Patents by Inventor Oscar van der Straten

Oscar van der Straten 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: 20240135978
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction cell, a cross section with octagon profile, vertically aligned layers of a top electrode, a free layer, a tunneling barrier, a reference layer, a bottom electrode with tapered side surface with a width at an upper surface greater than a width at a lower surface, the reference layer with vertical side surface perpendicular to an upper horizontal surface of the bottom electrode, the free layer and the tunneling barrier, each include a tapered side surface of the same angle, and each include a width at an upper surface less than a width at a lower surface. Forming a bottom electrode of a magnetic tunnel junction cell with a tapered side surface with a width at an upper surface greater than a width at a lower surface, forming a reference layer with vertical side surface perpendicular to an upper surface of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang, Koichi Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20240130245
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes forming a sacrificial dielectric layer on top of a bottom contact; forming a stack of a first ferromagnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and at least one hard mask on top of the sacrificial dielectric layer; forming an interlevel-dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the stack; creating one or more via holes in the ILD layer to expose the sacrificial dielectric layer; selectively removing the sacrificial dielectric layer to create an opening underneath the first ferromagnetic layer; filling the opening with a first conductive material to form a bottom electrode; removing the at least one hard mask to expose the second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a top electrode of a second conductive material on top of the second ferromagnetic layer. An MRAM structure formed thereby is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240130244
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes forming a blanket first ferromagnetic layer on top of a bottom electrode; etching the blanket first ferromagnetic layer to form a first ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer having an upper portion that has an angled edge and a lower portion that has a vertical edge; forming a blanket tunnel barrier layer on top of the first ferromagnetic layer and a blanket second ferromagnetic layer on top of the blanket tunnel barrier layer; patterning the blanket tunnel barrier layer and the blanket second ferromagnetic layer to form a tunnel barrier layer and a second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a top electrode on top of the second ferromagnetic layer. A MRAM structure formed thereby is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240128191
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a backside power rail disposed in a backside dielectric layer, and dielectric spacer layers laterally extending inwardly from opposing sidewalls of the backside dielectric layer and on a portion of a bottom surface of the backside power rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Tsung-Sheng Kang, Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20240113018
    Abstract: A wire interconnect, a wire interconnect structure, and a method to form wire interconnect structures with locally widened profiles. The wire interconnect may include a first portion of the wire interconnect with a first width. The wire interconnect may also include a second portion of the wire interconnect with a second width, where the second width is greater than the first width, and where the second portion of the wire interconnect is above the first portion of the wire interconnect. The wire interconnect may also include a third portion of the wire interconnect with a third width, where the third width is less than the second width, and where the third portion of the wire interconnect is above the second portion of the wire interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Scott A. DeVries, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240112986
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor having a source/drain region and a contact disposed on the source/drain region. The semiconductor device further includes a via extending from the contact along a side of the source/drain region to a power element. The contact and the via each comprise a plurality of conductive materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Alexander Reznicek, Tsung-Sheng Kang, Oscar van der Straten
  • Publication number: 20240107894
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack vertically aligned between an annular shaped bottom electrode and an annular shaped top electrode. A semiconductor device including a MTJ stack, vertically aligned between an annular shaped bottom electrode and an annular shaped top electrode, and an encapsulation layer surrounding vertical side surfaces of the MTJ stack, wherein the encapsulation layer does not surround the top electrode nor the bottom electrode. Forming a bottom electrode in a first inter-layer dielectric, forming a reference layer on the first inter-layer dielectric and on the bottom electrode, forming a tunnel barrier layer on the reference layer, forming a free layer on the tunnel barrier layer and patterning the reference layer, the tunnel barrier layer and the free layer into a magnetic tunnel function (MTJ) stack vertically aligned over the bottom electrode, while not patterning the bottom electrode nor the first inter-layer dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Shanti Pancharatnam, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240105620
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a diffusion barrier layer disposed on exterior surfaces of an opening in a dielectric layer. A top surface of the diffusion barrier layer is below a top surface of the opening. A liner layer is disposed on a bottom surface and sidewalls of the diffusion barrier layer. A spacer layer is disposed on the top surface of the diffusion barrier layer and the liner layer and exposed sidewalls of the opening. An interconnect metal is disposed on the liner layer and the spacer layer. A metal cap is disposed on the interconnect metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240087957
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a contact comprising a first section and a second section; wherein the first section of the contact is located on a front side of a source or drain; wherein the second section extends from the front side of the source or drain to a backside of the source or drain; wherein the second section of the contact is comprised of a via and a connection area; wherein the via has a first width and the connection area has a second width, and wherein the second width is larger than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Tsung-Sheng Kang, Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20240090337
    Abstract: A method to form a semiconductor structure for a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) device where the material for the top electrode and the bottom electrode is deposited in a single process. The method includes conformally depositing an electrode material over a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar, under the MTJ pillar, around a spacer encapsulating and extending above the MTJ pillar. The method includes recessing the electrode material to form a thinner portion of the electrode material over the MTJ pillar. The thinner portion of the electrode material forms a thinner portion of the electrode material over the MTJ pillar that is a top electrode. The portion of the electrode material under the MTJ pillar forms a bottom electrode that is thicker than the top electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11887641
    Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. An amorphous dielectric hardmask is in contact with a first portion of an uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar. A first portion of a metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the amorphous dielectric hardmask and in contact with a second portion of the uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the amorphous dielectric hardmask for providing the top electrode. A dielectric underlayer is in contact with a first portion of a bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar, while a second portion of the metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the dielectric underlayer. The second portion of the metal layer is in contact with a second portion of the bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the dielectric underlayer for providing the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240032435
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes patterning a bottom electrode layer and a first ferromagnetic layer on top of the bottom electrode layer; depositing a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer covering the bottom electrode layer and the first ferromagnetic layer; creating an opening in the dielectric layer, the opening exposing a portion of the first ferromagnetic layer; forming a tunnel barrier layer inside the opening; forming a second ferromagnetic layer on top of the tunnel barrier layer; patterning the tunnel barrier layer and the second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a top electrode layer on top of the second ferromagnetic layer. Structures formed thereby are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240032436
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack; forming a first dielectric layer to a level above a tunnel barrier layer of the MTJ stack, the first dielectric layer partially covering the MTJ stack with a top surface of the MTJ stack being exposed; depositing an etch-stop layer covering the top surface of the MTJ stack and a top surface of the first dielectric layer; depositing a second dielectric layer covering the etch-stop layer; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer; removing a portion of the etch-stop layer above the top surface of the MTJ stack; and forming a top contact by depositing a conductive material in the opening. An MRAM structure formed thereby is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240032438
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes forming a bottom electrode layer surrounded by a bottom dielectric layer; forming an etch-stop layer on top of the bottom electrode layer and the bottom dielectric layer; creating an opening in the etch-stop layer to expose a top surface of the bottom electrode layer; forming a first ferromagnetic layer on top of the bottom electrode layer and the etch-stop layer, with a portion of the first ferromagnetic layer filling the opening in the etch-stop layer; forming a tunnel barrier layer and a second ferromagnetic layer on top of the first ferromagnetic layer; patterning the second ferromagnetic layer, the tunnel barrier layer, and the first ferromagnetic layer; and forming a top electrode layer on top of the second ferromagnetic layer. A structure formed thereby is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230422629
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, where a vertical side surface of a bottom electrode of the MTJ stack is surrounded by an oxide, where the bottom electrode and the oxide are horizontally aligned. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, where a vertical side surface of a bottom electrode of the MTJ stack and a metal spacer below the bottom electrode is surrounded by an oxide, where an upper surface of the bottom electrode is horizontally aligned with a horizontal upper surface of the oxide, where a lower surface of the metal spacer is horizontally aligned with a horizontal lower surface of the oxide. Forming a metal spacer above and vertically aligned with a lower metal line surrounded by a dielectric, and forming a metal layer on the metal spacer and dielectric with a high temperature deposition of the metal layer, where the metal layer oxidizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Lisamarie White, Willie Lester Muchrison, JR., Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230422630
    Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction pillar located between, and electrically connected to, a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The magnetic tunnel junction pillar is composed of a plurality of device layers vertically stacked above the bottom electrode. Each of the plurality of device layers, the top electrode, and the bottom electrode is formed at a first bevel angle. A bottommost portion of each of the plurality of device layers in the magnetic tunnel junction pillar has a width that is greater than a width of a topmost portion of each preceding device layer. An encapsulation layer is disposed along opposite sidewalls of the top electrode, opposite sidewalls of the bottom electrode, and opposite sidewalls of each of the plurality of device layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang, Praneet Adusumilli
  • Publication number: 20230403947
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, a vertical side surface of the MTJ stack includes a saw tooth edge, the MTJ stack includes vertically aligned layers of a top electrode, a free layer, a tunneling barrier, a reference layer and a bottom electrode, the free layer of the MTJ stack has a tapered edge including a first width at an upper portion of the free layer and a second width at a lower portion of the free layer, the first width is greater than the second width. Forming a first bottom electrode of a first MTJ stack, a second bottom electrode of a second MTJ stack, a first inter-layer dielectric between the first and the second bottom electrode, a first reference layer of the first MTJ stack, a second reference layer of the second MTJ stack, a second inter-layer dielectric between the first reference layer and the second reference layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230402079
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor structure with a first magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) pillar with a bottom electrode layer, a reference layer connected above the bottom electrode layer, a free layer, and a tunnel barrier between the reference layer and the free layer. The MRAM pillar includes a pillar diameter. The semiconductor structure also includes a coaxial top electrode with a top diameter that is less than the pillar diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230402078
    Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. An amorphous dielectric hardmask is in contact with a first portion of an uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar. A first portion of a metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the amorphous dielectric hardmask and in contact with a second portion of the uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the amorphous dielectric hardmask for providing the top electrode. A dielectric underlayer is in contact with a first portion of a bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar, while a second portion of the metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the dielectric underlayer. The second portion of the metal layer is in contact with a second portion of the bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the dielectric underlayer for providing the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230389434
    Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction pillar above a bottom electrode. A sidewall spacer is disposed along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar with an uppermost surface of the sidewall spacer being coplanar with an uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar. A dielectric hardmask composed of an amorphous dielectric material is disposed above a first portion of the uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar, the dielectric hardmask includes a hemispherical shape. A top electrode is located surrounding the dielectric hardmask and above the uppermost surface of the sidewall spacer and a second portion of the uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar extending outwards from the dielectric hardmask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Scott A. DeVries, Chih-Chao Yang