Patents by Inventor Nadine Collaert

Nadine Collaert 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: 9601488
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate-all-around semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method comprises providing on a semiconductor substrate between STI regions at least one suspended nanostructure anchored by a source region and a drain region. The suspended nanostructure is formed of a crystalline semiconductor material that is different from a crystalline semiconductor material of the semiconductor substrate. A gate stack surrounds the at least one suspended nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Niamh Waldron, Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20160320336
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to semiconductor devices such as field-effect transistor devices configured for biomolecule sensing. In one aspect, a semiconductor chip comprises at least one field-effect transistor device which comprises a source, a drain, a gate stack and a channel region formed between the source and the drain. The gate stack only partially overlaps the channel region at the source side and/or at the drain side, such that a non-overlapped channel region at the source side and/or at the drain side is formed, where the non-overlapped channel region is configured for sensing biomolecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Nadine COLLAERT, Voon Yew Thean
  • Publication number: 20160240532
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate-all-around semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method comprises providing on a semiconductor substrate between STI regions at least one suspended nanostructure anchored by a source region and a drain region. The suspended nanostructure is formed of a crystalline semiconductor material that is different from a crystalline semiconductor material of the semiconductor substrate. A gate stack surrounds the at least one suspended nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Niamh Waldron, Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 9419110
    Abstract: A method for growing a III-V semiconductor structure on a SinGe1-n substrate, wherein n is from 0 to 1 is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) bringing a SinGe1-n substrate to a high temperature; (b) exposing the area to a group V precursor in a carrier gas for from 5 to 30 min, thereby forming a doped region at said area; (c) bringing the SinGe1-n substrate to a low temperature; (d) exposing the doped region to a group III precursor in a carrier gas and to a group V precursor in a carrier gas until a nucleation layer of III-V material of from 5 to 15 nm is formed on the nucleation layer; (e) bringing the SinGe1-n substrate to an intermediate temperature; and (f) exposing the nucleation layer to a group III precursor in a carrier gas and to a group V precursor in a carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20160141391
    Abstract: A method for growing a III-V semiconductor structure on a SinGe1-n substrate, wherein n is from 0 to 1 is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) bringing a SinGe1-n substrate to a high temperature; (b) exposing the area to a group V precursor in a carrier gas for from 5 to 30 min, thereby forming a doped region at said area; (c) bringing the SinGe1-n substrate to a low temperature; (d) exposing the doped region to a group III precursor in a carrier gas and to a group V precursor in a carrier gas until a nucleation layer of III-V material of from 5 to 15 nm is formed on the nucleation layer; (e) bringing the SinGe1-n substrate to an intermediate temperature; and (f) exposing the nucleation layer to a group III precursor in a carrier gas and to a group V precursor in a carrier gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20160126131
    Abstract: An example method includes providing a layer stack in a trench defined by adjacent STI structures and recessing the STI structures adjacent to the layer stack to thereby expose an upper portion of the layer stack, the upper portion comprising at least a channel portion. The method further includes providing one or more protection layers on the upper portion of the layer stack and then further recessing the STI structures selectively to the protection layers and the layer stack, to thereby expose a central portion of the layer stack. And the method includes removing the central portion of the layer stack, resulting in a freestanding upper part and a lower part of the layer stack being physically separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Nadine Collaert, Geert Eneman, Naoto Horiguchi, Min-Soo Kim, Rita Rooyackers, Anabela Veloso, Liesbeth Witters
  • Patent number: 9324818
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate-all-around semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method comprises providing on a semiconductor substrate between STI regions at least one suspended nanostructure anchored by a source region and a drain region. The suspended nanostructure is formed of a crystalline semiconductor material that is different from a crystalline semiconductor material of the semiconductor substrate. A gate stack surrounds the at least one suspended nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Niamh Waldron, Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 9257539
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a transistor device is provided, comprising providing a plurality of parallel nanowires on a substrate; providing a dummy gate structure over a central portion of the parallel nanowires; epitaxially growing extension portions of a second material, selectively on the parallel nanowires, outside a central portion; providing a filler layer around and on top of the dummy gate structure and the extension portions; removing the dummy gate structure to create a gate trench, exposing the central portion of the parallel nanowires; providing spacer structures on the sidewalls of the gate trench, to define a final gate trench; thinning the parallel nanowires, thereby creating free space in between the nanowires and spacer structures; and selectively growing a quantum well layer on or around the parallel nanowires, at least partially filling the free space, to thereby provide a connection between the quantum well layer and extension portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Rita Rooyackers, Nadine Collaert, Geert Eneman
  • Publication number: 20150279947
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to a gate-all-around semiconductor device, and methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, the method comprises providing on a semiconductor substrate between STI regions at least one suspended nanostructure anchored by a source region and a drain region. The suspended nanostructure is formed of a crystalline semiconductor material that is different from a crystalline semiconductor material of the semiconductor substrate. A gate stack surrounds the at least one suspended nanostructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Niamh Waldron, Clement Merckling, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20150179755
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a transistor device is provided, comprising providing a plurality of parallel nanowires on a substrate; providing a dummy gate structure over a central portion of the parallel nanowires; epitaxially growing extension portions of a second material, selectively on the parallel nanowires, outside a central portion; providing a filler layer around and on top of the dummy gate structure and the extension portions; removing the dummy gate structure to create a gate trench, exposing the central portion of the parallel nanowires; providing spacer structures on the sidewalls of the gate trench, to define a final gate trench; thinning the parallel nanowires, thereby creating free space in between the nanowires and spacer structures; and selectively growing a quantum well layer on or around the parallel nanowires, at least partially filling the free space, to thereby provide a connection between the quantum well layer and extension portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Rita Rooyackers, Nadine Collaert, Geert Eneman
  • Publication number: 20130341185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device for stimulation and/or data recording of biological material to a such semiconductor device. The method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a first insulating layer; providing a patterned conductive layer on top of the first insulating layer; depositing and patterning a second insulating layer atop the patterned conductive layer; growing carbon nano-sheets atop the second insulating layer; and defining carbon nano-sheet electrode areas on the second insulating layer by etching away the carbon nano-sheets outside of the carbon nano-sheet electrode areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Nadine Collaert, Daire J. Cott, Michael De Volder
  • Patent number: 8445963
    Abstract: A multi-gate device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a substrate having a first semiconductor layer of a first carrier mobility enhancing parameter, a buried insulating layer, and a second semiconductor layer with a second carrier mobility enhancing parameter. The device also includes a first active region electrically isolated from a second active region in the substrate. The first active region has a first fin grown on the first semiconductor layer and having the first mobility enhancing parameter. The second active region has a second fin grown on the second semiconductor layer and having the second mobility enhancing parameter. The device also includes a dielectric layer over the second semiconductor layer which is located between the first fin and the second fin. The first and second fins protrude through and above the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 8391059
    Abstract: Multi-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors and methods of operating such multi-gate MOS transistors are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-gate MOS transistor comprises a first gate associated with a first body factor and comprising a first gate electrode for applying a first gate voltage, and a second gate associated with a second body factor greater than or equal to the first body factor and comprising a second gate electrode for applying a second gate voltage. The multi-gate MOS transistor further comprises a body of semiconductor material between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, where the semiconductor body comprises a first channel region located close to the first dielectric layer and a second channel region located close to the second dielectric layer. The multi-gate MOS transistor still further comprises a source region and a drain region each having a conductivity type different from a conductivity type of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Zhichao Lu, Nadine Collaert, Marc Aoulaiche, Malgorzata Jurczak
  • Patent number: 8319295
    Abstract: A new, effective and cost-efficient method of introducing Fluorine into Hf-based dielectric gate stacks of planar or multi-gate devices (MuGFET), resulting in a significant improvement in both Negative and Positive Bias Temperature Instabilities (NBTI and PBTI) is provided. The new method uses an SF6 based metal gate etch chemistry for the introduction of Fluorine, which after a thermal budget within the standard process flow, results in excellent F passivation of the interfaces. A key advantage of the method is that it uses the metal gate etch for F introduction, requiring no extra implantations or treatments. In addition to the significant BTI improvement with the novel method, a better Vth control and increased drive current on MuGFET devices is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Nadine Collaert, Paul Zimmerman, Marc Demand, Werner Boullart, Adelina K. Shickova
  • Publication number: 20110317486
    Abstract: Multi-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors and methods of operating such multi-gate MOS transistors are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-gate MOS transistor comprises a first gate associated with a first body factor and comprising a first gate electrode for applying a first gate voltage, and a second gate associated with a second body factor greater than or equal to the first body factor and comprising a second gate electrode for applying a second gate voltage. The multi-gate MOS transistor further comprises a body of semiconductor material between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, where the semiconductor body comprises a first channel region located close to the first dielectric layer and a second channel region located close to the second dielectric layer. The multi-gate MOS transistor still further comprises a source region and a drain region each having a conductivity type different from a conductivity type of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: IMEC
    Inventors: Zhichao Lu, Nadine Collaert, Marc Aoulaiche, Malgorzata Jurczak
  • Publication number: 20110068375
    Abstract: A multi-gate device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a substrate having a first semiconductor layer of a first carrier mobility enhancing parameter, a buried insulating layer, and a second semiconductor layer with a second carrier mobility enhancing parameter. The device also includes a first active region electrically isolated from a second active region in the substrate. The first active region has a first fin grown on the first semiconductor layer and having the first mobility enhancing parameter. The second active region has a second fin grown on the second semiconductor layer and having the second mobility enhancing parameter. The device also includes a dielectric layer over the second semiconductor layer which is located between the first fin and the second fin. The first and second fins protrude through and above the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: IMEC
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 7842559
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-gate device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate having a first semiconductor layer with a first carrier mobility enhancing parameter, an insulating layer, a second semiconductor layer with a second carrier mobility enhancing parameter different from the first carrier mobility enhancing parameter. A first and second dielectric layer are then provided on the substrate. A first trench is formed in a first active region through the dielectric layers, the second semiconductor layer and the buried insulating layer. A first fin is formed in the first trench, protruding above the first dielectric layer and having the first carrier mobility enhancing parameter. A second trench is formed in a second active region through the dielectric layers. A second fin is formed in the second trench, protruding above the first dielectric layer and having the second mobility enhancing parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20090159972
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-gate device is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate having a first semiconductor layer with a first carrier mobility enhancing parameter, an insulating layer, a second semiconductor layer with a second carrier mobility enhancing parameter different from the first carrier mobility enhancing parameter. A first and second dielectric layer are then provided on the substrate. A first trench is formed in a first active region through the dielectric layers, the second semiconductor layer and the buried insulating layer. A first fin is formed in the first trench, protruding above the first dielectric layer and having the first carrier mobility enhancing parameter. A second trench is formed in a second active region through the dielectric layers. A second fin is formed in the second trench, protruding above the first dielectric layer and having the second mobility enhancing parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICROELEKTRONICA CENTRUM VZW (IMEC)
    Inventors: Stefan Jakschik, Nadine Collaert
  • Patent number: 7494902
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for relaxing strain in a multi-gate device, the method comprising providing a substrate with a strained material, patterning a plurality of fins in the strained material, defining a first region comprising at least one fin, defining a second region comprising at least one fin, providing a diffusion barrier layer on the first region, performing a hydrogen anneal such that the strain in the second region is relaxed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (IMEC)
    Inventors: Malgorzata Jurczak, Rita Rooyackers, Nadine Collaert
  • Publication number: 20090020786
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device on a substrate having a first major surface lying in a plane and the semiconductor device are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises, after patterning the substrate to form at least one structure extending from the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the substrate, forming locally modified regions at locations in the substrate not covered by the structure, thus locally increasing etching resistance of these regions. Forming locally modified regions may prevent under-etching of the structure during further process steps in the formation of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (IMEC), STMicroelectronics (Crolles2) SAS
    Inventors: Damien Lenoble, Nadine Collaert