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).

  • Publication number: 20210098294
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming BPR structures filled with a replacement BPR material, first S/D structures, first replacement silicide layers, and a pre-metallization dielectric that covers the first replacement silicide layers and the first S/D structures. The method also includes forming first interconnect openings in the pre-metallization dielectric and first replacement interconnect layers in the first interconnect openings. The first replacement interconnect layers are connected to the first replacement silicide layers. A thermal process is executed. The method further includes replacing, from a first side of the first wafer, a first group of the first replacement interconnect layers, a first group of the first replacement silicide layers, and the replacement BPR material, and replacing, from a second side of the first wafer, a second group of the first replacement interconnect layers, and a second group of the first replacement silicide layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey SMITH, Lars LIEBMANN, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Hiroki NIIMI, Kandabara TAPILY, Subhadeep KAL, Jodi GRZESKOWIAK, Anton DEVILLIERS
  • Publication number: 20210098306
    Abstract: A first source/drain (S/D) structure of a first transistor is formed on a substrate and positioned at a first end of a first channel structure of the first transistor. A first substitute silicide layer is deposited on a surface of the first S/D structure and made of a first dielectric. A second dielectric is formed to cover the first substitute silicide layer and the first S/D structure. A first interconnect opening is formed subsequently in the second dielectric to uncover the first substitute silicide layer. The first interconnect opening is filled with a first substitute interconnect layer, where the first substitute interconnect layer is made of a third dielectric. Further, a thermal processing of the substrate is executed. The first substitute interconnect layer and the first substitute silicide layer are removed. A first silicide layer is formed on the surfaces of the first S/D structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Hiroaki Niimi, Jodi Grzeskowiak, Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Kandabara Tapily, Subhadeep Kal, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Patent number: 10964706
    Abstract: A 3-D IC includes a substrate having a substrate surface. A first semiconductor device has a first electrical contact and is formed in a first area of the surface on a first plane substantially parallel to the substrate surface. A second semiconductor device has a second electrical contact and is formed in a second area of the surface on a second plane substantially parallel to the surface and vertically spaced from the first plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface. A first electrode structure includes opposing top and bottom surfaces substantially parallel to the substrate surface, and a sidewall connecting the top and bottom surfaces such that the electrode structure forms a three dimensional electrode space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Publication number: 20210088904
    Abstract: A method of forming a pattern on a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a first layer on an underlying layer of the substrate, where the first layer is patterned to have a first structure. The method also includes depositing a grafting material on side surfaces of the first structure, where the grafting material includes a solubility-shifting material. The method further includes diffusing the solubility-shifting material by a predetermined distance into a neighboring structure that abuts the solubility-shifting material, where the solubility-shifting material changes solubility of the neighboring structure in a developer, and removing soluble portions of the neighboring structure using the developer to form a second structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Anton J. DEVILLIERS, Jodi GRZESKOWIAK, Daniel FULFORD, Richard A. FARRELL, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210082901
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating high density logic and memory for advanced circuit architecture. The methods can include forming multilayer stacks on separate substrates and forming bonding films over the multilayer stacks, then contacting and bonding the bonding films to form a combined structure including each of the multilayer stacks. The method can be repeated to form additional combinations. In between iterations, transistor devices may be formed from the combined structures. Ionized atom implantation can facilitate cleavage of a substrate destined for growth of additional multilayers, wherein an anneal weakens the substrate at a predetermined penetration depth of the ionized atom implantation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim Fulford, Jeffrey Smith, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Publication number: 20210082750
    Abstract: A method of metallization includes receiving a substrate having a recess formed therein. The recess has a bottom and sidewalls, and a conformal liner is deposited on the bottom and sidewalls of the recess. The conformal liner is removed from an upper portion of the recess to expose upper sidewalls of the recess while leaving the conformal liner in a lower portion of the recess covering the bottom and lower sidewalls of the recess. Metal is deposited in a lower portion of the recess to form a metallization feature including the conformal liner in the lower portion of the recess and the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kai-Hung YU, Jodi GRZESKOWIAK, Nicholas JOY, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210052262
    Abstract: A specimen retrieval system for easier tissue removal during endoscopic surgery. The device includes a specimen tube with a main tube, and a mechanism for pulling and everting the distal end of the tube into the tube, or a side channel provided within the tube. The mechanism may include a tether fixed to the distal edge of the tube, or a grasper operable to grasp the distal edge of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Freehold Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Darren R. Sherman, Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 10930764
    Abstract: A semiconductor device herein includes doped extension regions for silicon and silicon germanium nanowires. The nanowires can be selectively grown and recessed into a gate spacer. The semiconductor device can include a gate structure including the gate spacer; the nanowire or channel extending through the gate structure such that an end of the channel is recessed within a recess in said gate spacer; an extension region in contact with the end of the channel within the recess, the extension region being formed of an extension material having a different composition than a channel material of the channel such that a strain is provided in the channel; and a source-drain contact in contact with the extension region and adjacent to the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kandabara Tapily, Jeffrey Smith, Nihar Mohanty, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Patent number: 10923392
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device can have a substrate including dielectric material. A plurality of narrow interconnect openings can be formed within said dielectric material. In addition, a plurality of wide interconnect openings can be formed within said dielectric material. The semiconductor device can include a first metal filling the narrow interconnect openings to form an interconnect structure and conformally covering a surface of the wide interconnect openings formed in the dielectric material, and a second metal formed over the first metal and encapsulated by the first metal to form another interconnect structure within the wide interconnect openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Soo Doo Chae, Jeffrey Smith, Gerrit J. Leusink, Robert D. Clark, Kai-Hung Yu
  • Patent number: 10918387
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having an elongated shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end. An end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end and includes opposed jaws. A housing is included in one of the jaws, the housing having a housing proximal end, a housing distal end, an upper surface, a distal garage having lateral surfaces that extend above the upper surface, and a plurality of staple openings extending through the upper surface. A knife member is supported within the housing for movement distally. The knife member is moveable into a predetermined parked position such that a first portion of the cutting blade displaces below the upper surface and a second portion remains displaced above the upper surface. There is enough lateral clearance in the predetermined parked position between the lateral faces and the second portion to accommodate a dislodged staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Duque, Thomas N. McNamara, Jeffrey A. Smith, Bennie Thompson, Ashley Wellman, Donald Frank Wilson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210043522
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a 3D semiconductor device, the method including forming a first target structure, the first target structure including at least one upper gate, at least one bottom gate, and a dielectric separation layer disposed between and separating the at least one upper gate and the at least one bottom gate; removing material in a plurality of material removal areas in the first target structure, the plurality of material removal areas including at least one material removal area that extends through the at least one upper gate to a top of the dielectric separation layer; and forming a first contact establishing a first electrical connection to the upper gate and a second contact establishing a second electrical connection to the at least one bottom gate, such that the first contact and second contact are independent of each other
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton deVilliers
  • Publication number: 20210043519
    Abstract: A method of forming transistor devices is described that includes forming a first transistor plane on a substrate, the first transistor plane including at least one layer of epitaxial film adaptable for forming channels of field effect transistors, depositing a first insulator layer on the first transistor plane, depositing a first layer of polycrystalline silicon on the first insulator layer, annealing the first layer of polycrystalline silicon using laser heating. The laser heating increases grain size of the first layer of polycrystalline silicon. The method further includes forming a second transistor plane on the first layer of polycrystalline silicon, the second transistor plane being adaptable for forming channels of field effect transistors, depositing a second insulator layer on the second transistor plane, depositing a second layer of polycrystalline silicon on the second insulator layer, and annealing the second layer of polycrystalline silicon using laser heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: H. Jim FULFORD, Mark I. GARDNER, Jeffrey SMITH, Lars LIEBMANN, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME
  • Publication number: 20210043630
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor apparatus including a first stack of transistors and a second stack of transistors. The first stack includes a first transistor and a second transistor stacked on the first transistor along a Z direction perpendicular to a substrate plane. The second stack includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor stacked on the third transistor along the Z direction. The semiconductor apparatus includes a first routing track and a second routing track electrically isolated from the first routing track. The first and second routing tracks extend in an X direction parallel to the substrate plane. A first and fourth conductive trace conductively couple a first gate of the first transistor and a fourth gate of the fourth transistor to the first routing track, respectively. A first terminal structure conductively couples four source/drain terminals of the first, second, third and fourth transistors, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton deVilliers, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Publication number: 20210043516
    Abstract: A method of forming transistor devices includes forming a first transistor plane on a substrate, the first transistor plane including at least one layer of field effect transistors; depositing a first insulator layer on the first transistor plane; forming holes in the first insulator layer using a first etch mask; depositing a first layer of polycrystalline silicon on the first insulator layer, the first layer of polycrystalline filling the holes and covering the first insulator layer; and annealing the first layer of polycrystalline silicon using laser heating, the laser heating creating regions of single-crystal silicon. A top surface of the first transistor plane is a top surface of a stack of silicon formed by epitaxial growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. GARDNER, H. Jim Fulford, Jeffrey Smith, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Patent number: 10916637
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate-all-around semiconductor device, includes providing a substrate having a layered fin structure thereon. The layered fin structure includes a channel portion and a sacrificial portion each extending along a length of the layered fin structure, wherein the layered fin structure being covered with replacement gate material. A dummy gate is formed on the replacement gate material over the layered fin structure, wherein the dummy gate having a critical dimension which extends along the length of the layered fin structure. The method further includes forming a gate structure directly under the dummy gate, the gate structure including a metal gate region and gate spacers provided on opposing sides of the metal gate region, wherein a total critical dimension of the gate structure is equal to the critical dimension of the dummy gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Anton deVilliers
  • Patent number: 10916472
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a high volume manufacturing system for processing and measuring workpieces in a semiconductor processing sequence without leaving the system's controlled environment (e.g., sub-atmospheric pressure). The system includes an active interdiction control system to implement corrective processing within the system when a non-conformity is detected. The corrective processing can include a remedial process sequence to correct the non-conformity or compensate for the non-conformity during subsequent process. The non-conformity may be associated with fabrication measurement data, process parameter data, and/or platform performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Robert Clark, Jeffrey Smith, Kandabara Tapily, Angelique Raley, Qiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20210035967
    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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Daniel Chanemougame, Anton DeVilliers
  • Publication number: 20210028169
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for forming a semiconductor apparatus. The method includes forming a first field-effect transistor (FET) that includes a first gate on a substrate of the semiconductor apparatus. The method includes forming a second FET that is stacked on the first FET along a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate and includes a second gate. The method includes forming a first routing track and a second routing track that is electrically isolated from the first routing track. Each of the first and second routing tracks is provided on a routing plane stacked on the second FET along the direction. A first conductive trace configured to conductively couple the first gate of the first FET to the first routing track can be formed. A second conductive trace configured to conductively couple the second gate of the second FET to the second routing track can be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara N. TAPILY, Subhadeep KAL, Gerrit J. LEUSINK
  • Patent number: D912794
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, Jeffrey A. Smith
  • Patent number: D914186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fresh Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brown, Jeffrey A. Smith