Patents by Inventor Kevin Torek

Kevin Torek 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: 9911653
    Abstract: Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Lu, Hongqi Li, Kevin Torek, Thy Tran, Alex Schrinsky
  • Publication number: 20170162440
    Abstract: Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Jin Lu, Hongqi Li, Kevin Torek, Thy Tran, Alex Schrinsky
  • Patent number: 9613864
    Abstract: Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Lu, Hongqi Li, Kevin Torek, Thy Tran, Alex Schrinsky
  • Publication number: 20160111372
    Abstract: Semiconductor device interconnect structures having low capacitance and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an interconnect structure includes forming an opening in a surface of a semiconductor device and forming an interconnect structure at least within the opening. Forming the interconnect structure includes depositing a first insulator material on both the surface and a sidewall of the opening, selectively removing a first portion of the first insulator material on the surface over a second portion of the first insulator material on the sidewall, depositing a second insulator material on the second portion, and depositing a conductive material on the second insulator material. The method further includes selecting the thickness of the first and second insulators materials based on a threshold level of capacitance between the sidewall and the conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jin Lu, Hongqi Li, Kevin Torek, Thy Tran, Alex Schrinsky
  • Patent number: 8512587
    Abstract: Etch solutions for selectively etching doped oxide materials in the presence of silicon nitride, titanium nitride, and silicon materials, and methods utilizing the etch solutions, for example, in construction of container capacitor constructions are provided. The etch solutions are formulated as a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and an organic acid having a dielectric constant less than water, optionally, with an inorganic acid, and a pH of 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Prashant Raghu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20110159698
    Abstract: A photoresist processing method includes treating a substrate with a sulfur-containing substance. A positive-tone photoresist is applied on and in contact with the treated substrate. The method includes selectively exposing a portion of the photoresist to actinic energy and developing the photoresist to remove the exposed portion and to form a photoresist pattern on the substrate. The treating with a sulfur-containing substance reduces an amount of residual photoresist intended for removal compared to an amount of residual photoresist that remains without the treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Todd Abbott, Sandra Tagg, Amy Weatherly
  • Patent number: 7932550
    Abstract: An etching process includes providing a dielectric first film on a substrate and a sacrificial second film on the dielectric first film. A conductive structure such as a container capacitor is formed in a recess in the first and second films. The conductive structure is exposed as to its external surface by an etch process that resists destructive collapse of the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea, Thomas Graettinger
  • Patent number: 7541635
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes selectively depositing a collar material between a number of memory containers. The collar material along a side of a first memory container of the number of memory containers is in contact with the collar material along a side of a second memory container. An opening exists between the collar material along a corner of the memory container and the collar material along a corner of a third memory container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea, Niraj B. Rana, Zhiping Yin
  • Patent number: 7468323
    Abstract: An etching process includes providing a dielectric first film on a substrate and a sacrificial second film on the dielectric first film. A conductive structure such as a container capacitor is formed in a recess in the first and second films. The conductive structure is exposed as to its external surface by an etch process that resists destructive collapse of the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea, Thomas Graettinger
  • Patent number: 7453134
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has a substrate with first and second portions. One or more first active regions are formed in the first portion of the substrate. Each of the one or more first active regions has rounded corners. One or more first circuit elements are formed on the one or more first active regions after the corners of the one or more first active regions have been rounded. One or more second active regions are formed in the second portion of the substrate. One or more second circuit elements are formed on the one or more second active regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukesh Sandhu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20070262048
    Abstract: Etch solutions for selectively etching doped oxide materials in the presence of silicon nitride, titanium nitride, and silicon materials, and methods utilizing the etch solutions, for example, in the construction of container capacitor constructions are provided. The etch solutions are formulated as a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and an organic acid having a dielectric constant less than water, optionally with an inorganic acid, and a pH of 1 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Prashant Raghu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20070207622
    Abstract: Etch solutions for selectively etching doped oxide materials in the presence of silicon nitride, titanium nitride, and silicon materials, and methods utilizing the etch solutions, for example, in the construction of container capacitor constructions are provided. The etch solutions are formulated as a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and an organic acid having a dielectric constant less than water, optionally with an inorganic acid, and a pH of 1 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Prashant Raghu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20070173013
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate that includes a memory container having a double-sided capacitor. The method also includes vapor phase etching a layer adjacent to the side wall of the memory container with a vapor having a surface tension lowering agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea
  • Publication number: 20070114633
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device has a substrate with first and second portions. One or more first active regions are formed in the first portion of the substrate. Each of the one or more first active regions has rounded corners. One or more first circuit elements are formed on the one or more first active regions after the corners of the one or more first active regions have been rounded. One or more second active regions are formed in the second portion of the substrate. One or more second circuit elements are formed on the one or more second active regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Sukesh Sandhu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20070117335
    Abstract: Double-sided container capacitors are formed using sacrificial layers. A sacrificial layer is formed within a recess in a structural layer. A lower electrode is formed within the recess. The sacrificial layer is removed to create a space to allow access to the sides of the structural layer. The structural layer is removed, creating an isolated lower electrode. The lower electrode can be covered with a capacitor dielectric and upper electrode to form a double-sided container capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, Kevin Shea, Chris Hill, Kevin Torek
  • Patent number: 7214978
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes providing a semiconductor substrate that includes a memory container having a double-sided capacitor. The method also includes vapor phase etching a layer adjacent to the side wall of the memory container with a vapor having a surface tension lowering agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea
  • Patent number: 7179717
    Abstract: Forming an integrated circuit device includes forming a hard mask layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. The hard mask layer is patterned to expose portions of the substrate and edges of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the substrate are removed. A first portion of the substrate is covered with a photoresist layer while leaving a second portion exposed. The exposed edges of the hard mask are recessed to expose a third portion of the substrate. Recessing the exposed edges of the hard mask includes using at least a dry-etch chemistry. The exposed second and third portions of the substrate are oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukesh Sandhu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20060270181
    Abstract: Forming an integrated circuit device includes forming a hard mask layer overlying a semiconductor substrate. The hard mask layer is patterned to expose portions of the substrate and edges of the hard mask layer. Exposed portions of the substrate are removed. A first portion of the substrate is covered with a photoresist layer while leaving a second portion exposed. The exposed edges of the hard mask are recessed to expose a third portion of the substrate. Recessing the exposed edges of the hard mask includes using at least a dry-etch chemistry. The exposed second and third portions of the substrate are oxidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Sukesh Sandhu, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20060263729
    Abstract: A surface treatment process includes rinsing a substrate after a dry development process to remove residual resist material prior to patterning a hard mask layer. An amorphous carbon hard mask is dry developed and thereafter, the surface treatment includes an aqueous ammonium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide composition. While the composition acts as a solvent to the resist, the composition is selective to the amorphous carbon hard mask and the surface under the hard mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Shea, Kevin Torek
  • Publication number: 20060261395
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes selectively depositing a collar material between a number of memory containers. The collar material along a side of a first memory container of the number of memory containers is in contact with the collar material along a side of a second memory container. An opening exists between the collar material along a corner of the first memory container and the collar material along a corner of a third memory container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Torek, Kevin Shea, Niraj Rana, Zhiping Yin