Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith 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: 12642084
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device with air gaps for low capacitance interconnects. The method includes providing a substrate containing raised metal features with a top area and a sidewall, and a void between the raised metal features, filling the void with a sacrificial fill material, and selectively depositing a blocking layer on the sacrificial fill material. The method further includes depositing a cap layer on the top area of the raised metal features, where the cap layer has an overhang that extends past the sidewall, removing the blocking layer and the sacrificial fill material between the raised metal features, and depositing a dielectric film, where the dielectric film forms an air gap between the raised metal features below the overhang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kandabara Tapily, Jeffrey Smith, Robert D Clark
  • Patent number: 12635583
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes backside power rails over a bulk semiconductor material, a first bonding dielectric layer over the backside power rails, a first tier of transistors over the first bonding dielectric layer, a second bonding dielectric layer over the first tier of transistors, and a second tier of transistors over the second bonding dielectric layer. The first tier of transistors includes first channel structures having a first epitaxially grown semiconductor material. The second tier of transistors includes second channel structures having a second epitaxially grown semiconductor material. The backside power rails are spaced apart from the first tier of transistors by the first bonding dielectric layer. The first tier of transistors is spaced apart from the second tier of transistors by the second bonding dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 12628635
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a field-effect transistor (FET) having a source/drain (S/D) structure and an interconnect structure in contact with the S/D structure. The interconnect structure has a barrier film at a surface of the interconnect structure separating the interconnect structure from materials surrounding the interconnect structure. A first portion of the barrier film covers a first interface between the interconnect structure and the S/D structure. A second portion of the barrier film covers a second interface between the interconnect structure and dielectric materials adjacent to the interconnect structure. The first portion of the barrier film is thicker than the second portion of the barrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Hiroaki Niimi, Kandabara Tapily, Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann
  • Patent number: 12628411
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a stack of epitaxially grown layers alternating between a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material that is etch selective to the first semiconductor material. Fin structures are formed from the stack. The fin structures include channel structures formed of the first semiconductor material. The channel structures have opposing ends that are uncovered. Sidewall constraints are formed at the opposing ends of the channel structures. Each pair of the sidewall constraints laterally bounds a respective source/drain (S/D) region at a respective end of the channel structures while having a respective top opening for accessing the respective S/D region. S/D structures are formed on the opposing ends of the channel structures by epitaxially growing a third semiconductor material between each pair of the sidewall constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Smith
  • Publication number: 20260113986
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor structure. For example, the semiconductor structure can include a first lower semiconductor device having one or more first lower channels and first lower work function metal (WFM) covering the first lower channels, and a first upper semiconductor device stacked vertically over the first lower semiconductor device. The first upper semiconductor device can have one or more first upper channels and first upper WFM covering the first upper channels. The semiconductor structure can also include a monolayer formed on dielectric surfaces of the semiconductor structure, and an isolation dielectric deposited on the first lower WFM and between the first lower semiconductor device and the first upper semiconductor device to isolate the first lower semiconductor device from the first upper semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey SMITH, Lars LIEBMANN, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Paul GUTWIN, Kandabara TAPILY, Subhadeep KAL, Robert CLARK
  • Patent number: 12598788
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a tier of transistors and devices. Each transistor includes a respective channel structure including a first epitaxially grown semiconductor material, a respective shell structure all around a respective middle portion of the respective channel structure, a respective gate structure all around the respective shell structure, and respective source/drain (S/D) structures on respective opposing ends of the respective channel structure. The respective middle portion of each channel structure has a smaller circumference than the respective opposing ends of each channel structure when viewed from a respective current direction in the channel structure. The respective shell structure is formed of a semiconductor material having lattice mismatch with the first epitaxially grown semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Smith
  • Publication number: 20260061059
    Abstract: Formulations for highly purified viral particles (e.g., adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles) are provided herein. The formulations include purified AAV particles that are substantially free of impurities (e.g., product-related impurities and process-related impurities), and one or more of a buffering agent, a cryoprotectant, a non-ionic surfactant, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. In certain aspects, the formulation maintains or enhances stability and/or reduces or prevents aggregation of the purified AAV particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: JANSSEN BIOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. TOMKOWICZ, Matthew P. ERCOLINO, Stephen T. SPAGNOL, Sakya Sing MOHAPATRA, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Patent number: 12568651
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method, which includes providing a semiconductor structure including a first lower semiconductor device and a first upper semiconductor device stacked vertically over the first lower semiconductor device. The first lower semiconductor device has one or more first lower channels. The first upper semiconductor device has one or more first upper channels. First work function metal (WFM) can cover the first lower channels and the first upper channels. The method can also include recessing the first WFM to uncover the first upper channels of the first upper semiconductor device, depositing a monolayer on uncovered dielectric surfaces of the semiconductor structure, depositing isolation dielectric on the first WFM of the first lower semiconductor device, and depositing second WFM to cover the first upper channels of the first upper semiconductor device. The isolation dielectric isolates the first lower semiconductor device from the first upper semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame, Paul Gutwin, Kandabara Tapily, Subhadeep Kal, Robert Clark
  • Patent number: 12564027
    Abstract: A process includes forming, over a dielectric layer, a hardmask stack including a first layer below a second layer below a third layer below a fourth layer. The first and third layers include a different hardmask material from the second and fourth layers. A trench pattern including sidewall spacer structures is formed over the hardmask stack. The fourth layer is etched in a first region. The fourth and third layers are etched in a second region. The fourth and third layers are etched in a third region. The fourth layer is etched in a fourth region. The second and first layers are etched in the second and third regions. The third layer is etched in the first and fourth regions. In the dielectric layer, trenches are formed in the first and fourth regions, and via openings, deeper than the trenches, are formed in the second and third regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, David Power, Eric Chih-Fang Liu, Anton J. Devilliers, Kandabara Tapily, Jodi Grzeskowiak, David Conklin, Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 12557377
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a multi-tier semiconductor structure. For example, the semiconductor structure can include a lower semiconductor device tier including lower semiconductor devices, an upper semiconductor device tier disposed over the lower semiconductor device tier and including upper semiconductor devices, a separation layer disposed between and separating the lower and upper semiconductor device tiers, a wiring tier disposed below the lower semiconductor device tier, a lower gate contact extending from a lower gate region of the lower semiconductor device tier downward to the wiring tier, an upper gate contact extending from an upper gate region of the upper semiconductor device tier downward through the separation layer to the wiring tier, and an isolator covering a lateral surface of the upper gate contact and electrically isolating the upper and lower gate contacts. The lower gate contact and the upper gate contact can be independent from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Paul Gutwin
  • Patent number: 12557392
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an array of unit cells, each unit cell of which including field effect transistors arranged in a stack. Local interconnect structures form select conductive paths between select terminals of the field effect transistors to define cell circuitry that is confined within each unit cell. An array of contacts is disposed on an accessible surface of the unit cell, where each contact is electrically coupled to a corresponding electrical node of the cell circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Daniel Chanemougame, Anton deVilliers
  • Patent number: 12451354
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming, over a hardmask layer and an underlying layer of a substrate, a pattern of first trenches between adjacent template lines, each of the first trenches exposing a portion of the hardmask layer, and each of the template lines including a mandrel and spacers on sidewalls of the mandrel; forming a pattern of first blocks over the pattern of the first trenches and the template lines, the first blocks dividing the first trenches to form a pattern of first stencil trenches; transferring the pattern of first stencil trenches to the hardmask layer to form a pattern of first hardmask trenches, each of the first hardmask trenches exposing a portion of the underlying layer; forming a first fill layer filling the first hardmask trenches and exposing the mandrels; selectively removing the mandrels to form second trenches, each of the second trenches exposing a portion of the hardmask layer; and forming a conformal liner in the second trenches and over a surface of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Eric Chih-Fang Liu, Katie Lutker-Lee, Steven Grzeskowiak, Jodi Grzeskowiak, Jeffrey Smith, David L. O'Meara
  • Patent number: 12446291
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a multi-tier semiconductor structure. For example, the multi-tier semiconductor structure can include a first semiconductor device tier that includes first semiconductor devices. A first signal wiring structure can be formed over and electrically connected to the first semiconductor device tier. An insulator layer can be formed over the first signal wiring structure. A second semiconductor device tier can be formed over the insulator layer, the second semiconductor device tier including second semiconductor devices. A second signal wiring structure can be formed over and electrically connected to the second semiconductor device tier. An inter-tier via can be formed vertically through the insulator layer and electrically connecting the second signal wiring structure to the first signal wiring structure. The first semiconductor device tier, the second semiconductor device tier and the inter-tier via can be formed monolithically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Paul Gutwin, Xiaoqing Xu
  • Patent number: 12414367
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a semiconductor structure. For example, the semiconductor structure can include a lower channel structure, an upper channel structure formed vertically over the lower channel, a first transistor device including lower and upper gates formed around a first portion of the lower and upper channel structures, respectively, and a separation layer formed between and separating the lower and upper gates, and a second transistor device including a common gate formed around a second portion of the lower and upper channel structures. The first portion of the lower channel structure is equal to the first portion of the upper channel structure in width, and has a first width less than a second width of the second portion of the lower channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Daniel Chanemougame, Paul Gutwin
  • Patent number: 12354991
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes forming dummy power rails on a substrate by accessing from a first side of the substrate that is opposite to a second side of the substrate. Further, the method includes forming transistor devices and first wiring layers on the substrate by accessing the first side of the substrate. The dummy power rails are positioned below a level of the transistor devices on the first side of the substrate. Then, the method includes replacing the dummy power rails with conductive power rails by accessing from the second side of the substrate that is opposite to the first side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hoyoung Kang, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton Devilliers, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Patent number: 12336274
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a self-aligned microfabrication method, which can include providing a substrate having vertically arranged first and second channel structures, forming first and second sacrificial contacts to cover ends of the first and second channel structures, respectively, covering the first and second sacrificial contacts with a fill material, recessing the fill material such that the second sacrificial contact is at least partially uncovered while the first sacrificial contact remains covered, replacing the second sacrificial contact with a cover spacer, removing a remaining portion of the first fill material, uncovering the end of the first channel structure, forming a first source/drain (S/D) contact to cover the end of the first channel structure, covering the first S/D contact with a second fill material, uncovering the end of the second channel structure, and forming a second S/D contact at the end of the second channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Paul Gutwin, Subhadeep Kal, Kandabara Tapily, Anton Devilliers
  • Publication number: 20250159981
    Abstract: A first transistor tier is formed over a substrate, positioned in a first tier of the semiconductor device and includes bottom transistors extending along a horizontal direction parallel to the substrate. A first segment of a first conductive plane is formed in the first tier and adjacent to a first side of the first transistor tier, spans a height of the first transistor tier, and is connected to the first transistor tier. A second transistor tier is formed over the first transistor tier, positioned in a second tier of the semiconductor device and includes top transistors extending along the horizontal direction. A second segment of the first conductive plane is formed in the second tier and adjacent to a first side of the second transistor tier, positioned over and connected to the first segment of the first conductive plane, and spans a height of the second transistor tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: D1085488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daniels, Frank Savage, Brad Richards, Michael DeCaluwe, Alexander John Bozmoski, Jeffrey Smith, Terry Rumpel, Michael Case, Kyle Wick, Michael Carlin, Matthew Mueller
  • Patent number: D1109027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daniels, Frank Savage, Brad Richards, Scott Matthews, Alexander John Bozmoski, Jeffrey Smith, Terry Rumpel, Michael Case, Kyle Wick, Michael Carlin, Matthew Mueller
  • Patent number: D1123726
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben McGinley, Frank Savage, Brad Richards, Scott Matthews, Alexander John Bozmoski, Jeffrey Smith, Terry Rumpel, Timothy McChesney, Joseph Dennert, Matthew Paradise, Carl Hoy, Richard Bradatsch