Patents by Inventor Nicolas J. Loubet

Nicolas J. Loubet 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: 20180218979
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for forming a semiconductor device having a vertically integrated nanosheet fuse. A nanosheet stack is formed on a substrate. The nanosheet stack includes a semiconductor layer formed between an upper nanosheet and a lower nanosheet. The semiconductor layer is modified such that an etch rate of the modified semiconductor layer is greater than an etch rate of the upper and lower nanosheets when exposed to an etchant. Portions of the modified semiconductor layer are removed to form a cavity between the upper and lower nanosheets and a silicide region is formed in the upper nanosheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robin H. Chao, James J. Demarest, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Publication number: 20180218978
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for forming a semiconductor device having a vertically integrated nanosheet fuse. A nanosheet stack is formed on a substrate. The nanosheet stack includes a semiconductor layer formed between an upper nanosheet and a lower nanosheet. The semiconductor layer is modified such that an etch rate of the modified semiconductor layer is greater than an etch rate of the upper and lower nanosheets when exposed to an etchant. Portions of the modified semiconductor layer are removed to form a cavity between the upper and lower nanosheets and a silicide region is formed in the upper nanosheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robin H. Chao, James J. Demarest, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Patent number: 10026810
    Abstract: Nanosheet semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same include forming a first nanosheet stack in a first device region with layers of a first channel material and layers of a sacrificial material. A second nanosheet stack is formed in a second device region with layers of a second channel material, layers of the sacrificial material, and a liner formed around the layers of the second channel material. The sacrificial material is etched away, but the liner protects the second channel material from the etch. Gate stacks are formed over and around the layers of first and second channel material to form respective first and second semiconductor devices in the first and second device regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Guillorn, Isaac Lauer, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Publication number: 20180197953
    Abstract: An n-doped field effect transistor (nFET) section of an integrated device logic region is provided. The nFET section includes a semiconductor substrate, a layer at least partially formed of silicon germanium (SiGe) disposed on the semiconductor substrate and fin formations. The fin formations are formed on the layer. Each fin formation includes a first fin portion that is at least partially formed of silicon (Si) and a second fin portion that is at least partially formed of hard mask material. The layer is etched to include free surfaces that facilitate elastic relaxation of SiGe therein and a corresponding application of tension in Si of the first fin portion of each of the fin formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Nicolas J. Loubet, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20180197992
    Abstract: A method for inducing stress in a device channel includes forming a stress adjustment layer on a substrate, the stress adjustment layer including an as deposited stress due to crystal lattice differences with the substrate. A device channel layer is formed on the stress adjustment layer. Cuts are etched through the device channel layer and the stress adjustment layer to release the stress adjustment layer to induce stress in the device channel layer. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent to the device channel layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 10020398
    Abstract: A method for inducing stress in a device channel includes forming a stress adjustment layer on a substrate, the stress adjustment layer including an as deposited stress due to crystal lattice differences with the substrate. A device channel layer is formed on the stress adjustment layer. Cuts are etched through the device channel layer and the stress adjustment layer to release the stress adjustment layer to induce stress in the device channel layer. Source/drain regions are formed adjacent to the device channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9997352
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes depositing a sacrificial layer on a fin structure formed on a substrate and then filled with polysilicon, etching a portion of the polysilicon material via a first etching process, and pre-cleaning the surface native oxide layer. The method further includes etching the remaining polysilicon material via a second etching process, and removing polysilicon etch residue formed adjacent the fin structure by a cleaning process. The pre-cleaning is performed by applying ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) or by applying buffered hydrofluoric acid (BHF). The first etching process is reactive ion etching (RIE) and the second etching process involves applying nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrogen gas (H2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Donald F. Canaperi, Thamarai S. Devarajan, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Patent number: 9991166
    Abstract: A method for co-integrating wimpy and nominal devices includes growing source/drain regions on semiconductor material adjacent to a gate structure to form device structures with a non-electrically active material. Selected device structures are masked with a block mask. Unmasked device structures are selectively annealed to increase electrical activity of the non-electrically active material to adjust a threshold voltage between the selected device structures and the unmasked device structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9978678
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method and resulting structures for forming a semiconductor device having a vertically integrated nanosheet fuse. A nanosheet stack is formed on a substrate. The nanosheet stack includes a semiconductor layer formed between an upper nanosheet and a lower nanosheet. The semiconductor layer is modified such that an etch rate of the modified semiconductor layer is greater than an etch rate of the upper and lower nanosheets when exposed to an etchant. Portions of the modified semiconductor layer are removed to form a cavity between the upper and lower nanosheets and a silicide region is formed in the upper nanosheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robin H. Chao, James J. Demarest, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Patent number: 9972684
    Abstract: A method for forming a compressively strained semiconductor substrate includes forming a lattice adjustment layer on a semiconductor substrate by forming compound clusters within an epitaxially grown semiconductor matrix. The lattice adjustment layer includes a different lattice constant than the semiconductor substrate. A rare earth oxide is grown and lattice matched to the lattice adjustment layer. A semiconductor layer is grown and lattice matched to the rare earth oxide and includes a same material as the semiconductor substrate such that the semiconductor layer is compressively strained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Pouya Hashemi, Nicolas J. Loubet, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20180122899
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of forming a stacked nanosheet and resulting structures having equal thickness work function metal layers. A nanosheet stack is formed on a substrate. The nanosheet stack includes a first sacrificial layer formed on a first nanosheet. A hard mask is formed on the first sacrificial layer and the first sacrificial layer is removed to form a cavity between the hard mask and the first nanosheet. A work function layer is formed to fill the cavity between the hard mask and the first nanosheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Guillorn, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Publication number: 20180114833
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of making the same include forming a stack of alternating layers of channel material and sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is etched away to free the layers of channel material. A gate stack is formed around the layers of channel material. At least one layer of channel material is deactivated. Source and drain regions are formed in contact with the at least one layer of active channel material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ruqiang Bao, Michael A. Guillorn, Terence B. Hook, Nicolas J. Loubet, Robert R. Robison, Reinaldo A. Vega, Tenko Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20180108736
    Abstract: A method for forming a compressively strained semiconductor substrate includes forming a lattice adjustment layer on a semiconductor substrate by forming compound clusters within an epitaxially grown semiconductor matrix. The lattice adjustment layer includes a different lattice constant than the semiconductor substrate. A rare earth oxide is grown and lattice matched to the lattice adjustment layer. A semiconductor layer is grown and lattice matched to the rare earth oxide and includes a same material as the semiconductor substrate such that the semiconductor layer is compressively strained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Karthik Balakrishnan, Pouya Hashemi, Nicolas J. Loubet, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9941355
    Abstract: An n-doped field effect transistor (nFET) section of an integrated device logic region is provided. The nFET section includes a semiconductor substrate, a layer at least partially formed of silicon germanium (SiGe) disposed on the semiconductor substrate and fin formations. The fin formations are formed on the layer. Each fin formation includes a first fin portion that is at least partially formed of silicon (Si) and a second fin portion that is at least partially formed of hard mask material. The layer is etched to include free surfaces that facilitate elastic relaxation of SiGe therein and a corresponding application of tension in Si of the first fin portion of each of the fin formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Nicolas J. Loubet, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Publication number: 20180090315
    Abstract: A method is presented for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes depositing a sacrificial layer on a fin structure formed on a substrate and then filled with polysilicon, etching a portion of the polysilicon material via a first etching process, and pre-cleaning the surface native oxide layer. The method further includes etching the remaining polysilicon material via a second etching process, and removing polysilicon etch residue formed adjacent the fin structure by a cleaning process. The pre-cleaning is performed by applying ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) or by applying buffered hydrofluoric acid (BHF). The first etching process is reactive ion etching (RIE) and the second etching process involves applying nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrogen gas (H2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Zhenxing Bi, Donald F. Canaperi, Thamarai S. Devarajan, Nicolas J. Loubet
  • Patent number: 9911656
    Abstract: A method for co-integrating wimpy and nominal devices includes growing source/drain regions on semiconductor material adjacent to a gate structure to form device structures with a non-electrically active material. Selected device structures are masked with a block mask. Unmasked device structures are selectively annealed to increase electrical activity of the non-electrically active material to adjust a threshold voltage between the selected device structures and the unmasked device structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20180053692
    Abstract: A method for co-integrating wimpy and nominal devices includes growing source/drain regions on semiconductor material adjacent to a gate structure to form device structures with a non-electrically active material. Selected device structures are masked with a block mask. Unmasked device structures are selectively annealed to increase electrical activity of the non-electrically active material to adjust a threshold voltage between the selected device structures and the unmasked device structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20180053693
    Abstract: A method for co-integrating wimpy and nominal devices includes growing source/drain regions on semiconductor material adjacent to a gate structure to form device structures with a non-electrically active material. Selected device structures are masked with a block mask. Unmasked device structures are selectively annealed to increase electrical activity of the non-electrically active material to adjust a threshold voltage between the selected device structures and the unmasked device structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20180053691
    Abstract: A method for co-integrating wimpy and nominal devices includes growing source/drain regions on semiconductor material adjacent to a gate structure to form device structures with a non-electrically active material. Selected device structures are masked with a block mask. Unmasked device structures are selectively annealed to increase electrical activity of the non-electrically active material to adjust a threshold voltage between the selected device structures and the unmasked device structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20180053853
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a strain relaxed buffer (SRB) layer atop a supporting substrate, and epitaxially forming a tensile semiconductor material atop a first portion of the strain relaxed buffer layer (SRB) layer. A second portion of the SRB layer is then removed, and a semiconductor material including a base material of silicon and phosphorus is formed atop a surface of the supporting substrate exposed by removing the second portion of the SRB layer. A compressive semiconductor material is epitaxially forming atop the semiconductor material including the base material of silicon and phosphorus. Compressive FinFET structures can then be formed from the compressive semiconductor material and tensile FinFET structures can then be formed from the tensile semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Nicolas J. Loubet, Xin Miao, Alexander Reznicek