Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Steigerwald

Joseph M. Steigerwald 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: 9892967
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhal-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Publication number: 20170358740
    Abstract: An embodiment integrates memory, such as spin-torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) within a logic chip. The STT-MRAM includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) that has an upper MTJ layer, a lower MTJ layer, and a tunnel barrier directly contacting the upper MTJ layer and the lower MTJ layer; wherein the upper MTJ layer includes an upper MTJ layer sidewall and the lower MTJ layer includes a lower MTJ sidewall horizontally offset from the upper MTJ layer. Another embodiment includes a memory area, comprising a MTJ, and a logic area located on a substrate; wherein a horizontal plane intersects the MTJ, a first Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) material adjacent the MTJ, and a second ILD material included in the logic area, the first and second ILD materials being unequal to one another. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lee, Tahir Ghani, Joseph M. Steigerwald, John H. Epple, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 9761713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Steigerwald, Tahir Ghani, Jenny Hu, Ian R. C. Post
  • Publication number: 20170213768
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for filling a high aspect ratio, narrow structure with multiple metal layers and associated configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transistor structure comprising a semiconductor material, a dielectric material having a recess defined over the transistor structure, the recess having a height in a first direction, an electrode terminal disposed in the recess and coupled with the transistor structure, wherein a first portion of the electrode terminal comprises a first metal in direct contact with the transistor structure and a second portion of the electrode terminal comprises a second metal disposed on the first portion and wherein an interface between the first portion and the second portion is planar and extends across the recess in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph M. STEIGERWALD, Nick LINDERT
  • Publication number: 20170148868
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for integrating capacitors among the metal interconnect for embedded DRAM applications. In some embodiments, the technique uses a wet etch to completely remove the interconnect metal (e.g., copper) that is exposed prior to the capacitor formation. This interconnect metal removal precludes that metal from contaminating the hi-k dielectric of the capacitor. Another benefit is increased height (surface area) of the capacitor, which allows for increased charge storage. In one example embodiment, an integrated circuit device is provided that includes a substrate having at least a portion of a DRAM bit cell circuitry, an interconnect layer on the substrate and including one or more metal-containing interconnect features, and a capacitor at least partly in the interconnect layer and occupying space from which a metal-containing interconnect feature was removed. The integrated circuit device can be, for example, a processor or a communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: NICK LINDERT, JOSEPH M. STEIGERWALD, KANWAL JIT SINGH
  • Patent number: 9660181
    Abstract: An embodiment integrates memory, such as spin-torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) within a logic chip. The STT-MRAM includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) that has an upper MTJ layer, a lower MTJ layer, and a tunnel barrier directly contacting the upper MTJ layer and the lower MTJ layer; wherein the upper MTJ layer includes an upper MTJ layer sidewall and the lower MTJ layer includes a lower MTJ sidewall horizontally offset from the upper MTJ layer. Another embodiment includes a memory area, comprising a MTJ, and a logic area located on a substrate; wherein a horizontal plane intersects the MTJ, a first Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) material adjacent the MTJ, and a second ILD material included in the logic area, the first and second ILD materials being unequal to one another. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lee, Tahir Ghani, Joseph M. Steigerwald, John H. Epple, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20170092542
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph M. Steigerwald, Tahir Ghani, Jenny Hu, Ian R. C. Post
  • Publication number: 20170040218
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhal-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Patent number: 9565766
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for integrating capacitors among the metal interconnect for embedded DRAM applications. In some embodiments, the technique uses a wet etch to completely remove the interconnect metal (e.g., copper) that is exposed prior to the capacitor formation. This interconnect metal removal precludes that metal from contaminating the hi-k dielectric of the capacitor. Another benefit is increased height (surface area) of the capacitor, which allows for increased charge storage. In one example embodiment, an integrated circuit device is provided that includes a substrate having at least a portion of a DRAM bit cell circuitry, an interconnect layer on the substrate and including one or more metal-containing interconnect features, and a capacitor at least partly in the interconnect layer and occupying space from which a metal-containing interconnect feature was removed. The integrated circuit device can be, for example, a processor or a communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nick Lindert, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Kanwal Jit Singh
  • Patent number: 9508821
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhal-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Patent number: 9466565
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhai-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Publication number: 20160155815
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Mark T. BOHR, Tahir GHANI, Nadia M. RAHHAL-ORABI, Subhash M. JOSHI, Joseph M. STEIGERWALD, Jason W. KLAUS, Jack HWANG, Ryan MACKIEWICZ
  • Publication number: 20160155843
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph M. Steigerwald, Tahir Ghani, Jenny Hu, Ian R. C. Post
  • Patent number: 9219155
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Steigerwald, Tahir Ghani, Jenny Hu, Ian R. C. Post
  • Publication number: 20150270216
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhai-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Patent number: 9093513
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhal-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Publication number: 20150171218
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe multi-threshold voltage devices and associated techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, a channel body disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode having a first thickness coupled with the channel body and a second gate electrode having a second thickness coupled with the channel body, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph M. Steigerwald, Tahir Ghani, Jenny Hu, Ian R. C. Post
  • Patent number: 9054178
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a substrate, a pair of spacers on the substrate, a gate dielectric layer on the substrate and between the pair of spacers, a gate electrode layer on the gate dielectric layer and between the pair of spacers, an insulating cap layer on the gate electrode layer and between the pair of spacers, and a pair of diffusion regions adjacent to the pair of spacers. The insulating cap layer forms an etch stop structure that is self aligned to the gate and prevents the contact etch from exposing the gate electrode, thereby preventing a short between the gate and contact. The insulator-cap layer enables self-aligned contacts, allowing initial patterning of wider contacts that are more robust to patterning limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Tahir Ghani, Nadia M. Rahhai-Orabi, Subhash M. Joshi, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Jason W. Klaus, Jack Hwang, Ryan Mackiewicz
  • Patent number: 9041146
    Abstract: An embodiment integrates memory, such as spin-torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) within a logic chip. The STT-MRAM includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with an upper MTJ layer, lower MTJ layer, and tunnel barrier directly contacting the upper MTJ layer and the lower MTJ layer; wherein the upper MTJ layer includes an upper MTJ layer sidewall and the lower MTJ layer includes a lower MTJ sidewall horizontally offset from the upper MTJ layer. Another embodiment includes a memory area, comprising a MTJ, and a logic area located on a substrate; wherein a horizontal plane intersects the MTJ, a first Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) material adjacent the MTJ, and a second ILD material included in the logic area, the first and second ILD materials being unequal to one another. In an embodiment the first and second ILDs directly contact one another. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lee, Tahir Ghani, Joseph M. Steigerwald, John H. Epple, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20140264679
    Abstract: An embodiment integrates memory, such as spin-torque transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) within a logic chip. The STT-MRAM includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) with an upper MTJ layer, lower MTJ layer, and tunnel barrier directly contacting the upper MTJ layer and the lower MTJ layer; wherein the upper MTJ layer includes an upper MTJ layer sidewall and the lower MTJ layer includes a lower MTJ sidewall horizontally offset from the upper MTJ layer. Another embodiment includes a memory area, comprising a MTJ, and a logic area located on a substrate; wherein a horizontal plane intersects the MTJ, a first Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) material adjacent the MTJ, and a second ILD material included in the logic area, the first and second ILD materials being unequal to one another. In an embodiment the first and second ILDs directly contact one another. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lee, Tahir Ghani, Joseph M. Steigerwald, John H. Epple, Yih Wang