Patents by Inventor Karen Billington

Karen Billington 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: 7968436
    Abstract: Copper diffusion barrier films having low dielectric constants are suitable for a variety of copper/inter-metal dielectric integration schemes. Copper diffusion barrier films in accordance with the invention are composed of one or more layers of silicon carbide, at least one of the silicon carbide layers having a composition of at least 40% carbon (C), for example, between about 45 and 60% carbon (C). The films' high carbon-content layer will have a composition wherein the ratio of C to Si is greater than 2:1; or >3:1; or >4:1; or >5.1. The high carbon-content copper diffusion barrier films have a reduced effective k relative to conventional barrier materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Xingyuan Tang, Haiying Fu, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Patent number: 7842604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film composed, at least in part, of boron-doped silicon carbide suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. The copper diffusion barrier maintains a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Atul Gupta, Karen Billington, Michael Carris, William Crew, Thomas W. Mountsier
  • Patent number: 7573061
    Abstract: Copper diffusion barrier films having low dielectric constants are suitable for a variety of copper/inter-metal dielectric integration schemes. Copper diffusion barrier films in accordance with the invention are composed of one or more layers of silicon carbide, at least one of the silicon carbide layers having a composition of at least 40% carbon (C), for example, between about 45 and 60% carbon (C). The films' high carbon-content layer will have a composition wherein the ratio of C to Si is greater than 2:1; or >3:1; or >4:1; or >5.1. The high carbon-content copper diffusion barrier films have a reduced effective k relative to conventional barrier materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Xingyuan Tang, Haiying Fu, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Patent number: 7420275
    Abstract: Copper diffusion barrier films having a boron-doped silicon carbide layer with at least 25% boron by atomic weight of the layer composition have advantages for semiconductor device integration schemes. The films have an integration worthy etch selectivity to carbon doped oxide of at least 10 to 1, can adhere to copper with an adhesion energy of at least 20 J/m2, and can maintain an effective dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture. The films are suitable for use in a wide range of VLSI and ULSI structures and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Atul Gupta, Karen Billington, Michael Carris, William Crew, Thomas W. Mountsier
  • Patent number: 7282438
    Abstract: Copper diffusion barrier films having low dielectric constants are suitable for a variety of copper/inter-metal dielectric integration schemes. Copper diffusion barrier films in accordance with the invention are composed of one or more layers of silicon carbide, at least one of the silicon carbide layers having a composition of at least 40% carbon (C), for example, between about 45 and 60% carbon (C). The films' high carbon-content layer will have a composition wherein the ratio of C to Si is greater than 2:1; or >3:1; or >4:1; or >5.1. The high carbon-content copper diffusion barrier films have a reduced effective k relative to conventional barrier materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Xingyuan Tang, Haiying Fu, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Patent number: 7239017
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film composed, at least in part, of boron-doped silicon carbide suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. The copper diffusion barrier maintains a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Atul Gupta, Karen Billington, Michael Carris, William Crew, Thomas W. Mountsier
  • Patent number: 7163889
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. Some embodiments of the film are formed of a silicon-based material doped with boron. Other embodiments are formed, at least in part, of boron nitride. Some such embodiments include a moisture barrier film that includes oxygen and/or carbon. Preferred embodiments of the copper diffusion barrier maintain a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Robert Hepburn, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Publication number: 20060019486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. Some embodiments of the film are formed of a silicon-based material doped with boron. Other embodiments are formed, at least in part, of boron nitride. Some such embodiments include a moisture barrier film that includes oxygen and/or carbon. Preferred embodiments of the copper diffusion barrier maintain a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Robert Hepburn, Michael Carris, William Crew
  • Patent number: 6967405
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low dielectric constant copper diffusion barrier film suitable for use in a semiconductor device and methods for fabricating such a film. Some embodiments of the film are formed of a silicon-based material doped with boron. Other embodiments are formed, at least in part, of boron nitride. Some such embodiments include a moisture barrier film that includes oxygen and/or carbon. Preferred embodiments of the copper diffusion barrier maintain a stable dielectric constant of less than 4.5 in the presence of atmospheric moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: Yongsik Yu, Karen Billington, Robert Hepburn, Michael Carris, William Crew