Patents by Inventor George R. Mulfinger

George R. Mulfinger 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: 10777642
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein may include forming a first straight sidewall spacer adjacent a gate structure of a transistor, forming a second straight sidewall spacer on the first straight sidewall spacer and forming a recessed layer of sacrificial material adjacent the second straight sidewall spacer such that the recessed layer of sacrificial material covers an outer surface of a first vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer while exposing a second vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer. In this example, the method may also include removing the second vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer, removing the recessed layer of sacrificial material and forming an epi material such that an edge of the epi material engages the outer surface of the first vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Hong, George R. Mulfinger, Hui Zang, Liu Jiang, Zhenyu Hu
  • Publication number: 20200287019
    Abstract: Structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A gate structure of the field-effect transistor is arranged over an active region comprised of a semiconductor material. A first sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to the gate structure. A second sidewall spacer includes a section arranged between the first sidewall spacer and the active region. The first sidewall spacer is composed of a low-k dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Hong Yu, Man Gu, Jianwei Peng, Michael Aquilino
  • Patent number: 10756184
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to faceted epitaxial source/drain regions and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure over a substrate; an L-shaped sidewall spacer located on sidewalls of the gate structure and extending over the substrate adjacent to the gate structure; and faceted diffusion regions on the substrate, adjacent to the L-shaped sidewall spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Timothy J. McArdle, Judson R. Holt, Steffen A. Sichler, Ömür I. Aydin, Wei Hong, Yi Qi, Hui Zang, Liu Jiang
  • Patent number: 10741556
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned sacrificial epitaxial cap for trench silicide and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include a Si fin formed in a PFET region; a pair of Si fins formed in a NFET region; epitaxial S/D regions formed on ends of the Si fins; a replacement metal gate formed over the Si fins in the PFET and NFET regions; metal silicide trenches formed over the epitaxial S/D regions in the PFET and NEFT regions; a metal layer formed over top surfaces of the S/D region in the PFET region and top and bottom surfaces of the S/D regions in the NFET region, wherein the epitaxial S/D regions in the PFET and NFET regions are diamond shaped in cross-sectional view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Lakshmanan H. Vanamurthy, Scott Beasor, Timothy J. McArdle, Judson R. Holt, Hao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200243646
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein may include forming a first straight sidewall spacer adjacent a gate structure of a transistor, forming a second straight sidewall spacer on the first straight sidewall spacer and forming a recessed layer of sacrificial material adjacent the second straight sidewall spacer such that the recessed layer of sacrificial material covers an outer surface of a first vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer while exposing a second vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer. In this example, the method may also include removing the second vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer, removing the recessed layer of sacrificial material and forming an epi material such that an edge of the epi material engages the outer surface of the first vertical portion of the second straight sidewall spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Wei Hong, George R. Mulfinger, Hui Zang, Liu Jiang, Zhenyu Hu
  • Publication number: 20200243645
    Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein may include forming a first straight sidewall spacer adjacent a gate structure of a transistor, forming a recessed layer of sacrificial material adjacent the first straight sidewall spacer and forming a second straight sidewall spacer on a portion of the outer surface of the first straight sidewall spacer and above the recessed layer of sacrificial material. The method may also include removing the recessed layer of sacrificial material so as to expose a first vertical portion of the outer surface of the first straight sidewall spacer and forming an epi material on and above the substrate, wherein an edge of the epi material engages the first straight sidewall spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Wei Hong, George R. Mulfinger, Hui Zang, Liu Jiang, Zhenyu Hu
  • Patent number: 10680065
    Abstract: Device structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a device structure for a field-effect transistor. A channel region is arranged laterally between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The channel region includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer arranged over the first semiconductor layer. A gate structure is arranged over the second semiconductor layer of the channel region The first semiconductor layer is composed of a first semiconductor material having a first carrier mobility. The second semiconductor layer is composed of a second semiconductor material having a second carrier mobility that is greater than the first carrier mobility of the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Timothy J. McArdle, Jody Fronheiser, El Mehdi Bazizi, Yi Qi
  • Publication number: 20200144365
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to faceted epitaxial source/drain regions and methods of manufacture. The structure includes: a gate structure over a substrate; an L-shaped sidewall spacer located on sidewalls of the gate structure and extending over the substrate adjacent to the gate structure; and faceted diffusion regions on the substrate, adjacent to the L-shaped sidewall spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: George R. MULFINGER, Timothy J. MCARDLE, Judson R. HOLT, Steffen A. SICHLER, Ömür I. AYDIN, Wei HONG, Yi QI, Hui ZANG, Liu JIANG
  • Publication number: 20200044029
    Abstract: Device structures for a field-effect transistor and methods of forming a device structure for a field-effect transistor. A channel region is arranged laterally between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The channel region includes a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer arranged over the first semiconductor layer. A gate structure is arranged over the second semiconductor layer of the channel region The first semiconductor layer is composed of a first semiconductor material having a first carrier mobility. The second semiconductor layer is composed of a second semiconductor material having a second carrier mobility that is greater than the first carrier mobility of the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Timothy J. McArdle, Jody Fronheiser, El Mehdi Bazizi, Yi Qi
  • Publication number: 20200020770
    Abstract: Structures for field-effect transistors and methods for forming field-effect transistors. A sidewall spacer is arranged adjacent to a sidewall of a gate structure. The sidewall spacer includes a first section and a second section arranged over the first section. The first section of the sidewall spacer is composed of a first dielectric material, and the second section of the sidewall spacer is composed of a second dielectric material different from the first dielectric material. A source/drain region includes a first section arranged adjacent to the first section of the sidewall spacer and a second section arranged adjacent to the second section of the sidewall spacer. The second section of the source/drain region is spaced by a gap from the second section of the sidewall spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yi Qi, Hsien-Ching Lo, Xusheng Wu, Hui Zang, Zhenyu Hu, George R. Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 10396078
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may include: a first device region laterally adjacent to a second device region over a substrate, the first device region including a first fin and the second device region including a second fin; a first source/drain epitaxial region substantially surrounding at least a portion of the first fin; a spacer substantially surrounding the first source/drain epitaxial region, the spacer including an opening in a lateral end portion of the spacer such that the lateral end portion of the spacer overhangs a lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region; and a liner conformally coating the lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region beneath the overhanging lateral end portion of the spacer, wherein the liner includes an electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Judson R. Holt, Christopher D. Sheraw, Timothy J. McArdle, Matthew W. Stoker, Mira Park, George R. Mulfinger, Yinxiao Yang
  • Patent number: 10236343
    Abstract: A pFET includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate; and a trench isolation within the SOI substrate, the trench isolation including a raised portion extending above an upper surface of the SOI substrate. A compressive channel silicon germanium (cSiGe) layer is over the SOI substrate. A strain retention member is positioned between at least a portion of the raised portion of the trench isolation and the compressive cSiGe layer. A gate and source/drain regions are positioned over the compressive cSiGe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Dina H. Triyoso, Timothy J. McArdle, Judson R. Holt, Amy L. Child, George R. Mulfinger
  • Publication number: 20190027370
    Abstract: Methods of forming a field-effect transistor. A gate structure is formed that overlaps with a channel region in a semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin is etched with a first etching process to form a cavity extending through the semiconductor fin and into a substrate fin underlying the semiconductor fin. After the cavity is formed, the semiconductor fin is etched selective to the substrate fin with a second etching process to widen a portion of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Hyun-Jin Cho, Anil Kumar, Timothy J. McArdle
  • Publication number: 20180286863
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an integrated circuit structure. The integrated circuit structure may include: a first device region laterally adjacent to a second device region over a substrate, the first device region including a first fin and the second device region including a second fin; a first source/drain epitaxial region substantially surrounding at least a portion of the first fin; a spacer substantially surrounding the first source/drain epitaxial region, the spacer including an opening in a lateral end portion of the spacer such that the lateral end portion of the spacer overhangs a lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region; and a liner conformally coating the lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region beneath the overhanging lateral end portion of the spacer, wherein the liner includes an electrical insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Judson R. Holt, Christopher D. Sheraw, Timothy J. McArdle, Matthew W. Stoker, Mira Park, George R. Mulfinger, Yinxiao Yang
  • Publication number: 20180233505
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned sacrificial epitaxial cap for trench silicide and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include a Si fin formed in a PFET region; a pair of Si fins formed in a NFET region; epitaxial S/D regions formed on ends of the Si fins; a replacement metal gate formed over the Si fins in the PFET and NFET regions; metal silicide trenches formed over the epitaxial S/D regions in the PFET and NEFT regions; a metal layer formed over top surfaces of the S/D region in the PFET region and top and bottom surfaces of the S/D regions in the NFET region, wherein the epitaxial S/D regions in the PFET and NFET regions are diamond shaped in cross-sectional view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: George R. MULFINGER, Lakshmanan H. VANAMURTHY, Scott BEASOR, Timothy J. MCARDLE, Judson R. HOLT, Hao ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10020307
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an integrated circuit structure and a method of forming the same. The integrated circuit structure may include: a first device region laterally adjacent to a second device region over a substrate, the first device region including a first fin and the second device region including a second fin; a first source/drain epitaxial region substantially surrounding at least a portion of the first fin; a spacer substantially surrounding the first source/drain epitaxial region, the spacer including an opening in a lateral end portion of the spacer such that the lateral end portion of the spacer overhangs a lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region; and a liner lining the lateral end portion of the first source/drain epitaxial region beneath the overhanging lateral end portion of the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Judson R. Holt, Christopher D. Sheraw, Timothy J. McArdle, Matthew W. Stoker, Mira Park, George R. Mulfinger, Yinxiao Yang
  • Publication number: 20180190768
    Abstract: A pFET includes a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate; and a trench isolation within the SOI substrate, the trench isolation including a raised portion extending above an upper surface of the SOI substrate. A compressive channel silicon germanium (cSiGe) layer is over the SOI substrate. A strain retention member is positioned between at least a portion of the raised portion of the trench isolation and the compressive cSiGe layer. A gate and source/drain regions are positioned over the compressive cSiGe layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Dina H. Triyoso, Timothy J. McArdle, Judson R. Holt, Amy L. Child, George R. Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 9917103
    Abstract: Methods of forming a diffusion break are disclosed. The method includes forming a diffusion break after source/drain formation, by removing a gate stack of the dummy gate to a buried insulator of an SOI substrate, creating a first opening; and filling the first opening with a dielectric to form the diffusion break. An IC structure includes the diffusion break in contact with an upper surface of the buried insulator. In an optional embodiment, the method may also include simultaneously forming an isolation in an active gate to an STI in the SOI substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Jin Z. Wallner
  • Patent number: 9812453
    Abstract: A method for forming a self-aligned sacrificial epitaxial cap for trench silicide and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a Si fin in a PFET region and a pair of Si fins in a NFET region; forming epitaxial S/D regions; forming a spacer over the S/D region in the PFET region; forming a sacrificial cap over the S/D regions in the NFET region, merging the pair of Si fins; removing the spacer from the S/D region in the PFET region; forming silicide trenches over the S/D regions in the PFET and NEFT regions; implanting dopant into the S/D region in the PFET region while the sacrificial cap protects the S/D regions in the NFET region; removing the sacrificial cap; and forming a metal layer over top surfaces of the S/D region in the PFET region and top and bottom surfaces of the S/D regions in the NFET region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: George R. Mulfinger, Lakshmanan H. Vanamurthy, Scott Beasor, Timothy J. McArdle, Judson R. Holt, Hao Zhang