Patents by Inventor Keith E. Downes

Keith E. Downes 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: 9171778
    Abstract: A method and a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a partial via etched in a stacked structure and a trough above the partial via. The method includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while etching the partial via to an etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8753950
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140151899
    Abstract: A method and a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a partial via etched in a stacked structure and a trough above the partial via. The method includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while etching the partial via to an etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Keith E. DOWNES, Peter J. LINDGREN, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Patent number: 8435864
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MIM capacitor is provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Zhong-Xiang He, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8236663
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Peter J Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20120190164
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Keith E. DOWNES, Peter J. LINDGREN, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Patent number: 8227849
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved capacitor that reduces edge defects and prevents yield failures. A first embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer adjacent an interface of a conductive layer with the insulator, while the second embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer on an insulator which is on a conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ebenezer E Eshun, Ronald J Bolam, Douglas D Coolbaugh, Keith E Downes, Natalie B Feilchenfeld, Zhong-Xiang He
  • Publication number: 20120184081
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MIM capacitor is provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anil K. CHINTHAKINDI, Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Keith E. DOWNES, Ebenezer E. ESHUN, Zhong-Xiang HE, Robert M. RASSEL, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Patent number: 8207568
    Abstract: Method of fabricating a MIM capacitor and MIM capacitor. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Zhong-Xiang He, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20110108919
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a buried resistor with improved control, in which the resistor is fabricated in a region of a semiconductor substrate beneath a well region that is also present in the substrate. In accordance with the present invention, the inventive structure includes a semiconductor substrate containing at least a well region; and a buried resistor located in a region of the semiconductor substrate that is beneath said well region. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a structure in which a deep ion implantation process is used to form the buried resistor and a shallower ion implantation process is used in forming the well region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Ebenezer E. Eshun, John E. Florkey, Heidi L. Greer, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper, Kunal Vaed
  • Patent number: 7910450
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a buried resistor with improved control, in which the resistor is fabricated in a region of a semiconductor substrate beneath a well region that is also present in the substrate. In accordance with the present invention, the inventive structure includes a semiconductor substrate containing at least a well region; and a buried resistor located in a region of the semiconductor substrate that is beneath said well region. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a structure in which a deep ion implantation process is used to form the buried resistor and a shallower ion implantation process is used in forming the well region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Ebenezer E. Eshun, John E. Florkey, Heidi L. Greer, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper, Kunal Vaed
  • Patent number: 7879716
    Abstract: A method and structure for reducing the corrosion of the copper seed layer during the fabrication process of a semiconductor structure. Before the structure (or the wafer containing the structure) exits the vacuum environment of the sputter tool, the structure is warmed up to a temperature above the water condensation temperature of the environment outside the sputter tool. As a result, water vapor would not condense on the structure when the structure exits the sputter tool, and therefore, corrosion of the seed layer by the water vapor is prevented. Alternatively, a protective layer resistant to water vapor can be formed on top of the seed layer before the structure exits the sputter tool environment. In yet another alternative embodiment, the seed layer can comprises a copper alloy (such as with aluminum) which grows a protective layer resistant to water vapor upon exposure to water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Barkyoumb, Jonathan D. Chapple-Sokol, Edward C. Cooney, III, Keith E. Downes, Thomas L. McDevitt, William J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100149723
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved capacitor that reduces edge defects and prevents yield failures. A first embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer adjacent an interface of a conductive layer with the insulator, while the second embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer on an insulator which is on a conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: EBENEZER E. ESHUN, RONALD J. BOLAM, DOUGLAS D. COOLBAUGH, KEITH E. DOWNES, NATALIE B. FEILCHENFELD, ZHONG-XIANG HE
  • Patent number: 7728372
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved capacitor that reduces edge defects and prevents yield failures. A first embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer adjacent an interface of a conductive layer with the insulator, while the second embodiment of the invention comprises a protective layer on an insulator which is on a conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ebenezer E. Eshun, Ronald J. Bolam, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Natalie B. Feilchenfeld, Zhong-Xiang He
  • Publication number: 20100009509
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 7602068
    Abstract: A method and semiconductor device. In the method, at least one partial via is etched in a stacked structure and a border is formed about the at least one partial via. The method further includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while continuing via etching to at least one etch stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: International Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 7235487
    Abstract: A method and structure for reducing the corrosion of the copper seed layer during the fabrication process of a semiconductor structure. Before the structure (or the wafer containing the structure) exits the vacuum environment of the sputter tool, the structure is warmed up to a temperature above the water condensation temperature of the environment outside the sputter tool. As a result, water vapor would not condense on the structure when the structure exits the sputter tool, and therefore, corrosion of the seed layer by the water vapor is prevented. Alternatively, a protective layer resistant to water vapor can be formed on top of the seed layer before the structure exits the sputter tool environment. In yet another alternative embodiment, the seed layer can comprises a copper alloy (such as with aluminum) which grows a protective layer resistant to water vapor upon exposure to water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P Barkyoumb, Jonathan D. Chapple-Sokol, Edward C. Cooney, III, Keith E. Downes, Thomas L. McDevitt, William J. Murphy