Patents by Inventor Kern Rim

Kern Rim 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: 9954083
    Abstract: A method of introducing strain in a channel region of a FinFET device includes forming a fin structure on a substrate, the fin structure having a lower portion comprising a sacrificial layer and an upper portion comprising a strained semiconductor layer; and removing a portion of the sacrificial layer corresponding to a channel region of the FinFET device so as to release the upper portion of the fin structure from the substrate in the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Darsen D. Lu, Alexander Reznicek, Kern Rim
  • Publication number: 20180082906
    Abstract: A method of producing a FinFET device with fin pitch of less than 20 nm is presented. In accordance with some embodiments, fins are deposited on sidewall spacers, which themselves are deposited on mandrels. The mandrels can be formed by lithographic processes while the fins and sidewall spacers formed by deposition technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Stanley SONG, Jeffrey XU, Da YANG, Kern RIM, Choh fei YEAP
  • Publication number: 20180082846
    Abstract: Multigate devices and fabrication methods that mitigate the layout effects are described. In conventional processes to fabricate multigate semiconductor devices such as FinFET devices, long isolation cut masks may be used. This can lead to undesirable layout effects. To mitigate or eliminate the layout effect, fabrication methods are proposed in which the interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer remains intact at the gate cut location during the fabrication process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Da YANG, Yanxiang LIU, Jun YUAN, Kern RIM
  • Publication number: 20180076197
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices employing Field Effect Transistors (FETs) with multiple channel structures without shallow trench isolation (STI) void-induced electrical shorts are disclosed. In one aspect, a semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate. The semiconductor device includes channel structures disposed over the substrate, the channel structures corresponding to a FET. An STI trench is formed between each corresponding pair of channel structures. Each STI trench includes a bottom region filled with a lower quality oxide, and a top region filled with a higher quality oxide. The lower quality oxide is susceptible to void formation in the bottom region during particular fabrication steps of the semiconductor device. However, the higher quality oxide is not susceptible to void formation. Thus, the higher quality oxide does not include voids with which a gate may electrically couple to other active components, thus preventing STI void-induced electrical shorts in the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Haining Yang, Jun Yuan, Kern Rim, Periannan Chidambaram
  • Patent number: 9917188
    Abstract: A method of forming a fin structure that includes forming a plurality of fin structures from a bulk semiconductor substrate and forming a dielectric spacer on a sidewall of each fin structure in the plurality of fin structure. A semiconductor spacer is formed on a sidewall of the dielectric spacer. A dielectric fill is formed in the space between the adjacent fin structures. The semiconductor spacer and a portion of the fin structures that is present below a lower surface of the dielectric spacer are oxidized. Oxidizing a base portion of the fin structures produces a first strain and oxidizing the semiconductor spacer produces a second strain that is opposite the first strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Darsen D. Lu, Ali Khakifirooz, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9911597
    Abstract: A method including forming an oxygen gettering layer on one side of an insulating layer of a deep trench capacitor between the insulating layer and a substrate, the oxygen gettering layer including an aluminum containing compound, and depositing an inner electrode on top of the insulating layer, the inner electrode including a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Eduard A. Cartier, Michael P. Chudzik, Aritra Dasgupta, Herbert L. Ho, Donghun Kang, Rishikesh Krishnan, Vijay Narayanan, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9911663
    Abstract: A method for preventing damage to the insulator layer of a semiconductor device during creation of fin field effect transistor (FinFET) includes obtaining a material stack having an active semiconductor layer, an insulator layer, and an etch stop layer between the active semiconductor layer and the insulator layer; forming a fin-array from the active semiconductor layer; patterning the fin-array; and fabricating a FinFET device from the patterned fin-array; where the etch stop layer is resistant to processes the etch stop layer is exposed to during the forming, patterning, and fabricating operations, such that the etch stop layer and the insulator layer are not damaged during the forming, patterning, and fabricating operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kern Rim, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 9887209
    Abstract: A standard cell CMOS device includes metal oxide semiconductor transistors having gates formed from gate interconnects. The gate interconnects extend in a first direction. The device further includes power rails that provide power to the transistors. The power rails extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The device further includes M1 layer interconnects extending between the power rails. At least one of the M1 layer interconnects is coupled to at least one of the transistors. The M1 layer interconnects are parallel to the gate interconnects and extend in the first direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mukul Gupta, Xiangdong Chen, Ohsang Kwon, Foua Vang, Stanley Seungchul Song, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9876017
    Abstract: Static random access memory (SRAM) bit cells with wordline landing pads split across boundary edges of the SRAM bit cells are disclosed. In one aspect, an SRAM bit cell is disclosed employing write wordline in second metal layer, first read wordline in third metal layer, and second read wordline in fourth metal layer. Employing wordlines in separate metal layers allows wordlines to have wider widths, which decrease wordline resistance, decrease access time, and increase performance of SRAM bit cell. To employ wordlines in separate metal layers, multiple tracks in first metal layer are employed. To couple read wordlines to the tracks to communicate with SRAM bit cell transistors, landing pads are disposed on corresponding tracks inside and outside of a boundary edge of the SRAM bit cell. Landing pads corresponding to the write wordline are placed on corresponding tracks within the boundary edge of the SRAM bit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Niladri Narayan Mojumder, Stanley Seungchul Song, Zhongze Wang, Kern Rim, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 9871121
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes forming a first spacer structure on a dummy gate of a semiconductor device and forming a sacrificial spacer on the first spacer structure. The method also includes etching a structure of the semiconductor device to create an opening, removing the sacrificial spacer via the opening, and depositing a material to close to define a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Kern Rim, John Jianhong Zhu, Stanley Seungchul Song, Mustafa Badaroglu, Vladimir Machkaoutsan, Da Yang, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Publication number: 20180006035
    Abstract: Fin Field Effect Transistor (FET) (FinFET) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits with single and double diffusion breaks for increased performance are disclosed. In one aspect, a FinFET CMOS circuit employing single and double diffusion breaks includes a P-type FinFET that includes a first Fin formed from a semiconductor substrate and corresponding to a P-type diffusion region. The FinFET CMOS circuit includes an N-type FinFET that includes a second Fin formed from the semiconductor substrate and corresponding to an N-type diffusion region. To electrically isolate the P-type FinFET, first and second single diffusion break (SDB) isolation structures are formed in the first Fin on either side of a gate of the P-type FinFET. To electrically isolate the N-type FinFET, first and second double diffusion break (DDB) isolation structures are formed in the second Fin on either side of a gate of the N-type FinFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jun Yuan, Yanxiang Liu, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9853112
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a device includes performing a gate cut to cut a gate line to create a first gate region and a second gate region. The method further includes depositing a conductive material to form a conductive jumper structure to connect the first gate region and the second gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yanxiang Liu, Stanley Seungchul Song, Kern Rim
  • Publication number: 20170338215
    Abstract: A heterogeneous cell array includes a first column of cells and a second column of cells. The first column of cells includes a first cell having a first area and a second cell having the first area. The first cell includes two fin-type field effect transistors having a first number of fins and the second cell includes two fin-type field effect transistors having the first number of fins. The second column of cells includes a third cell having a second area. The third cell is adjacent to the first cell and to the second cell, and the third cell includes two fin-type field effect transistors having a second number of fins. The second area is greater than the first area, and the second number of fins is greater than the first number of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Stanley Seungchul Song, Giridhar Nallapati, Da Yang, Kern Rim, Robert Bucki, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 9806083
    Abstract: Static random access memory (SRAM) bit cells with wordlines on separate metal layers for increased performance are disclosed. In one aspect, an SRAM bit cell is disclosed employing a write wordline in a second metal layer, a first read wordline in a third metal layer, and a second read wordline in a fourth metal layer. Employing wordlines in separate metal layers allows wordlines to have increased widths, which decrease wordline resistance, decrease access time, and increase performance of the SRAM bit cell. To employ wordlines in separate metal layers, multiple tracks in a first metal layer are employed. To couple read wordlines to the tracks to communicate with SRAM bit cell transistors, landing pads are disposed on corresponding tracks disposed in the first metal layer. Landing pads corresponding to the write wordline are placed on corresponding tracks disposed in the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Niladri Narayan Mojumder, Stanley Seungchul Song, Zhongze Wang, Kern Rim, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 9799560
    Abstract: A fin-type semiconductor device includes a gate structure and a source/drain structure. The fin-type semiconductor device also includes a gate hardmask structure coupled to the gate structure. The gate hardmask structure comprises a first material. The fin-type semiconductor device further includes a source/drain hardmask structure coupled to the source/drain structure. The source/drain hardmask structure comprises a second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley Seungchul Song, Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Kern Rim, Da Yang, John Jianhong Zhu, Junjing Bao, Niladri Narayan Mojumder, Vladimir Machkaoutsan, Mustafa Badaroglu, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Publication number: 20170278842
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a FinFET and a nanostructure FET. The integrated circuit includes a bulk substrate. The integrated circuit also includes a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) coupled to the bulk substrate. The FinFET includes a first source region, a first drain region, and a fin extending between the first source region and the first drain region. The integrated circuit also includes a nanostructure FET coupled to the bulk substrate. The nanostructure FET includes a second source region, a second drain region, and a stack of at least two nanostructures extending between the second source region and the second drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Stanley Seungchul Song, Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Kern Rim, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 9761610
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device, includes providing a strained silicon on insulator (SSOI) structure, the SSOI structure comprises, a dielectric layer disposed on a substrate, a silicon germanium layer disposed on the dielectric layer, and a strained semiconductor material layer disposed directly on the silicon germanium layer, forming a plurality of fins on the SSOI structure, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a nFET region, forming a gate structure over a portion of at least one fin in a pFET region, removing the gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, removing the silicon germanium layer exposed by the removing, and forming a new gate structure over the portion of the at least one fin in the pFET region, such that the new gate structure surrounds the portion on all four sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Darsen D. Lu, Alexander Reznicek, Kern Rim
  • Publication number: 20170250073
    Abstract: A method including forming an oxygen gettering layer on one side of an insulating layer of a deep trench capacitor between the insulating layer and a substrate, the oxygen gettering layer including an aluminum containing compound, and depositing an inner electrode on top of the insulating layer, the inner electrode including a metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Eduard A. Cartier, Michael P. Chudzik, Aritra Dasgupta, Herbert L. Ho, Donghun Kang, Rishikesh Krishnan, Vijay Narayanan, Kern Rim
  • Patent number: 9741722
    Abstract: Trench capacitors can be formed between lengthwise sidewalls of semiconductor fins, and source and drain regions of access transistors are formed in the semiconductor fins. A dummy gate structure is formed between end walls of a neighboring pair of semiconductor fins, and limits the lateral extent of raised source and drain regions that are formed by selective epitaxy. The dummy gate structure prevents electrical shorts between neighboring semiconductor fins. Gate spacers can be formed around gate structures and the dummy gate structures. The dummy gate structures can be replaced with dummy replacement gate structures or dielectric material portions, or can remain the same without substitution of any material. The dummy gate structures may consist of at least one dielectric material, or may include electrically floating conductive material portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Barth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Herbert L. Ho, Ali Khakifirooz, Babar A. Khan, Shom Ponoth, Kern Rim, Kehan Tian, Reinaldo A. Vega
  • Publication number: 20170236841
    Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a fin, and an isolation layer. The device also includes an epitaxial cladding layer on a sidewall of the fin. The epitaxial cladding layer has a substantially uniform thickness and has a continuous lattice structure at an interface with the sidewall. The epitaxial cladding layer is positioned above the isolation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Stanley Seungchul Song, Choh Fei Yeap, Jeffrey Junhao Xu, Kern Rim, Vladimir Machkaoutsan