Patents by Inventor Julien Ryckaert

Julien Ryckaert 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: 20230386928
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a stacked transistor device comprising a lower NSHFET structure and an upper FinFET structure including: forming a fin structure comprising: a lower device sub-stack comprising a number of lower channel nanosheets, a middle insulating layer, an upper device sub-stack comprising an upper channel layer, and a capping layer; forming a process layer embedding the fin structure; subsequent to forming the process layer, removing the capping layer from the fin structure to define a gap exposing the upper device sub-stack; forming spacer layers on opposite side surfaces of the gap to form a reduced-width gap; splitting the upper channel layer by etching back an upper surface thereof via the reduced-width gap to form two upper channel fins; subsequent to forming the upper channel fins, removing the spacer layers; and thereafter: forming a gate structure; and forming source and drain regions for the lower channel nanosheets and the upper channel fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Naoto Horiguchi, Julien Ryckaert
  • Publication number: 20230361205
    Abstract: A standard cell semiconductor device is provided that includes a first and second FET device, each including: (i) a source body and a drain body, each including a common source or drain body portion and a set of source or drain prongs protruding from the common source or drain body portion, (ii) a set of channel layers, each channel layer extending between a pair of source and drain prongs, and (iii) a gate body comprising a common gate body portion and a set of gate prongs protruding from the common gate body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Bilal Chehab, Julien Ryckaert
  • Publication number: 20230206996
    Abstract: A multiport memory cell for register files is disclosed. Vertically stacked top and bottom tier of the memory cell are electrically interconnected through a pair of vias and comprise each an active device layer and a metal layer stack. The memory cell is partitioned to have a latching circuit and at least one write port located in the bottom tier and at least two read ports in the top tier. A word line trace for controlling the at least one write port is formed in the bottom tier metal layer stack and comprises two terminal sections and one intermediate section oriented perpendicularly to the terminal sections. The intermediate section is arranged between the pair of vias in a height direction of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Shairfe Muhammad Salahuddin, Julien Ryckaert
  • Publication number: 20230197514
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a metallization process for an integrated circuit. One example metallization process includes a method for forming an integrated circuit that includes providing a semiconductor structure having two transistor structures, a gate structure, electrically conductive contacts, a first electrically conductive line, a first electrically conductive via, a second electrically conductive via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Victor Hugo Vega Gonzalez, Bilal Chehab, Julien Ryckaert, Zsolt Tokei, Serge Biesemans, Naoto Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20230197522
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a device layer stack on a substrate, the device layer stack having a first sub-stack comprising a first sacrificial layer and on the first sacrificial layer a channel layer defining a topmost layer of the first sub-stack, and a second sub-stack on the first sub-stack and including a first sacrificial layer defining a bottom layer of the second sub-stack, and a second sacrificial layer on the first sacrificial layer, wherein said first sacrificial layers are formed of a first sacrificial semiconductor material, the second sacrificial layer is formed of a second sacrificial semiconductor material, and the channel layer is formed of a semiconductor channel material, and wherein a thickness of the second sub-stack exceeds a thickness of the first sacrificial layer of the first sub-stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Anne Vandooren, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 11677401
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided 3D IC, comprising: a plurality of logic cells stacked on top of each other, each logic cell forming part of one of a plurality of vertically stacked device tiers of the 3D IC, and each logic cell comprising a network of logic gates, each logic gate comprising a network of horizontal channel transistors, wherein a layout of the network of logic gates of each logic cell is identical among said logic cells such that each logic gate of any one of said logic cells has a corresponding logic gate in each other one of said logic cells, and wherein each logic cell comprises: a single active layer forming an active semiconductor pattern of the transistors of the logic gates of the logic cell, and a single layer of horizontally extending conductive lines comprising gate lines defining transistor gates of the transistors, and wiring lines forming interconnections in the network of transistors and in the network of logic gates of said logic cell
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Francky Catthoor, Edouard Giacomin, Juergen Boemmels, Julien Ryckaert
  • Publication number: 20230178629
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a FET device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Geert Hellings, Bilal Chehab, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20230178640
    Abstract: A FET device (100) is provided, the FET device including a substrate (102), a source body (120), a drain body (130) and a set of vertically spaced apart channel layers (150) extending between the source and drain body in a first direction along the substrate (102), the source body (120) comprising a common source body portion (122) arranged at a first lateral side of the set of channel layers (150) and a set of vertically spaced apart source prongs (124) protruding from the common source body portion (122) in a second direction along the substrate (102), transverse to the first direction, the drain body (130) comprising a common source body portion (132) arranged at the first lateral side of the set of channel layers (150) and a set of drain prongs (134) protruding from the common drain body portion (132) in the second direction; and a gate body (140) comprising a common gate body portion (142) arranged at a second lateral side of the channel layer (150), opposite the first lateral side, and a set of gate pro
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Aryan Afzalian, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20230178554
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to complementary field-effect transistor (CFET) devices. An example CFET device includes a bottom FET device. The bottom FET device includes a bottom channel nanostructure having a first side surface oriented in a first direction. The bottom FET device also includes a second side surface oriented in a second direction opposite the first direction. Further, the bottom FET device includes a bottom gate electrode configured to define a tri-gate or a gate-all-around with respect to the bottom channel nanostructure. The bottom gate electrode includes a side gate portion arranged along the first side surface of the bottom channel nanostructure. The CFET device also includes a top FET device stacked on the bottom FET device. The top FET device includes channel layers, a gate electrode, and gate prongs. Additionally, the CFET device includes a top gate contact via. Further, the CFET device includes a bottom gate contact via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Bilal Chehab, Pieter Schuddinck, Julien Ryckaert, Pieter Weckx
  • Publication number: 20230178635
    Abstract: A method for forming a FET device is provided, the method including: forming a fin structure; while masking the fin structure from a second side of the fin structure opposite a first side of the fin structure: etching each of first and second fin parts laterally from the first side such that a set of source cavities and a set of drain cavities is formed in first non-channel layers in the first fin part and the second fin part, and subsequently, forming a source body and a drain body, each comprising a respective common body portion along the first side and a set of prongs protruding from the respective common body portion into the source and drain cavities, respectively, and abutting the channel layers; and while masking the fin structure from the first side: etching the third fin part laterally from the second side such that a set of gate cavities extending through the third fin part is formed in second non-channel layers, and subsequently, forming a gate body comprising a common gate body portion along the
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Aryan Afzalian, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi, Boon Teik Chan
  • Publication number: 20230178630
    Abstract: A method for forming a FET device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Naoto Horiguchi, Julien Ryckaert
  • Patent number: 11515399
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a semiconductor device can comprise forming a first transistor structure and a second transistor structure separated by a first trench which comprises a first dielectric wall protruding above a top surface of the transistor structures. The first and the second transistor structures each can comprise a plurality of stacked nanosheets forming a channel structure, and a source portion and a drain portion horizontally separated by the channel structure. The method further can comprise depositing a contact material over the transistor structures and the first dielectric wall, thereby filling the first trench and contacting a first source/drain portion of the first transistor structure and a first source/drain portion of the second transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Eugenio Dentoni Litta, Juergen Boemmels, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi, Pieter Weckx
  • Patent number: 11462443
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of forming a semiconductor device, can comprise forming a first transistor structure and a second transistor structure separated by a trench. The first and the second transistor structures can comprise a plurality of stacked nanosheets forming a channel structure, and a source portion and a drain portion horizontally separated by the channel structure. A first and a second spacer can beformed in the trench at sidewalls of the transistor structures, both protruding above a top surface of the transistor structures. The method can comprise applying a first mask layer including an opening exposing the first spacer at a first source/drain portion of the first transistor structure and covering the second spacer, partially etching the exposed first spacer through the opening, exposing at least parts of a sidewall of the first source/drain portion of the first transistor structure, and removing the mask layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Eugenio Dentoni Litta, Juergen Boemmels, Julien Ryckaert, Naoto Horiguchi, Pieter Weckx
  • Publication number: 20220271755
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided 3D IC, comprising: a plurality of logic cells stacked on top of each other, each logic cell forming part of one of a plurality of vertically stacked device tiers of the 3D IC, and each logic cell comprising a network of logic gates, each logic gate comprising a network of horizontal channel transistors, wherein a layout of the network of logic gates of each logic cell is identical among said logic cells such that each logic gate of any one of said logic cells has a corresponding logic gate in each other one of said logic cells, and wherein each logic cell comprises: a single active layer forming an active semiconductor pattern of the transistors of the logic gates of the logic cell, and a single layer of horizontally extending conductive lines comprising gate lines defining transistor gates of the transistors, and wiring lines forming interconnections in the network of transistors and in the network of logic gates of said logic cell
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Francky CATTHOOR, Edouard GIACOMIN, Juergen BOEMMELS, Julien RYCKAERT
  • Patent number: 11381242
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided 3D IC, comprising: a plurality of logic cells stacked on top of each other, each logic cell forming part of one of a plurality of vertically stacked device tiers of the 3D IC, and each logic cell comprising a network of logic gates, each logic gate comprising a network of horizontal channel transistors, wherein a layout of the network of logic gates of each logic cell is identical among said logic cells such that each logic gate of any one of said logic cells has a corresponding logic gate in each other one of said logic cells, and wherein each logic cell comprises: a single active layer forming an active semiconductor pattern of the transistors of the logic gates of the logic cell, and a single layer of horizontally extending conductive lines comprising gate lines defining transistor gates of the transistors, and wiring lines forming interconnections in the network of transistors and in the network of logic gates of said logic cell
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Francky Catthoor, Edouard Giacomin, Juergen Boemmels, Julien Ryckaert
  • Publication number: 20220199809
    Abstract: According to an aspect there is provided a FET device. The FET device comprises a common source body portion and a set of source layer prongs protruding therefrom in a first lateral direction. First dielectric layer portions are arranged in spaces between the source layer prongs. The device further comprises a common drain body portion and a set of drain layer prongs protruding in the first lateral direction. Second dielectric layer portions are arranged in spaces between the drain layer prongs. The device further comprises a gate body comprising a common gate body portion and a set of gate prongs protruding therefrom in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction. Each gate prong is formed intermediate a respective pair of first and second dielectric layer portions. The device further comprises a channel region comprising a set of channel layer portions. Each channel layer portion extends between a respective pair of source and drain layer prongs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Julien RYCKAERT, Naoto HORIGUCHI, Boon Teik CHAN
  • Patent number: 11342261
    Abstract: Integrated circuit comprising an interconnection system comprising at least one multilevel layer comprising first parallel electrically conductive lines, the multilevel layer comprising at least three levels forming a centerline level, an upper extension line level, and a lower extension line level the levels providing multilevel routing tracks in which the lines extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Stefan Cosemans, Julien Ryckaert, Zsolt Tokei
  • Patent number: 11335597
    Abstract: A method for forming a buried metal line in a substrate includes forming, at a position between a pair of semiconductor structures protruding from the substrate, a metal line trench in the substrate at a level below a base of each semiconductor structure of the pair. Forming the metal line trench includes etching an upper trench portion in the substrate, forming a spacer on sidewall surfaces of the upper trench portion that expose a bottom surface of the upper trench portion, and, while the spacer masks the sidewall surfaces, etching a lower trench portion by etching the substrate via the upper trench portion such that a width of the lower trench portion exceeds a width of the upper trench portion. The method further includes forming the metal line in the metal line trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Eugenio Dentoni Litta, Anshul Gupta, Julien Ryckaert, Boon Teik Chan
  • Publication number: 20220109447
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided 3D IC, comprising: a plurality of logic cells stacked on top of each other, each logic cell forming part of one of a plurality of vertically stacked device tiers of the 3D IC, and each logic cell comprising a network of logic gates, each logic gate comprising a network of horizontal channel transistors, wherein a layout of the network of logic gates of each logic cell is identical among said logic cells such that each logic gate of any one of said logic cells has a corresponding logic gate in each other one of said logic cells, and wherein each logic cell comprises: a single active layer forming an active semiconductor pattern of the transistors of the logic gates of the logic cell, and a single layer of horizontally extending conductive lines comprising gate lines defining transistor gates of the transistors, and wiring lines forming interconnections in the network of transistors and in the network of logic gates of said logic cell
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Francky CATTHOOR, Edouard GIACOMIN, Juergen BOEMMELS, Julien RYCKAERT
  • Patent number: 11295977
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for a standard cell semiconductor device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes forming metal lines along respective routing tracks, wherein forming the metal lines includes depositing, on a first dielectric layer covering the active regions of the cell, a metal layer and a capping layer on the metal layer; patterning the capping layer and the metal layer to form first and second capped off-center metal lines extending along first and second off-center tracks, respectively; forming spacer lines on sidewalls of the capped off-center metal lines; and embedding the spacer-provided capped off-center metal lines in a second dielectric layer. The method further includes patterning a set of trenches in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Juergen Boemmels, Julien Ryckaert