opening, is formed over the stack of layer. The second opening is located, in top view, opposite the area etched through the first opening. The second layer is then etched through the second opening to reach the first layer. The etch method used is configured to etch the second material selectively over the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Pierre BAR, Francois LEVERD, Delia RISTOIU
  • Patent number: 8847344
    Abstract: An integrated imaging device includes a silicon layer provided over a dielectric multilayer. The dielectric multilayer includes a top silicon-dioxide layer, an intermediate silicon-nitride layer and a bottom silicon-dioxide layer. Imaging circuitry is formed at a frontside of the silicon layer. An isolating structure surrounds the imaging circuitry and extends from the frontside through the silicon layer and top silicon-dioxide layer into and terminating within the intermediate silicon-nitride layer. A filter for the imaging circuitry is mounted to a backside of the bottom silicon-dioxide layer. The isolating structure is formed by a trench filled with a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Croles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Francois Leverd, Jens Prima
  • Patent number: 8796148
    Abstract: A method for producing a deep trench in a substrate includes a series of elementary etch cycles each etching a portion of the trench. Each elementary cycle includes deposition of a passivation layer on the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench portion etched during previous cycles; followed by pulsed plasma anisotropic ion etching of the trench portion etched during previous cycles, the etching; being implemented in an atmosphere comprising a passivating species; and including a first etch sequence followed by a second etch sequence of less power than the power of the first etch sequence. The first etch sequence etches the passivation layer deposited in the bottom of the portion so as to access the substrate and etches the free substrate at the bottom of the portion while leaving a passivation layer on sidewalls of the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: François Leverd, Laurent Favennec, Arnaud Tournier
  • Patent number: 8436440
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a back-side illuminated image sensor, including the steps of: forming, inside and on top of an SOI-type silicon layer, components for trapping and transferring photogenerated carriers and isolation regions; forming a stack of interconnection levels on the silicon layer and attaching, on the interconnect stack, a semiconductor handle; removing the semiconductor support; forming, in the insulating layer and the silicon layer, trenches reaching the isolation regions; depositing a doped amorphous silicon layer, more heavily doped than the silicon layer, at least on the walls and the bottom of the trenches and having the amorphous silicon layer crystallize; and filling the trenches with a reflective material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Marty, François Leverd
  • Publication number: 20130052829
    Abstract: A method for producing a deep trench in a substrate includes a series of elementary etch cycles each etching a portion of the trench. Each elementary cycle includes deposition of a passivation layer on the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench portion etched during previous cycles; followed by pulsed plasma anisotropic ion etching of the trench portion etched during previous cycles, the etching; being implemented in an atmosphere comprising a passivating species; and including a first etch sequence followed by a second etch sequence of less power than the power of the first etch sequence. The first etch sequence etches the passivation layer deposited in the bottom of the portion so as to access the substrate and etches the free substrate at the bottom of the portion while leaving a passivation layer on sidewalls of the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Leverd, Laurent Favennec, Arnaud Tournier
  • Publication number: 20120306035
    Abstract: An integrated imaging device includes a silicon layer provided over a dielectric multilayer. The dielectric multilayer includes a top silicon-dioxide layer, an intermediate silicon-nitride layer and a bottom silicon-dioxide layer. Imaging circuitry is formed at a frontside of the silicon layer. An isolating structure surrounds the imaging circuitry and extends from the frontside through the silicon layer and top silicon-dioxide layer into and terminating within the intermediate silicon-nitride layer. A filter for the imaging circuitry is mounted to a backside of the bottom silicon-dioxide layer. The isolating structure is formed by a trench filled with a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Francois Leverd, Jens Prima
  • Publication number: 20110108939
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a back-side illuminated image sensor, including the steps of: forming, inside and on top of an SOI-type silicon layer, components for trapping and transferring photogenerated carriers and isolation regions; forming a stack of interconnection levels on the silicon layer and attaching, on the interconnect stack, a semiconductor handle; removing the semiconductor support; forming, in the insulating layer and the silicon layer, trenches reaching the isolation regions; depositing a doped amorphous silicon layer, more heavily doped than the silicon layer, at least on the walls and the bottom of the trenches and having the amorphous silicon layer crystallize; and filling the trenches with a reflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Michel Marty, François Leverd
  • Patent number: 7456071
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a buried layer of determined conductivity type in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of a main circuit surface, in which the median portion of this buried layer is filled with a metal-type material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Marty, Philippe Coronel, François Leverd
  • Patent number: 7214597
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating integrated electronic components. According to the method, an initial structure is produced on the surface of a first substrate. This initial structure incorporates a defined pattern formed from volumes of differentiated materials. At least part of the initial substrate that includes the defined pattern is transferred onto a second substrate, preferably by inverting the first substrate against the second substrate and then removing the first substrate. An additional structure is then produced on the second substrate. This additional structure includes volumes of material placed in correspondence with some of the volumes of differentiated material of the defined pattern. The electronic components thus produced may have a suitable configuration in accordance with technological or geometrical constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Coronel, Francois Leverd, Thomas Skotnicki
  • Publication number: 20050191818
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a buried layer of determined conductivity type in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of a main circuit surface, in which the median portion of this buried layer is filled with a metal-type material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Marty, Philippe Coronel, Francois Leverd
  • Patent number: 6828646
    Abstract: An isolation trench formed in a semiconductor substrate has side walls and a bottom wall. Spacers are on the side walls and face each other for forming a narrow channel therebetween. The bottom wall and the spacers are coated with an electrically insulating material for delimiting a closed empty cavity in the channel. The isolation trench is applicable to the manufacture of integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Michel Marty, Francois Leverd, Philippe Coronel, Joaquin Torres
  • Publication number: 20040145058
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing buried connections in an integrated circuit, including the steps of: providing a structure formed of a first support wafer glued at the rear surface of a thin semiconductor wafer, one or several elements of the integrated circuit being possibly formed in and above the thin wafer; gluing a second support wafer on the structure on the front surface side of the thin wafer; removing the first support wafer; forming connections between different areas of the rear surface of the thin wafer; gluing a third support wafer on the connections; and removing the second support wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Michel Marty, Francois Leverd, Philippe Coronel
  • Patent number: 6759304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DRAM integration method that does away with the alignment margins inherent to the photoetching step of the upper electrode of the capacitance for inserting the bit line contact. The removal of the upper electrode is self-aligned on the lower electrode of the capacitance. This is accomplished by forming a difference in topography at the point where the opening of the upper electrode is to be made, and depositing a non-doped polysilicon layer on the upper electrode. An implantation of dopants is performed on this layer, and the part of the non-doped layer located in the lower part of the zone showing the difference in topography is selectively etched. The remainder of the polysilicon layer and the part of the upper electrode located in the lower layer are also etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Philippe Coronel, Marc Piazza, François Leverd
  • Publication number: 20040104448
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a buried layer of determined conductivity type in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of a main circuit surface, in which the median portion of this buried layer is filled with a metal-type material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Michel Marty, Philippe Coronel, Francois Leverd
  • Publication number: 20040033676
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating integrated electronic components. According to the method, an initial structure is produced on the surface of a first substrate. This initial structure incorporates a defined pattern formed from volumes of differentiated materials. At least part of the initial substrate that includes the defined pattern is transferred onto a second substrate, preferably by inverting the first substrate against the second substrate and then removing the first substrate. An additional structure is then produced on the second substrate. This additional structure includes volumes of material placed in correspondence with some of the volumes of differentiated material of the defined pattern. The electronic components thus produced may have a suitable configuration in accordance with technological or geometrical constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Coronel, Francois Leverd, Thomas Skotnicki