Patents by Inventor Jorge Adrian Kittl

Jorge Adrian Kittl 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: 8344460
    Abstract: Ni3Si2 FUSI gates can be formed inter alia by further reaction of NiSi/Ni2Si gate stacks. Ni3Si2 behaves similarly to NiSi in terms of work function values, and of modulation with dopants on SiO2, in contrast to Ni-rich silicides which have significantly higher work function values on HfSixOy and negligible work function shifts with dopants on SiO2. Formation of Ni3Si2 can applied for applications targeting NiSi FUSI gates, thereby expanding the process window without changing the electrical properties of the FUSI gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventor: Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Patent number: 8183137
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a semiconductor device and method of manufacture therefore. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, in one embodiment, includes forming a layer of gate electrode material over a layer of gate dielectric material, wherein the layer of gate dielectric material is positioned over a substrate (210). This method further includes patterning the layer of gate electrode material and the layer of gate dielectric material into an NMOS gate structure (230), wherein the NMOS gate structure (230) includes an NMOS gate dielectric (240) and an NMOS gate electrode (250). This method further includes forming n-type source/drain regions (710) within the substrate (210) proximate the NMOS gate structure (230), and siliciding the NMOS gate electrode (250) to form a silicided gate electrode (1110, 1210). This method additionally includes placing a p-type dopant within the layer of gate electrode material or the NMOS gate electrode (250) prior to or concurrently with siliciding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Visokay, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20120018784
    Abstract: Ni3Si2 FUSI gates can be formed inter alia by further reaction of NiSi/Ni2Si gate stacks. Ni3Si2 behaves similarly to NiSi in terms of work function values, and of modulation with dopants on SiO2, in contrast to Ni-rich silicides which have significantly higher work function values on HfSixOy and negligible work function shifts with dopants on SiO2. Formation of Ni3Si2 can applied for applications targeting NiSi FUSI gates, thereby expanding the process window without changing the electrical properties of the FUSI gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: IMEC
    Inventor: Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Patent number: 7989344
    Abstract: Ni3Si2 FUSI gates can be formed inter alia by further reaction of NiSi/Ni2Si gate stacks. Ni3Si2 behaves similarly to NiSi in terms of work function values, and of modulation with dopants on SiO2, in contrast to Ni-rich silicides which have significantly higher work function values on HfSixOy and negligible work function shifts with dopants on SiO2. Formation of Ni3Si2 can applied for applications targeting NiSi FUSI gates, thereby expanding the process window without changing the electrical properties of the FUSI gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventor: Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Patent number: 7851297
    Abstract: A dual workfunction semiconductor device which comprises a first and second control electrode comprising a metal-semiconductor compound, e.g. a silicide or a germanide, and a dual workfunction semiconductor device thus obtained are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises forming a blocking region for preventing diffusion of metal from the metal-semiconductor compound of the first control electrode to the metal-semiconductor compound of the second control electrode, the blocking region being formed at a location where an interface between the first and second control electrodes is to be formed or is formed. By preventing metal to diffuse from the one to the other control electrode the constitution of the metal-semiconductor compounds of the first and second control electrodes may remain substantially unchanged during e.g. thermal steps in further processing of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Jorge Adrian Kittl, Marcus Johannes Henricus van Dal, Anne Lauwers, Masaaki Niwa
  • Patent number: 7759748
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed that comprises a fully silicided electrode formed of an alloy of a semiconductor material and a metal, a workfunction modulating element for modulating a workfunction of the alloy, and a dielectric in contact with the fully silicided electrode. At least a part of the dielectric which is in direct contact with the fully silicided electrode comprises a stopping material for substantially preventing the workfunction modulating element from implantation into and/or diffusing towards the dielectric. A method for forming such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: IMEC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC)
    Inventors: HongYu Yu, Shou-Zen Chang, Jorge Adrian Kittl, Anne Lauwers, Anabela Veloso
  • Patent number: 7504329
    Abstract: Low work function metals for use as gate electrode in nMOS devices are provided. The low work function metals include alloys of lanthanide(s), metal and semiconductor. In particular, an alloy of nickel-ytterbium (NiYb) is used to fully silicide (FUSI) a silicon gate. The resulting nickel-ytterbium-silicon gate electrode has a work function of about 4.22 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignees: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC), National University of Singapore (NUS), Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: HongYu Yu, Chen JingDe, Li Mingfu, Dim-Lee Kwong, Serge Biesemans, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Patent number: 7491635
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MOSFET device with a fully silicided (FUSI) gate is described. This method may be used to prevent formation of shorts between the FUSI gate and a contact to a source and/or a drain region. In particular, the method discloses the formation of an expansion volume above a gate dielectric. The volume is designed to substantially contain the fully silicided gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum, Texas Instruments Incorporated, Koninklijke Philips Electronics
    Inventors: Jorge Adrian Kittl, Anne Lauwers, Anabela Veloso, Anil Kottantharyil, Marcus Johannes Henricus Van Dal
  • Publication number: 20090020821
    Abstract: A dual workfunction semiconductor device which comprises a first and second control electrode comprising a metal-semiconductor compound, e.g. a silicide or a germanide, and a dual workfunction semiconductor device thus obtained are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises forming a blocking region for preventing diffusion of metal from the metal-semiconductor compound of the first control electrode to the metal-semiconductor compound of the second control electrode, the blocking region being formed at a location where an interface between the first and second control electrodes is to be formed or is formed. By preventing metal to diffuse from the one to the other control electrode the constitution of the metal-semiconductor compounds of the first and second control electrodes may remain substantially unchanged during e.g. thermal steps in further processing of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (IMEC)
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Jorge Adrian Kittl, Marcus Johannes Henricus van Dal, Anne Lauwers, Masaaki Niwa
  • Publication number: 20090001483
    Abstract: Ni3Si2 FUSI gates can be formed inter alia by further reaction of NiSi/Ni2Si gate stacks. Ni3Si2 behaves similarly to NiSi in terms of work function values, and of modulation with dopants on SiO2, in contrast to Ni-rich silicides which have significantly higher work function values on HfSixOy and negligible work function shifts with dopants on SiO2. Formation of Ni3Si2 can applied for applications targeting NiSi FUSI gates, thereby expanding the process window without changing the electrical properties of the FUSI gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICROELEKTRONICA CENTRUM (IMEC)
    Inventor: Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20080290427
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device and method of manufacture therefore. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, in one embodiment, includes forming an NMOS gate structure over a substrate, wherein the NMOS gate structure includes an NMOS gate dielectric and an NMOS gate electrode. The method further includes forming n-type source/drain regions within the substrate proximate the NMOS gate structure, and forming a metal alloy layer over the NMOS gate electrode. The method additionally includes incorporating the metal alloy into the NMOS gate electrode to form an NMOS gate electrode fully silicided with the metal alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Visokay, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20080290428
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a semiconductor device and method of manufacture therefore. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, in one embodiment, includes forming a layer of gate electrode material over a layer of gate dielectric material, wherein the layer of gate dielectric material is positioned over a substrate. This method further includes patterning the layer of gate electrode material and the layer of gate dielectric material into an NMOS gate structure, wherein the NMOS gate structure includes an NMOS gate dielectric and an NMOS gate electrode. This method further includes forming n-type source/drain regions within the substrate proximate the NMOS gate structure, and siliciding the NMOS gate electrode to form a silicided gate electrode. This method additionally includes placing a p-type dopant within the layer of gate electrode material or the NMOS gate electrode prior to or concurrently with siliciding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Visokay, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20080293193
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, wherein the gate structure includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The method further includes forming a metal layer over the gate electrode, and forming a fully silicided gate electrode using the metal layer. The fully silicided gate electrode may be formed by subjecting the gate electrode to a first anneal in a presence of the metal layer to form a silicided gate electrode, wherein a maximum temperature of the first anneal does not exceed about 340° C. The fully silicided gate electrode may further be formed by removing any unreacted portions of the metal layer after the first anneal, and subjecting the silicided gate electrode to a second anneal to form the fully silicided gate electrode subsequent to the removing. A maximum temperature of the second anneal exceeds about 400° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Visokay, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20080136030
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided comprising a main electrode (4) and a dielectric (3) in contact with the main electrode (4), the main electrode (4) comprising a material having a work function and a work function modulating element (6) for modulating the work function of the material of the main electrode (4) towards a predetermined value. The main electrode (4) furthermore comprises a diffusion preventing dopant element (5) for preventing diffusion of the work function modulating element (6) towards and/or into the dielectric (3). Methods for forming such a semiconductor device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicants: Interuniversitair MicroelektronicaCentrum (IMEC), Texas Instruments Inc., Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Shou-Zen Chang, Jorge Adrian Kittl, HongYu Yu, Anne Lauwers, Anabela Veloso
  • Patent number: 6777300
    Abstract: A polysilicon layer of a gate structure is covered by an implant blocking layer (e.g., silicon nitride). The implant blocking layer blocks introduction of implanted dopants while implanting an initial dose of first conductivity type dopant (e.g., for drain extension regions). The implant blocking layer is then removed and an additional dose of first conductivity type dopant in implanted to form the main source/drain regions. Then, metal is deposited and reacted to form a conductive silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jorge Adrian Kittl, Qi-Zhong Hong
  • Patent number: 6429455
    Abstract: A method to enhance the formation of nucleation sites on at least one narrow silicon structure comprises the step: forming at least one nucleation region (206/208): masking the at least one narrow silicon structure (202) with a mask (302); treating the at least one nucleation region (206/208) to enhance an ability of said region to form C54 nucleation sites; and removing the mask from the at least one narrow silicon structure (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vincent Maurice McNeil, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Publication number: 20020086485
    Abstract: A polysilicon layer of a gate structure is covered by a film that blocks introduction of implanted dopants into the polysilicon layer, while allowing implantation into the source and drain. The implant blocking film is removed before metal deposition for the salicide process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Jorge Adrian Kittl, Qi-Zhong Hong
  • Patent number: 6242333
    Abstract: A method to enhance the formation of nucleation sites on at least one narrow silicon structure comprises the steps: forming at least one nucleation region (206/208); masking the at least one narrow silicon structure (202) with a mask (302); treating the at least one nucleation region (206/208) to enhance an ability of said region to form C54 nucleation sites; and removing the mask from the at least one narrow silicon structure (202).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vincent Maurice McNeil, Jorge Adrian Kittl
  • Patent number: 6046105
    Abstract: Method of forming a salicide on a gate structure uses sidewall spacers which leave at least 30 percent of the gate sidewall exposed. After metal deposition, which has at least 50 percent step coverage, an anisotropic etch removes some or all of the metal on horizontal surfaces. Silicides formed from this metal layer are conformal, or even thicker on the sides of the gate than on horizontal structures. This achieves low sheet resistance on the gate, while remaining compatible with shallow junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jorge Adrian Kittl, Qi-Zhong Hong
  • Patent number: 6004871
    Abstract: A method of forming silicided narrow (i.e., sub-0.25 .mu.m) polysilicon lines. A layer of titanium is deposited over a semiconductor body having polysilicon lines formed thereon Either before or after the titanium deposition and before the react step, an implant is performed using a gas that will not poison the subsequent silicidation reaction. Exemplary gases include the noble element gases such as argon, krypton, xenon, and neon. The titanium is then reacted with the polysilicon lines to form titanium silicide. The gas implant causes the C49 grain size of the titanium silicide to be reduced, which makes the transformation to the C54 phase easier. Finally, an anneal is performed to transform the titanium silicide from the C49 phase to the C54 phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jorge Adrian Kittl, Keith A. Joyner, George R. Misium