Patents by Inventor Lars Liebmann

Lars Liebmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20220102277
    Abstract: An additional set of interconnects is created in bulk material, allowing connections to active devices to be made from both above and below. The interconnects below the active devices can form a power distribution network, and the interconnects above the active devices can form a signaling network. Various accommodations can be made to suit different applications, such as encapsulating buried elements, using sacrificial material, and replacing the bulk material with a dielectric. Epitaxial material can be used throughout the formation process, allowing for the creation of a monolithic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars LIEBMANN, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Publication number: 20220102380
    Abstract: In vertically stacked device structures, a buried interconnect and bottom contacts can be formed, thereby allowing connections to be made to device terminals from both below and above the stacked device structures. Techniques herein include a structure that enables electrical access to each independent device terminal of multiple devices, stacked on top of each other, without interfering with other devices and the local connections that are needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars LIEBMANN, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Publication number: 20220102362
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) structure is provided. The structure includes a plurality of SRAM bit cells on a substrate. Each SRAM bit cell includes at least six transistors including at least two NMOS transistors and at least two PMOS transistors. Each of the at least six transistors being lateral transistors with channels formed from nano-sheets grown by epitaxy. The at least six transistors positioned in two decks in which a second deck is positioned vertically above a first deck relative to a working surface of the substrate, wherein at least one NMOS transistor and at least one PMOS transistor share a common vertical gate. A first inverter formed using a first transistor positioned in the first deck and a second transistor positioned in the second deck. A second inverter formed using a third transistor positioned in the first deck and a fourth transistor positioned in the second deck. A pass gate is located in either the first deck or the second deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars LIEBMANN, Jeffrey SMITH
  • Publication number: 20220085012
    Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a plurality of transistor pairs is formed to be stacked over a substrate. The plurality of transistor pairs have a plurality of gate electrodes that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to gate structures of the plurality of transistor pairs, and a plurality of source/drain (S/D) local interconnects that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to source regions and drain regions of the plurality of transistor pairs. A sequence of vertical and lateral etch steps are performed to etch the plurality of the gate electrodes and the plurality of S/D local interconnects so that the plurality of the gate electrodes and the plurality of S/D local interconnects have a staircase configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara Tapily
  • Publication number: 20220068921
    Abstract: A first transistor tier is formed over a substrate, positioned in a first tier of the semiconductor device and includes bottom transistors extending along a horizontal direction parallel to the substrate. A first segment of a first conductive plane is formed in the first tier and adjacent to a first side of the first transistor tier, spans a height of the first transistor tier, and is connected to the first transistor tier. A second transistor tier is formed over the first transistor tier, positioned in a second tier of the semiconductor device and includes top transistors extending along the horizontal direction. A second segment of the first conductive plane is formed in the second tier and adjacent to a first side of the second transistor tier, positioned over and connected to the first segment of the first conductive plane, and spans a height of the second transistor tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 11264274
    Abstract: A first source/drain (S/D) structure of a first transistor is formed on a substrate and positioned at a first end of a first channel structure of the first transistor. A first substitute silicide layer is deposited on a surface of the first S/D structure and made of a first dielectric. A second dielectric is formed to cover the first substitute silicide layer and the first S/D structure. A first interconnect opening is formed subsequently in the second dielectric to uncover the first substitute silicide layer. The first interconnect opening is filled with a first substitute interconnect layer, where the first substitute interconnect layer is made of a third dielectric. Further, a thermal processing of the substrate is executed. The first substitute interconnect layer and the first substitute silicide layer are removed. A first silicide layer is formed on the surfaces of the first S/D structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Hiroaki Niimi, Jodi Grzeskowiak, Daniel Chanemougame, Lars Liebmann, Kandabara Tapily, Subhadeep Kal, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Patent number: 11264289
    Abstract: A method for microfabrication of a three dimensional transistor stack having gate-all-around field-effect transistor devices. The channels hang between source/drain regions. Each channel is selectively deposited with layers of materials designed for adjusting the threshold voltage of the channel. The layers may be oxides, high-k materials, work function materials and metallization. The three dimensional transistor stack forms an array of high threshold voltage devices and low threshold voltage devices in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Smith, Kandabara Tapily, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame, Mark Gardner, H. Jim Fulford, Anton J. Devilliers
  • Publication number: 20220052038
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate having a substrate surface, a power rail provided in the substrate, and a first tier of semiconductor devices provided in the substrate and positioned over the power rail along a thickness direction of the substrate. A wiring tier is provided in the substrate, and a second tier of semiconductor devices is provided in the substrate and positioned over the wiring tier along the thickness direction. The second tier of semiconductor devices is stacked on the first tier of semiconductor devices in the thickness direction such that the wiring tier is interposed between the first and second tiers of semiconductor devices. A first vertical interconnect structure extends downward from the wiring tier to the first tier of semiconductor devices to electrically connect the wiring tier to a device within the first tier of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars LIEBMANN, Jeffrey SMITH, Anton J. deVILLIERS
  • Publication number: 20220051905
    Abstract: Techniques herein provide thermal processing solutions applicable to both existing FINFET applications, including wrap-around contacts, as well as 3D architectures such as transistor-on-transistor and gate-on-gate monolithic or heterogeneous CFET. Techniques include heating or annealing a first target material without heating or affecting performance of a second material or other materials. Techniques include using a first heating process to heat a substrate and materials provided thereon to a first temperature, and then using a wavelength/frequency tunable second heating process to increase temperature of the target material without increasing temperature of the second material or other materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey SMITH, Hiroaki NIIMI, Daniel CHANEMOUGAME, Lars LIEBMANN, H. Jim FULFORD, Mark I. GARDNER, Kandabara TAPILY, Anton J. DEVILLIERS
  • Patent number: 11251200
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a coaxial contact that has conductive layers extending from local interconnects and being coupled to metal layers. The local interconnects are stacked over a substrate and extend laterally along a top surface of the substrate. The metal layers are stacked over the local interconnects and extend laterally along the top surface of the substrate. The conductive layers are close-shaped and concentrically arranged, where each of the local interconnects is coupled to a corresponding conductive layer, and each of the conductive layers is coupled to a corresponding metal layer. The semiconductor device also includes insulating layers that are close-shaped, concentrically arranged, and positioned alternately with respect to the conductive layers so that the conductive layers are spaced apart from one another by the insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara Tapily
  • Patent number: 11233006
    Abstract: An integrated circuit product includes a first layer of insulating material including a first insulating material. The first layer of insulating material is positioned above a device layer of a semiconductor substrate. The device layer includes transistors. A metallization blocking structure is positioned in an opening in the first layer of insulating material. The metallization blocking structure includes a second insulating material that is different from the first insulating material. A metallization trench is defined in the first layer of insulating material on opposite sides of the metallization blocking structure. A conductive metallization line includes first and second portions positioned in the metallization trench on opposite sides of the metallization blocking structure. The conductive metallization line has a long axis extending along the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame, Geng Han
  • Patent number: 11217583
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The device includes a plurality of transistor pairs that are stacked over a substrate. Each of the plurality of transistor pairs includes a n-type transistor and a p-type transistor that are stacked over one another. The device also includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are stacked over the substrate with a staircase configuration. The plurality of gate electrodes are electrically coupled to gate structures of the plurality of transistor pairs. The device further includes a plurality of source/drain (S/D) local interconnects that are stacked over the substrate with a staircase configuration. The plurality of S/D local interconnects are electrically coupled to source regions and drain regions of the plurality of transistor pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara Tapily
  • Patent number: 11201148
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate having a substrate surface, a power rail provided in the substrate, and a first tier of semiconductor devices provided in the substrate and positioned over the power rail along a thickness direction of the substrate. A wiring tier is provided in the substrate, and a second tier of semiconductor devices is provided in the substrate and positioned over the wiring tier along the thickness direction. The second tier of semiconductor devices is stacked on the first tier of semiconductor devices in the thickness direction such that the wiring tier is interposed between the first and second tiers of semiconductor devices. A first vertical interconnect structure extends downward from the wiring tier to the first tier of semiconductor devices to electrically connect the wiring tier to a device within the first tier of semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers
  • Patent number: 11201152
    Abstract: A semiconductor device at least one first transistor of a first type disposed above a substrate and comprising a channel wider in one cross-section than tall, wherein the first type is a PFET transistor or an NFET transistor; and at least one second transistor of a second type disposed above the at least one first transistor and comprising a channel taller in the one cross-section than wide, wherein the second type is a PFET transistor or an NFET transistor, and the second type is different from the first type. Methods and systems for forming the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ruilong Xie, Steven Soss, Steven Bentley, Daniel Chanemougame, Julien Frougier, Bipul Paul, Lars Liebmann
  • Patent number: 11177250
    Abstract: Techniques herein include methods for fabricating high density logic and memory for advanced circuit architecture. The methods can include forming multilayer stacks on separate substrates and forming bonding films over the multilayer stacks, then contacting and bonding the bonding films to form a combined structure including each of the multilayer stacks. The method can be repeated to form additional combinations. In between iterations, transistor devices may be formed from the combined structures. Ionized atom implantation can facilitate cleavage of a substrate destined for growth of additional multilayers, wherein an anneal weakens the substrate at a predetermined penetration depth of the ionized atom implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford, Jeffrey Smith, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame
  • Publication number: 20210351132
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor stack. The transistor stack has a plurality of transistors that are stacked over a substrate. Each of the plurality of transistors includes a channel region stacked over the substrate and extending in a direction parallel to the substrate, a gate structure stacked over the substrate and surrounding the channel region of each of the plurality of transistors, and source/drain (S/D) regions stacked over the substrate and further positioned at two ends of the channel region of each of the plurality of transistors. The semiconductor device also includes one or more conductive planes formed over the substrate. The one or more conductive planes are positioned adjacent to the transistor stack, span a height of the transistor stack, and are electrically coupled to the transistor stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara Tapily
  • Publication number: 20210319164
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving data representative of an electrical circuit including an arrangement of devices, inputs, outputs, and power sources; pairing the devices based on a complimentary feature shared between the devices, the complimentary feature being associated to an operational characteristic of the devices; grouping the paired devices into device clusters based on common features shared between two or more of the paired devices; arranging the device clusters based on locations of input, outputs, or power connections of the device clusters to optimize electrical isolation or electrical connections between the device clusters; and generating discrete portions of the arranged device clusters to form a physical layout representative of a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit, such that when the discrete portions are integrated together they form a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Lars Liebmann
  • Publication number: 20210319165
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving data representative of an electrical circuit including an arrangement of devices, inputs, outputs, and power sources; determining a minimum number of segments based on the received data; grouping the devices into N segments based on common features shared between two or more of the devices, where N is equal to the minimum number of segments; and generating discrete portions of the grouped devices to form a physical layout representative of a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit, such that when the discrete portions are integrated together they form a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Lars Liebmann
  • Patent number: 11114381
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor stack having a plurality of transistor pairs that are stacked over a substrate. Each transistor pair of the plurality of transistor pairs includes a n-type transistor and a p-type transistor that are stacked over one another. The plurality of transistor pairs have a plurality of gate electrodes that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to gate structures of the plurality of transistor pairs, and a plurality of source/drain (S/D) local interconnects that are stacked over the substrate and electrically coupled to source regions and drain regions of the plurality of transistor pairs. The semiconductor device further includes one or more conductive planes formed over the substrate. The one or more conductive planes are positioned adjacent to the transistor stack, span a height of the transistor stack and are electrically coupled to the transistor stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lars Liebmann, Jeffrey Smith, Anton J. deVilliers, Kandabara Tapily
  • Patent number: 11114346
    Abstract: A method of forming transistor devices is described that includes forming a first transistor plane on a substrate, the first transistor plane including at least one layer of epitaxial film adaptable for forming channels of field effect transistors, depositing a first insulator layer on the first transistor plane, depositing a first layer of polycrystalline silicon on the first insulator layer, annealing the first layer of polycrystalline silicon using laser heating. The laser heating increases grain size of the first layer of polycrystalline silicon. The method further includes forming a second transistor plane on the first layer of polycrystalline silicon, the second transistor plane being adaptable for forming channels of field effect transistors, depositing a second insulator layer on the second transistor plane, depositing a second layer of polycrystalline silicon on the second insulator layer, and annealing the second layer of polycrystalline silicon using laser heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: H. Jim Fulford, Mark I. Gardner, Jeffrey Smith, Lars Liebmann, Daniel Chanemougame