Patents by Inventor Patrick B. Shea
Patrick B. Shea 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).
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Publication number: 20250048719Abstract: A method of integrating a phase change switch (PCS) into a Bipolar (Bi)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) (BiCMOS) process, comprises providing a base structure including BiCMOS circuitry on a semiconductor substrate, and forming on the base structure a dielectric contact window layer having metal through-plugs that contact the BiCMOS circuitry. The method includes constructing the PCS on the contact window layer. The PCS includes: a phase change region, between ohmic contacts on the phase change region, to operate as a switch controlled by heat. The method further includes forming, on the contact window layer and the PCS, a stack of alternating patterned metal layers and dielectric layers that interconnect the patterned metal layers, such that the stack connects a first of the ohmic contacts to the BiCMOS circuitry and provides connections to a second of the ohmic contacts and to the resistive heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2024Publication date: February 6, 2025Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
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Patent number: 12150316Abstract: A method of integrating a phase change switch (PCS) into a Bipolar (Bi)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) (BiCMOS) process, comprises providing a base structure including BiCMOS circuitry on a semiconductor substrate, and forming on the base structure a dielectric contact window layer having metal through-plugs that contact the BiCMOS circuitry. The method includes constructing the PCS on the contact window layer. The PCS includes: a phase change region, between ohmic contacts on the phase change region, to operate as a switch controlled by heat. The method further includes forming, on the contact window layer and the PCS, a stack of alternating patterned metal layers and dielectric layers that interconnect the patterned metal layers, such that the stack connects a first of the ohmic contacts to the BiCMOS circuitry and provides connections to a second of the ohmic contacts and to the resistive heater.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
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Publication number: 20230056901Abstract: A method of integrating a phase change switch (PCS) into a Bipolar (Bi)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) (BiCMOS) process, comprises providing a base structure including BiCMOS circuitry on a semiconductor substrate, and forming on the base structure a dielectric contact window layer having metal through-plugs that contact the BiCMOS circuitry. The method includes constructing the PCS on the contact window layer. The PCS includes: a phase change region, between ohmic contacts on the phase change region, to operate as a switch controlled by heat. The method further includes forming, on the contact window layer and the PCS, a stack of alternating patterned metal layers and dielectric layers that interconnect the patterned metal layers, such that the stack connects a first of the ohmic contacts to the BiCMOS circuitry and provides connections to a second of the ohmic contacts and to the resistive heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
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Patent number: 11522010Abstract: A method of integrating a phase change switch (PCS) into a Bipolar (Bi)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) (BiCMOS) process, comprises providing a base structure including BiCMOS circuitry on a semiconductor substrate, and forming on the base structure a dielectric contact window layer having metal through-plugs that contact the BiCMOS circuitry. The method includes constructing the PCS on the contact window layer. The PCS includes: a phase change region, between ohmic contacts on the phase change region, to operate as a switch controlled by heat. The method further includes forming, on the contact window layer and the PCS, a stack of alternating patterned metal layers and dielectric layers that interconnect the patterned metal layers, such that the stack connects a first of the ohmic contacts to the BiCMOS circuitry and provides connections to a second of the ohmic contacts and to the resistive heater.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
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Publication number: 20210057487Abstract: A method of integrating a phase change switch (PCS) into a Bipolar (Bi)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) (BiCMOS) process, comprises providing a base structure including BiCMOS circuitry on a semiconductor substrate, and forming on the base structure a dielectric contact window layer having metal through-plugs that contact the BiCMOS circuitry. The method includes constructing the PCS on the contact window layer. The PCS includes: a phase change region, between ohmic contacts on the phase change region, to operate as a switch controlled by heat. The method further includes forming, on the contact window layer and the PCS, a stack of alternating patterned metal layers and dielectric layers that interconnect the patterned metal layers, such that the stack connects a first of the ohmic contacts to the BiCMOS circuitry and provides connections to a second of the ohmic contacts and to the resistive heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
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Patent number: 10069093Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: James T. Kelliher, Monica P. Lilly, Robert S. Howell, Wayne Stephen Miller, Patrick B. Shea, Matthew J. Walker, William J. Sweet
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Publication number: 20180123063Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES T. KELLIHER, MONICA P. LILLY, ROBERT S. HOWELL, WAYNE STEPHEN MILLER, PATRICK B. SHEA, MATTHEW J. WALKER, WILLIAM J. SWEET
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Patent number: 9812445Abstract: A method is provided of forming a bipolar transistor device. The method comprises depositing a collector dielectric layer over a substrate in a collector active region, depositing a dielectric anti-reflective (DARC) layer over the collector dielectric layer, dry etching away a base opening in the DARC layer, and wet etching away a portion of the collector dielectric layer in the base opening to provide an extended base opening to the substrate. The method further comprises performing a base deposition to form a base epitaxy region in the extended base opening and extending over first and second portions of the DARC layer that remains as a result of the dry etching away the base opening in the DARC layer, and forming an emitter region over the base epitaxy region.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
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Publication number: 20170309618Abstract: A method is provided of forming a bipolar transistor device. The method comprises depositing a collector dielectric layer over a substrate in a collector active region, depositing a dielectric anti-reflective (DARC) layer over the collector dielectric layer, dry etching away a base opening in the DARC layer, and wet etching away a portion of the collector dielectric layer in the base opening to provide an extended base opening to the substrate. The method further comprises performing a base deposition to form a base epitaxy region in the extended base opening and extending over first and second portions of the DARC layer that remains as a result of the dry etching away the base opening in the DARC layer, and forming an emitter region over the base epitaxy region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
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Patent number: 9748506Abstract: One example includes a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device include a carbon nanotube substrate, a self-assembled monolayer, and a gate oxide. The self-assembled monolayer overlies the carbon nanotube substrate and is comprised of molecules each including a tail group, a carbon backbone, and a head group. The gate oxide overlies the self-assembled monolayer, wherein the self-assembled monolayer forms an interface between the carbon nanotube substrate and the gate oxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: James T. Kelliher, Monica P. Lilly, Robert S. Howell, Wayne Stephen Miller, Patrick B. Shea, Matthew J. Walker, William J. Sweet
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Patent number: 9646259Abstract: A Josephson junction (JJ) quantum bit (qubits) arranged on a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, each qubit comprises a dielectric layer, a superconductor base layer portion underlying the dielectric layer and a first dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor base layer portion junction. The qubit further comprise a superconductor mesa layer portion overlying the dielectric layer and having a second dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor mesa layer portion junction, the first and second dielectric diffused regions mitigating further diffusion from other semiconductor processes on the plurality of qubits.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
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Patent number: 9355362Abstract: Methods are provided of forming a Josephson junction (JJ) quantum bit (qubit). In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a JJ trilayer on a substrate. The JJ trilayer is comprised of a dielectric layer sandwiched between a bottom superconductor material layer and a top superconductor material layer. The method further comprises performing a thermal hardening process on the JJ trilayer to control diffusion of the dielectric layer into the bottom superconductor material layer and the top superconductor material layer, and etching openings in the JJ trilayer to form one or more JJ qubits.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
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Publication number: 20150357448Abstract: A method is provided of forming a bipolar transistor device. The method comprises depositing a collector dielectric layer over a substrate in a collector active region, depositing a dielectric anti-reflective (DARC) layer over the collector dielectric layer, dry etching away a base opening in the DARC layer, and wet etching away a portion of the collector dielectric layer in the base opening to provide an extended base opening to the substrate. The method further comprises performing a base deposition to form a base epitaxy region in the extended base opening and extending over first and second portions of the DARC layer that remains as a result of the dry etching away the base opening in the DARC layer, and forming an emitter region over the base epitaxy region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
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Patent number: 9142546Abstract: A method is provided of forming a bipolar transistor device. The method comprises depositing a collector dielectric layer over a substrate in a collector active region, depositing a dielectric anti-reflective (DARC) layer over the collector dielectric layer, dry etching away a base opening in the DARC layer, and wet etching away a portion of the collector dielectric layer in the base opening to provide an extended base opening to the substrate. The method further comprises performing a base deposition to form a base epitaxy region in the extended base opening and extending over first and second portions of the DARC layer that remains as a result of the dry etching away the base opening in the DARC layer, and forming an emitter region over the base epitaxy region.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Patrick B. Shea, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
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Publication number: 20150162322Abstract: A method is provided of forming a bipolar transistor device. The method comprises depositing a collector dielectric layer over a substrate in a collector active region, depositing a dielectric anti-reflective (DARC) layer over the collector dielectric layer, dry etching away a base opening in the DARC layer, and wet etching away a portion of the collector dielectric layer in the base opening to provide an extended base opening to the substrate. The method further comprises performing a base deposition to form a base epitaxy region in the extended base opening and extending over first and second portions of the DARC layer that remains as a result of the dry etching away the base opening in the DARC layer, and forming an emitter region over the base epitaxy region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, MICHAEL RENNIE, SANDRO J. DI GIACOMO
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Publication number: 20140357493Abstract: A Josephson junction (JJ) quantum bit (qubits) arranged on a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, each qubit comprises a dielectric layer, a superconductor base layer portion underlying the dielectric layer and a first dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor base layer portion junction. The qubit further comprise a superconductor mesa layer portion overlying the dielectric layer and having a second dielectric diffused region adjacent a dielectric layer/superconductor mesa layer portion junction, the first and second dielectric diffused regions mitigating further diffusion from other semiconductor processes on the plurality of qubits.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, ERICA C. FOLK, DANIEL J. EWING, JOHN J. TALVACCHIO
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Patent number: 8735326Abstract: Methods of forming superconducting devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise depositing a protective barrier layer over a superconducting material layer, curing the protective barrier layer, depositing a photoresist material layer over the protective barrier layer and irradiating and developing the photoresist material layer to form an opening pattern in the photoresist material layer. The method can further comprise etching the protective barrier layer to form openings in the protective barrier layer based on the opening pattern, etching the superconductor material layer based on the openings in the protective barrier layer to form openings in the superconductor material layer that define a first set of superconductor material raised portins and stripping the photoresist material layer and the protective barrier layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Erica Folk, Patrick B. Shea, Andrew C. Loyd
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Publication number: 20130119351Abstract: Methods are provided of forming a Josephson junction (JJ) quantum bit (qubit). In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a JJ trilayer on a substrate. The JJ trilayer is comprised of a dielectric layer sandwiched between a bottom superconductor material layer and a top superconductor material layer. The method further comprises performing a thermal hardening process on the JJ trilayer to control diffusion of the dielectric layer into the bottom superconductor material layer and the top superconductor material layer, and etching openings in the JJ trilayer to form one or more JJ qubits.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
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Publication number: 20110287944Abstract: Methods of forming superconducting devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise depositing a protective barrier layer over a superconducting material layer, curing the protective barrier layer, depositing a photoresist material layer over the protective barrier layer and irradiating and developing the photoresist material layer to form an opening pattern in the photoresist material layer. The method can further comprise etching the protective barrier layer to form openings in the protective barrier layer based on the opening pattern, etching the superconductor material layer based on the openings in the protective barrier layer to form openings in the superconductor material layer that define a first set of superconductor material raised portins and stripping the photoresist material layer and the protective barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Erica Folk, Patrick B. Shea, Andrew C. Loyd