Patents by Inventor Ian D. Melville

Ian D. Melville 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: 8563416
    Abstract: A solder bump support structure and method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The solder bump support structure includes an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer formed over a silicon substrate. The ILD layer has a plurality of conductive vias. The structure further includes a first insulation layer formed on the ILD layer. The solder bump support structure further includes a pedestal member formed on the ILD layer which includes a conductive material formed above the plurality of conductive vias in the ILD layer coaxially surrounded by a second insulation layer. The second insulation layer is thicker than the first insulation layer. The structure further includes a capping under bump metal (UBM) layer formed over, and in electrical contact with, the conductive material and formed over at least a portion of the second insulation layer of the pedestal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Michael Erwin, Ian D. Melville, Ekta Misra, George John Scott
  • Publication number: 20130273743
    Abstract: A wafer and a fabrication method include a base structure including a substrate for fabricating semiconductor devices. The base structure includes a front side where the semiconductor devices are formed and a back side opposite the front side. An integrated layer is formed in the back side of the base structure including impurities configured to alter etch selectivity relative to the base structure such that the integrated layer is selectively removable from the base structure to remove defects incurred during fabrication of the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Jennifer C. Clark, Emily R. Kinser, Ian D. Melville, Candace A. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20130234329
    Abstract: Structures and methods to reduce maximum current density in a solder ball are disclosed. A method includes forming a contact pad in a last wiring level and forming a plurality of wires of the contact pad extending from side edges of the contact pad to respective ones of a plurality of vias. Each one of the plurality of wires has substantially the same electrical resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Intetnational Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raschid J. BEZAMA, Timothy H. DAUBENSPECK, Gary LaFONTANT, Ian D. MELVILLE, Ekta MISRA, George J. SCOTT, Krystyna W. SEMKOW, Timothy D. SULLIVAN, Robin A. SUSKO, Thomas A. WASSICK, Xiaojin WEI, Steven L. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 8486814
    Abstract: A wafer and a fabrication method include a base structure including a substrate for fabricating semiconductor devices. The base structure includes a front side where the semiconductor devices are formed and a back side opposite the front side. An integrated layer is formed in the back side of the base structure including impurities configured to alter etch selectivity relative to the base structure such that the integrated layer is selectively removable from the base structure to remove defects incurred during fabrication of the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer C. Clark, Emily R. Kinser, Ian D. Melville, Candace A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8446006
    Abstract: Structures and methods to reduce maximum current density in a solder ball are disclosed. A method includes forming a contact pad in a last wiring level and forming a plurality of wires of the contact pad extending from side edges of the contact pad to respective ones of a plurality of vias. Each one of the plurality of wires has substantially the same electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raschid J. Bezama, Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Gary LaFontant, Ian D. Melville, Ekta Misra, George J. Scott, Krystyna W. Semkow, Timothy D. Sullivan, Robin A. Susko, Thomas A. Wassick, Xiaojin Wei, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 8445374
    Abstract: A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Ian D. Melville, Kevin S. Petrarca
  • Publication number: 20130026624
    Abstract: A solder bump support structure and method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The solder bump support structure includes an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer formed over a silicon substrate. The ILD layer has a plurality of conductive vias. The structure further includes a first insulation layer formed on the ILD layer. The solder bump support structure further includes a pedestal member formed on the ILD layer which includes a conductive material formed above the plurality of conductive vias in the ILD layer coaxially surrounded by a second insulation layer. The second insulation layer is thicker than the first insulation layer. The structure further includes a capping under bump metal (UBM) layer formed over, and in electrical contact with, the conductive material and formed over at least a portion of the second insulation layer of the pedestal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Michael Erwin, Ian D. Melville, Ekta Misra, George John Scott
  • Publication number: 20130020682
    Abstract: A wafer and a fabrication method include a base structure including a substrate for fabricating semiconductor devices. The base structure includes a front side where the semiconductor devices are formed and a back side opposite the front side. An integrated layer is formed in the back side of the base structure including impurities configured to alter etch selectivity relative to the base structure such that the integrated layer is selectively removable from the base structure to remove defects incurred during fabrication of the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jennifer C. Clark, Emily R. Kinser, Ian D. Melville, Candace A. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20120319246
    Abstract: Multi-Project Wafers includes a plurality of chiplets from different IP owners. Non-relevant chiplets are implemented with IP protection to inhibit IP disclosure of non-relevant IP owners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soon Yoeng TAN, Teck Jung TANG, Ian D. MELVILLE, Yelei Vianna YAO, Yasushi YAMAGATA
  • Publication number: 20120228748
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing the same is disclosed. The structure includes an organic passivation layer with solids suspended therein. Preferential etch to remove a portion of the organic material and expose portions of such solids creates enhanced surface roughness, which provides a significant advantage with respect to adhesion of that passivation layer to the packaging underfill material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: ALEXANDRE BLANDER, JON A. CASEY, TIMOTHY H. DAUBENSPECK, IAN D. MELVILLE, JENNIFER V. MUNCY, MARIE-CLAUDE PAQUET
  • Patent number: 8236615
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing the same is disclosed. The structure includes an organic passivation layer with solids suspended therein. Preferential etch to remove a portion of the organic material and expose portions of such solids creates enhanced surface roughness, which provides a significant advantage with respect to adhesion of that passivation layer to the packaging underfill material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Blander, Jon A Casey, Timothy H Daubenspeck, Ian D Melville, Jennifer V Muncy, Marie-Claude Paquet
  • Publication number: 20120168952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of making a semiconductor device wherein an insulation layer has a copper plug in contact with the last wiring layer of the device. There may also be a barrier layer separating the copper plug from the insulation layer. There may also be a cap layer over the copper plug to protect it from oxidation. There may also be a dielectric layer over the cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Emily R. Kinser, Ian D. Melville, Krystyna W. Semkow
  • Publication number: 20120168956
    Abstract: A method forms an integrated circuit structure, using a manufacturing device, to have kerf regions and external contacts, and to have conductive structures in the kerf regions. The method also forms an underfill material on a surface of the integrated circuit structure, using the manufacturing device, that contacts the kerf regions and the external contacts. The underfill material comprises electrically attracted filler particles that affect the coefficient of thermal expansion and elastic modulus of the underfill material. When forming the underfill material, the method applies an electrical charge to the conductive structures and the external contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane S. Barbeau, Catherine C. Dufort, Ian D. Melville, Luc L. Ouellet, Marie-Claude Paquet, Wolfgang Sauter, Jeffrey S. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20120161300
    Abstract: Methods of blocking ionizing radiation to reduce soft errors and resulting IC chips are disclosed. One embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming at least one back end of line (BEOL) dielectric layer including ionizing radiation blocking material therein. Another embodiment includes forming a front end of line (FEOL) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip; and forming an ionizing radiation blocking layer positioned in a back end of line (BEOL) of the IC chip. The ionizing radiation blocking material or layer absorbs ionizing radiation and reduces soft errors within the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Ian D. Melville, Kevin S. Petrarca, Kenneth P. Rodbell
  • Publication number: 20120135564
    Abstract: A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Ian D. Melville, Kevin S. Petrarca
  • Patent number: 8120175
    Abstract: A method creates a structure that comprises a carrier connected to an integrated circuit chip by pillars and openings. Thus, in this structure, at least one conductive pillar extends a distance or height from the surface of the integrated circuit chip and a barrier surrounds the lower portion of the conductive pillar such that the barrier covers at least some portion of the height of the pillar that is closest to the chip surface. There is at least one opening in the carrier that is large enough to accommodate the conductive pillar and the barrier, and the conductive pillar and the barrier are positioned in opening. A solder is used in the bottom of the opening to connect the conductive pillar to the bottom of the opening. The barrier prevents the solder from contacting the portion of the conductive pillar protected by the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Ian D. Melville, Kevin S. Petrarca
  • Patent number: 8022543
    Abstract: A first metallic diffusion barrier layer is formed on a last level metal plate exposed in an opening of a passivation layer. Optionally, a metallic adhesion promotion layer is formed on the first metallic diffusion barrier layer. An elemental metal conductive layer is formed on the metallic adhesion promotion layer, which provides a highly conductive structure that distributes current uniformly due to the higher electrical conductivity of the material than the layers above or below. A stack of the second metallic diffusion barrier layer and a wetting promotion layer is formed, on which a C4 ball is bonded. The elemental metal conductive layer distributes the current uniformly within the underbump metallurgy structure, which induces a more uniform current distribution in the C4 ball and enhanced electromigration resistance of the C4 ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Robert Hannon, Emily R. Kinser, Ian D. Melville
  • Publication number: 20110193197
    Abstract: A structure to prevent propagation of a crack into the active region of a 3D integrated circuit, such as a crack initiated by a flaw at the periphery of a thinned substrate layer or a bonding layer, and methods of forming the same is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: MUKTA G. FAROOQ, JOHN A. GRIESEMER, WILLIAM F. LANDERS, IAN D. MELVILLE, THOMAS M. SHAW, HUILONG ZHU
  • Publication number: 20110147922
    Abstract: Structures and methods to reduce maximum current density in a solder ball are disclosed. A method includes forming a contact pad in a last wiring level and forming a plurality of wires of the contact pad extending from side edges of the contact pad to respective ones of a plurality of vias. Each one of the plurality of wires has substantially the same electrical resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raschid J. BEZAMA, Timothy H. DAUBENSPECK, Gary LaFONTANT, Ian D. MELVILLE, Ekta MISRA, George J. SCOTT, Krystyna W. SEMKOW, Timothy D. SULLIVAN, Robin A. SUSKO, Thomas A. WASSICK, Xiaojin WEI, Steven L. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20110121469
    Abstract: A structure and method for producing the same is disclosed. The structure includes an organic passivation layer with solids suspended therein. Preferential etch to remove a portion of the organic material and expose portions of such solids creates enhanced surface roughness, which provides a significant advantage with respect to adhesion of that passivation layer to the packaging underfill material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexandre Blander, Jon A. Casey, Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Ian D. Melville, Jennifer V. Muncy, Marie-Claude Paquet