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: 20240389468
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, where a cross section of a bottom electrode of the MTJ stack comprises a trapezoid profile. A semiconductor device including a lower word line and a first electrode above and connected to the lower word line, where a cross section of an electrode includes a trapezoid profile. A method including forming a bottom electrode, the bottom electrode includes a tapered side surface including a width at an upper surface of the bottom electrode less than a width at a lower surface of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang, Koichi Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20240389469
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, where a cross section of a bottom electrode of the stack includes a hexagonal profile. A semiconductor device including a lower word line, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack, where a cross section of a first electrode of the MTJ stack comprises a hexagonal profile. A method including forming a bottom electrode, the bottom electrode includes a side surface including a width at a middle section of the bottom electrode greater than a width at a lower surface of the bottom electrode, and the width at the middle section of the bottom electrode greater than a width at an upper surface of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Gabriel Rodriguez, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240332074
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a homogeneous interconnect structure embedded in a dielectric layer, where the homogeneous interconnect structure includes a third region vertically aligned above a second region vertically aligned above a first region, the third region includes three sections: an upper section including a first width; a middle section including an upper horizontal surface including the first width and a lower horizontal surface including a second width; and a lower section including the second width; where the first width is less than the second width; and the second region including a third width at an upper horizontal surface of the second region and a fourth width at a lower horizontal surface of the second region, where the third width is greater than the fourth width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Willie Lester Muchrison, JR., Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 12108685
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises a reference layer of a magnetic random-access memory pillar structure, the reference layer having a first diameter, a free layer of the magnetic random-access memory pillar structure disposed over the reference layer, the free layer having a second diameter, and an electrode layer of the magnetic random-access memory pillar structure disposed over the free layer, the electrode layer having a third diameter. At least two of the first diameter, the second diameter and the third diameter are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Joseph F. Maniscalco, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240304546
    Abstract: A structure including a homogeneous interconnect structure embedded in a dielectric layer, where the homogeneous interconnect structure includes a first region and a second region one above another, where the first region comprises a width which increases relative to height, and where the second region comprises a width which decreases relative to height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240304547
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a wiring structure. The wiring structure includes a metal line in a dielectric layer, where the metal line has a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and, from a bottom to a top thereof, includes at least a first section and a second section, where first and second sidewalls of the first section lean outwards from a bottom to a top of the first section, and first and second sidewalls of the second section lean inwards from a bottom to a top of the second section. A method of manufacturing the wiring structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Linda W Wangoh, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240282630
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure that includes: a plurality of metal wires, and at least one dielectric substrate surrounding the plurality of metal wires. Each of the plurality of metal wires includes a tapered upper portion, a tapered lower portion, and a middle portion between the tapered upper portion and the tapered lower portion that is wider than the tapered upper and lower portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Shanti Pancharatnam, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 12040230
    Abstract: Integrated chips and methods of forming the same include forming a lower conductive line over an underlying layer. An upper conductive via is formed over the lower conducting lines. An encapsulating layer is formed on the lower conductive line and the upper conductive via using a treatment process that converts an outermost layer of the lower conductive line and the upper conductive via into the encapsulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Kenneth C. K. Cheng, Joseph F. Maniscalco, Koichi Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20240237548
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a method of forming a MRAM structure. The method includes forming a dielectric layer on top of a bottom contact; creating an opening in the dielectric layer, the opening has a slant top edge; filling a bottom portion of the opening to form a bottom electrode; filling a top portion of the opening with a first ferromagnetic material to form a first ferromagnetic layer; forming a stack of blanket layers, including a blanket tunnel barrier layer, a blanket second ferromagnetic layer, and a blanket top electrode layer, on top of the first ferromagnetic layer; patterning the stack of blanket layers into a top portion of a magnetic tunnel junction stack that includes a tunnel barrier layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a top electrode; and forming a top contact in contact with the top electrode. A structure formed thereby is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Praneet Adusumilli, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240233793
    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 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang, Koichi Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20240222395
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a semiconductor device array and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device array. The semiconductor device array includes a backside power distribution network (BSPDN), a buried power rail (BPR) in electrical contact with the BSPDN, a device layer, and a backside-connecting via. The device layer includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first spacer, and a second spacer. Further, the first transistor is in electrical contact with the first spacer. Additionally, the second transistor is in electrical contact with the second spacer. Also, the first transistor neighbors the second transistor. Further, the backside-connecting via is in electrical contact with the first transistor, the BPR, the first spacer, and the second spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Tsung-Sheng Kang, Alexander Reznicek, Koichi Motoyama
  • Publication number: 20240213087
    Abstract: A semiconductor interconnect structure and formation thereof. The semiconductor interconnect structure includes a first high aspect ratio metal line. The first high aspect ratio metal line includes a first low aspect ratio line segment and a second low aspect ratio line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Willie Lester Muchrison, JR., Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240213092
    Abstract: A chip is manufactured using a method for forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) layer on an IC chip surface comprises providing a first layer on top of a substrate layer of the IC chip, the first layer comprising a bottom portion of a metallic fill region having a first width as seen in a vertical cross-section of the IC chip. The method further provides a second layer on top of the first layer. The second layer comprises a middle portion of the metallic fill region having a second width that is wider than the bottom portion of the metallic fill region. The method provides a third layer on top of the second layer. The third layer comprises a top portion of the metallic fill region having a third width as seen in the vertical cross-section of the IC chip that is narrower than the middle portion of the metallic fill region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Scott A. DeVries, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240196758
    Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack with a hammerhead profile, including vertically aligned layers of a top electrode, a free layer, a tunneling barrier, a reference layer and a bottom electrode, where the bottom electrode and the reference layer each include a first width, and the top electrode, the free layer and the tunneling barrier, each include a second width greater than the first width. Forming vertically aligned layers of a bottom electrode and a reference layer on the bottom electrode, of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), where the bottom electrode, the reference layer and the hard mask, each include a first width, and separately forming vertically aligned layers of a tunneling barrier, a free layer and a top electrode on the free layer, where the tunneling barrier, the free layer and the top electrode each include a second width, where the second width is greater than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Jennifer Church, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240194587
    Abstract: Dual-damascene fully-aligned via interconnects with divot fill are provided. In one aspect, an interconnect structure includes: a first interlayer dielectric disposed on a wafer; a metal line(s) embedded in the first interlayer dielectric, where a top surface of the metal line(s) is recessed below a top surface of the first interlayer dielectric; a second interlayer dielectric disposed on the first interlayer dielectric; a conductive via(s) embedded in the second interlayer dielectric and aligned with the metal line(s); a barrier layer along a bottom and a first portion of a sidewall of the metal line(s); and a protective dielectric layer along a second portion of the sidewall of the metal line(s), where the barrier layer and the protective dielectric layer fully separate the metal line(s) from the first interlayer dielectric. A metal cap can be disposed on the metal line(s). A method of fabricating an interconnect structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240188448
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar for a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) device, where each material layer of the MTJ pillar resides on a lower material layer of the MTJ pillar with a different width. Embodiments of the present invention provide a top electrode with a tapered shape. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a dielectric encapsulation layer around the reference layer and around the free layer. The dielectric encapsulation material surrounding a sidewall of the reference layer is composed of a different dielectric encapsulation material than the dielectric encapsulation around the sidewall of the free layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240186242
    Abstract: Interconnect wire structures and techniques for fabrication thereof with uniform line profile and height are provided. In one aspect, a structure is provided that includes: a wafer; a first interlayer dielectric disposed on the wafer; a second interlayer dielectric disposed on the first interlayer dielectric; and an interconnect wire(s) embedded in the first interlayer dielectric and the second interlayer dielectric, where a first portion of a top half of the interconnect wire(s) has vertical sidewalls, and where a second portion of the top half of the interconnect wire(s) and a bottom half of the interconnect wire(s) have flared sidewalls. A first barrier layer and a (potentially different) second barrier layer can separate the bottom half and top half of the interconnect wire(s) from the first and second interlayer dielectrics. A method for forming the interconnect wire(s) is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 12002498
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar van der Straten, Koichi Motoyama, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20240180045
    Abstract: MRAM device structures and techniques for fabrication thereof with improved dielectric gapfill and individually configurable bottom and top encapsulation layers are provided. In one aspect, an MRAM device includes: memory cell pillars having a diamond shaped profile; and an interlayer dielectric fully filling gaps between the memory cell pillars. For instance, each of the memory cell pillars can include a reference layer, a free layer, a tunnel barrier between the reference layer and the free layer, a first encapsulation layer alongside the reference layer, and a second encapsulation layer alongside the free layer; and an interlayer dielectric fully filling gaps between the memory cell pillars. Optionally, the first encapsulation layer can include an oxide dielectric material, and the second encapsulation layer can include a nitride dielectric material. A method of fabricating the present MRAM devices is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventor: Oscar van der Straten
  • Publication number: 20240162151
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a shallow trench isolation region extending from a first end surface to a second end surface. The semiconductor device further includes an inner layer dielectric region extending from a third end surface to a fourth end surface. The inner layer dielectric region is arranged such that the fourth end surface is in direct contact with the first end surface. The semiconductor device further includes a transistor arranged in the inner layer dielectric region and a contact via electrically connecting the transistor to a buried power rail. The contact via extends from the second end surface to the third end surface and is narrower at the fourth end surface than at the first end surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander Reznicek, Tsung-Sheng Kang, Koichi Motoyama, Oscar van der Straten