Patents by Inventor John Drynan

John Drynan 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: 20070141777
    Abstract: A method of forming a double-sided capacitor using at least one sacrificial structure, such as a sacrificial liner or a sacrificial plug. A sacrificial liner is formed along sidewalls of at least one opening in an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer. A first conductive layer is then formed over the sacrificial liner. The sacrificial liner is then selectively removed to expose a first surface of the first conductive layer without damaging exposed components on the semiconductor wafer. Removing the sacrificial liner forms an open space adjacent to the first surface of the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer and a second conductive layer are formed in the open space, producing the double-sided capacitor. Methods of forming a double-sided capacitor having increased capacitance and a contact are also disclosed. In addition, an intermediate semiconductor device structure including at least one sacrificial structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Fred Fishburn, Forest Chen, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20070096190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnectiine by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventor: John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20070072343
    Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor construction having a wire bonding region associated with a metal-containing layer, and having radiation-imageable material over the metal-containing layer. The radiation-imageable material can be configured as a multi-level pattern having a first topographical region with a first elevational height and a second topographical region with a second elevational height above the first elevational height. The second topographical region can be laterally displaced from the bonding region by at least a lateral width of the first topographical region, with said lateral width being at least about 10 microns. Additionally, or alternatively, the elevational height of the second topographical region can be at least about 2 microns above the elevational height of the first topographical region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: John Aiton, Joseph Richards, J. Rolfson, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20060246705
    Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor construction having a wire bonding region associated with a metal-containing layer, and having radiation-imageable material over the metal-containing layer. The radiation-imageable material can be configured as a multi-level pattern having a first topographical region with a first elevational height and a second topographical region with a second elevational height above the first elevational height. The second topographical region can be laterally displaced from the bonding region by at least a lateral width of the first topographical region, with said lateral width being at least about 10 microns. Additionally, or alternatively, the elevational height of the second topographical region can be at least about 2 microns above the elevational height of the first topographical region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: John Aiton, Joseph Richards, J. Roltson, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20060170025
    Abstract: A conductive material is provided in an opening formed in an insulative material. The process involves first forming a conductive material over at least a portion of the opening and over at least a portion of the insulative material which is outside of the opening. Next, a metal-containing fill material is formed over at least a portion of the conductive material which is inside the opening and which is also over the insulative material outside of the opening. The metal-containing material at least partially fills the opening. At least a portion of both the metal-containing fill material and the conductive material outside of the opening is then removed. Thereafter, at least a portion of the metal-containing fill material which is inside the opening is then removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventor: John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20060157767
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive contact to a conductive structure includes forming a conductive structure received within and projecting outwardly from a first insulative material. A second different insulative material is deposited. The second insulative material is anisotropically etched effective to form a sidewall etch stop for the conductive structure. A third insulative material is deposited over the conductive structure and the sidewall etch stop. The third insulative material is different in composition from the second insulative material. A contact opening is etched through the third insulative material to the conductive structure using an etch chemistry which is substantially selective to the second insulative material of the sidewall etch stop. Integrated circuitry independent of the method of fabrication is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: John Drynan, Thomas Figura
  • Publication number: 20060033123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventor: John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20060024942
    Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor construction having a wire bonding region associated with a metal-containing layer, and having radiation-imageable material over the metal-containing layer. The radiation-imageable material can be configured as a multi-level pattern having a first topographical region with a first elevational height and a second topographical region with a second elevational height above the first elevational height. The second topographical region can be laterally displaced from the bonding region by at least a lateral width of the first topographical region, with said lateral width being at least about 10 microns. Additionally, or alternatively, the elevational height of the second topographical region can be at least about 2 microns above the elevational height of the first topographical region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Inventors: John Aiton, Joseph Richards, J. Rolfson, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20050208729
    Abstract: A method of forming a double-sided capacitor using at least one sacrificial structure, such as a sacrificial liner or a sacrificial plug. A sacrificial liner is formed along sidewalls of at least one opening in an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer. A first conductive layer is then formed over the sacrificial liner. The sacrificial liner is then selectively removed to expose a first surface of the first conductive layer without damaging exposed components on the semiconductor wafer. Removing the sacrificial liner forms an open space adjacent to the first surface of the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer and a second conductive layer are formed in the open space, producing the double-sided capacitor. Methods of forming a double-sided capacitor having increased capacitance and a contact are also disclosed. In addition, an intermediate semiconductor device structure including at least one sacrificial structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Fred Fishburn, Forest Chen, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20050124163
    Abstract: A method of forming a conductive contact to a conductive structure includes forming a conductive structure received within and projecting outwardly from a first insulative material. A second different insulative material is deposited. The second insulative material is anisotropically etched effective to form a sidewall etch stop for the conductive structure. A third insulative material is deposited over the conductive structure and the sidewall etch stop. The third insulative material is different in composition from the second insulative material. A contact opening is etched through the third insulative material to the conductive structure using an etch chemistry which is substantially selective to the second insulative material of the sidewall etch stop. Integrated circuitry independent of the method of fabrication is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Drynan, Thomas Figura
  • Publication number: 20050118760
    Abstract: A method of forming a double-sided capacitor using at least one sacrificial structure, such as a sacrificial liner or a sacrificial plug. A sacrificial liner is formed along sidewalls of at least one opening in an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer. A first conductive layer is then formed over the sacrificial liner. The sacrificial liner is then selectively removed to expose a first surface of the first conductive layer without damaging exposed components on the semiconductor wafer. Removing the sacrificial liner forms an open space adjacent to the first surface of the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer and a second conductive layer are formed in the open space, producing the double-sided capacitor. Methods of forming a double-sided capacitor having increased capacitance and a contact are also disclosed. In addition, an intermediate semiconductor device structure including at least one sacrificial structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Fred Fishburn, Forest Chen, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20050106806
    Abstract: A method of forming a double-sided capacitor using at least one sacrificial structure, such as a sacrificial liner or a sacrificial plug. A sacrificial liner is formed along sidewalls of at least one opening in an insulating layer on a semiconductor wafer. A first conductive layer is then formed over the sacrificial liner. The sacrificial liner is then selectively removed to expose a first surface of the first conductive layer without damaging exposed components on the semiconductor wafer. Removing the sacrificial liner forms an open space adjacent to the first surface of the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer and a second conductive layer are formed in the open space, producing the double-sided capacitor. Methods of forming a double-sided capacitor having increased capacitance and a contact are also disclosed. In addition, an intermediate semiconductor device structure including at least one sacrificial structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Fred Fishburn, Forest Chen, John Drynan
  • Publication number: 20050026412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed as initially partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration. In subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by selective etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: John Drynan