Patents by Inventor Katherine L. Saenger

Katherine L. Saenger 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: 8486776
    Abstract: Strained Si and strained SiGe on insulator devices, methods of manufacture and design structures is provided. The method includes growing an SiGe layer on a silicon on insulator wafer. The method further includes patterning the SiGe layer into PFET and NFET regions such that a strain in the SiGe layer in the PFET and NFET regions is relaxed. The method further includes amorphizing by ion implantation at least a portion of an Si layer directly underneath the SiGe layer. The method further includes performing a thermal anneal to recrystallize the Si layer such that a lattice constant is matched to that of the relaxed SiGe, thereby creating a tensile strain on the NFET region. The method further includes removing the SiGe layer from the NFET region. The method further includes performing a Ge process to convert the Si layer in the PFET region into compressively strained SiGe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Pranita Kulkarni, Katherine L. Saenger
  • Publication number: 20130126493
    Abstract: Laser ablation can be used to form a trench within at least a blanket layer of a stressor layer that is atop a base substrate. A non-ablated portion of the stressor layer has an edge that defines the edge of the material layer region to be spalled. Laser ablation can also be used to form a trench within a blanket material stack including at least a plating seed layer. A stressor layer is formed on the non-ablated portions of the material stack and one portion of the stressor layer has an edge that defines the edge of the material layer region to be spalled. Laser ablation can be further used to form a trench that extends through a blanket stressor layer and into the base substrate itself. The trench has an edge that defines the edge of the material layer region to be spalled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Cheng-Wei Cheng, Keith E. Fogel, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Ning Li, Ibrahim Alhomoudi
  • Patent number: 8441042
    Abstract: This invention provides structures and a fabrication process for incorporating thin film transistors in back end of the line (BEOL) interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes described are compatible with processing requirements for the BEOL interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes utilize existing processing steps and materials already incorporated in interconnect wiring levels in order to reduce added cost associated with incorporating thin film transistors in the these levels. The structures enable vertical (3D) integration of multiple levels with improved manufacturability and reliability as compared to prior art methods of 3D integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christy S. Tyberg, Katherine L. Saenger, Jack O. Chu, Harold J. Hovel, Robert L. Wisnieff, Kerry Bernstein, Stephen W. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20130015455
    Abstract: A germanium-containing layer is deposited on a single crystalline bulk silicon substrate in an ambient including a level of oxygen partial pressure sufficient to incorporate 1%-50% of oxygen in atomic concentration. The thickness of the germanium-containing layer is preferably limited to maintain some degree of epitaxial alignment with the underlying silicon substrate. Optionally, a graded germanium-containing layer can be grown on, or replace, the germanium-containing layer. An at least partially crystalline silicon layer is subsequently deposited on the germanium-containing layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the at least partially crystalline silicon layer. The assembly of the bulk silicon substrate, the germanium-containing layer, the at least partially crystalline silicon layer, and the handle substrate is cleaved within the germanium-containing layer to provide a composite substrate including the handle substrate and the at least partially crystalline silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Keith E. Fogel, Daniel A. Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Davendra k. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger
  • Publication number: 20130000707
    Abstract: A method for fabrication of a multijunction photovoltaic (PV) cell includes forming a stack comprising a plurality of junctions on a substrate, each of the plurality of junctions having a respective bandgap, wherein the plurality of junctions are ordered from the junction having the largest bandgap being located on the substrate to the junction having the smallest bandgap being located on top of the stack; forming a metal layer, the metal layer having a tensile stress, on top of the junction having the smallest bandgap; adhering a flexible substrate to the metal layer; and spalling a semiconductor layer from the substrate at a fracture in the substrate, wherein the fracture is formed in response to the tensile stress in the metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Norma Sosa Cortes, Keith E. Fogel, Devendra Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Publication number: 20120326126
    Abstract: Transistor devices having nanoscale material-based channels (e.g., carbon nanotube or graphene channels) and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a transistor device is provided. The transistor device includes a substrate; an insulator on the substrate; a local bottom gate embedded in the insulator, wherein a top surface of the gate is substantially coplanar with a surface of the insulator; a local gate dielectric on the bottom gate; a carbon-based nanostructure material over at least a portion of the local gate dielectric, wherein a portion of the carbon-based nanostructure material serves as a channel of the device; and conductive source and drain contacts to one or more portions of the carbon-based nanostructure material on opposing sides of the channel that serve as source and drain regions of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhihong Chen, Aaron Daniel Franklin, Shu-Jen Han, James Bowler Hannon, Katherine L. Saenger, George Stojan Tulevski
  • Publication number: 20120309269
    Abstract: Method to (i) introduce additional control into a material spalling process, thus improving both the crack initiation and propagation, and (ii) increase the range of selectable spalling depths are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a stressor layer on a surface of a base substrate at a first temperature which is room temperature. Next, the base substrate including the stressor layer is brought to a second temperature which is less than room temperature. The base substrate is spalled at the second temperature to form a spalled material layer. Thereafter, the spalled material layer is returned to room temperature, i.e., the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicants: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maha M. Khayyat, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Katherine L. Saenger, Stephen W. Bedell, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20120305929
    Abstract: This invention provides structures and a fabrication process for incorporating thin film transistors in back end of the line (BEOL) interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes described are compatible with processing requirements for the BEOL interconnect structures. The structures and fabrication processes utilize existing processing steps and materials already incorporated in interconnect wiring levels in order to reduce added cost associated with incorporating thin film transistors in the these levels. The structures enable vertical (3D) integration of multiple levels with improved manufacturability and reliability as compared to prior art methods of 3D integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christy S. Tyberg, Katherine L. Saenger, Jack O. Chu, Harold J. Hovel, Robert L. Wisnieff, Kerry Bernstein, Stephen W. Bedell
  • Publication number: 20120299067
    Abstract: An integrated circuit fabrication apparatus is configured to fabricate an integrated circuit with at least one p-FinFET device and at least one n-FinFET device. A bonding control processor is configured to bond a first silicon layer having a first crystalline orientation to a second silicon layer having a second crystalline orientation that is different from the first crystalline orientation. A material growth processor is configured to form a volume of material extending through the first silicon layer from the second layer up to the surface of first layer. The material has a crystalline orientation that substantially matches the crystalline orientation of second layer. An etching processor is configured to selectively etch areas of the surface of the first layer that are outside of the region to create a first plurality of fins and areas inside the region to create a second plurality of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. COHEN, Katherine L. SAENGER
  • Publication number: 20120295426
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit with at least one p-FinFET device and at least one n-FinFET device. The method includes bonding a first silicon layer having a first crystalline orientation to a second silicon layer having a second crystalline orientation that is different from the first crystalline orientation. A first plurality of fins and a second plurality of fins are created. A spacer is formed around each fin in the first plurality of fins and second plurality of fins. A set of regions of the second layer between each fin in the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins are recessed to form a base with exposed sidewalls under each fin in the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins. The base under each fin and a set of exposed regions between each fin is oxidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy M. COHEN, Katherine L. SAENGER
  • Publication number: 20120285518
    Abstract: A solar cell having n-type and p-type interdigitated back contacts (IBCs), which cover the entire back surface of the absorber layer. The spatial separation of the IBCs is in a direction perpendicular to the back surface, thus providing borderless contacts having a zero-footprint separation. As the contacts are on the back, photons incident on the cell's front surface can be absorbed without any shadowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. De Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Christian Lavoie, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Davood Shahrjerdi, Zhen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120285517
    Abstract: A Schottky Barrier solar cell having at least one of a low work function region and a high work function region provided on the front or back surface of a lightly-doped absorber material, which may be produced in a variety of different geometries. The method of producing the Schottky Barrier solar cells allows for short processing times and the use of low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, Harold John Hovel, Daniel Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Christian Lavoie, Conal Eugene Murray, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Ghavam Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi, Zhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8298923
    Abstract: A germanium-containing layer is deposited on a single crystalline bulk silicon substrate in an ambient including a level of oxygen partial pressure sufficient to incorporate 1%-50% of oxygen in atomic concentration. The thickness of the germanium-containing layer is preferably limited to maintain some degree of epitaxial alignment with the underlying silicon substrate. Optionally, a graded germanium-containing layer can be grown on, or replace, the germanium-containing layer. An at least partially crystalline silicon layer is subsequently deposited on the germanium-containing layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the at least partially crystalline silicon layer. The assembly of the bulk silicon substrate, the germanium-containing layer, the at least partially crystalline silicon layer, and the handle substrate is cleaved within the germanium-containing layer to provide a composite substrate including the handle substrate and the at least partially crystalline silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machinces Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Keith E. Fogel, Daniel A. Inns, Jeehwan Kim, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger
  • Patent number: 8288237
    Abstract: A compound metal comprising TiC which is a p-type metal having a workfunction of about 4.75 to about 5.3, preferably about 5, eV that is thermally stable on a gate stack comprising a high k dielectric and an interfacial layer is provided as well as a method of fabricating the TiC compound metal. Furthermore, the TiC metal compound of the present invention is a very efficient oxygen diffusion barrier at 1000° C. allowing very aggressive equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and inversion layer thickness scaling below 14 ? in a p-metal oxide semiconductor (pMOS) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro C. Callegari, Michael A. Gribelyuk, Dianne L. Lacey, Fenton R. Feeney, Katherine L. Saenger, Sufi Zafar
  • Publication number: 20120216158
    Abstract: Strained Si and strained SiGe on insulator devices, methods of manufacture and design structures is provided. The method includes growing an SiGe layer on a silicon on insulator wafer. The method further includes patterning the SiGe layer into PFET and NFET regions such that a strain in the SiGe layer in the PFET and NFET regions is relaxed. The method further includes amorphizing by ion implantation at least a portion of an Si layer directly underneath the SiGe layer. The method further includes performing a thermal anneal to recrystallize the Si layer such that a lattice constant is matched to that of the relaxed SiGe, thereby creating a tensile strain on the NFET region. The method further includes removing the SiGe layer from the NFET region. The method further includes performing a Ge process to convert the Si layer in the PFET region into compressively strained SiGe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen W. BEDELL, Kangguo CHENG, Bruce B. DORIS, Ali KHAKIFIROOZ, Pranita KULKARNI, Katherine L. SAENGER
  • Patent number: 8241970
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is fabricated with at least one p-FinFET device and at least one n-FinFET device situated parallel to each other. A first silicon layer having a first crystalline orientation is bonded to a second silicon layer having a second crystalline orientation. The first and second orientations are different from each other. A volume of material is formed that extends through the first layer from the second layer up to the surface of the first layer. The material has a crystalline orientation that substantially matches the orientation of the second layer. Areas of the surface of the first layer that are outside of the region are selectively etched to create a first plurality of fins and areas inside the region to create a second plurality of fins. The etching leaves the first and second pluralities of fins parallel to each other with different surface crystal orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Cohen, Katherine L. Saenger
  • Patent number: 8236636
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved amorphization/templated recrystallization (ATR) method for forming hybrid orientation substrates and semiconductor device structures. A direct-silicon-bonded (DSB) silicon layer having a (011) surface crystal orientation is bonded to a base silicon substrate having a (001) surface crystal orientation to form a DSB wafer in which the in-plane <110> direction of the (011) DSB layer is aligned with an in-plane <110> direction of the (001) base substrate. Selected regions of the DSB layer are amorphized down to the base substrate to form amorphized regions aligned with the mutually orthogonal in-plane <100> directions of the (001) base substrate, followed by recrystallization using the base substrate as a template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Haizhou Yin, John A. Ott, Katherine L. Saenger, Chun-Yung Sung
  • Publication number: 20120156861
    Abstract: Methods for removing or reducing the thickness of a material layer remaining at Si-Si interfaces after silicon wafer bonding. The methods include an anneal which is performed at a temperature sufficient to dissolve oxide, yet not melt silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, John A. Ott, Alexander Reznicek, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger
  • Publication number: 20120118383
    Abstract: An autonomous integrated circuit (IC) includes a solar cell formed on a bottom substrate of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate as a handle substrate; an insulating layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the solar cell; and a device layer formed on a top semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the insulating layer, wherein a top contact of the device layer is electrically connected to a bottom contact of the solar cell such that the solar cell is enabled to power the device layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Wilfried E. Haensch, Steven J. Koester, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Ghavam Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Publication number: 20120112198
    Abstract: remove impurities from an exposed surface in the ultrahigh vacuum environment. A high qualify single crystalline or polycrystalline silicon carbide film can be grown directly on the sapphire substrate by chemical vapor deposition employing a silicon-containing reactant and a carbon-containing reactant. Formation of single crystalline silicon carbide has been verified by x-ray diffraction, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack O. Chu, Christos D. Dimitrakopoulos, Alfred Grill, Timothy J. McArdle, Katherine L. Saenger, Robert L. Wisnieff, Yu Zhu