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).

  • Publication number: 20250048719
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
  • Patent number: 12150316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
  • Publication number: 20230056901
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
  • Patent number: 11522010
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
  • Publication number: 20210057487
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Robert M. Young, Keith H. Chung, Andris Ezis, Ishan Wathuthanthri
  • Patent number: 10069093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Kelliher, Monica P. Lilly, Robert S. Howell, Wayne Stephen Miller, Patrick B. Shea, Matthew J. Walker, William J. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20180123063
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES T. KELLIHER, MONICA P. LILLY, ROBERT S. HOWELL, WAYNE STEPHEN MILLER, PATRICK B. SHEA, MATTHEW J. WALKER, WILLIAM J. SWEET
  • Patent number: 9812445
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Publication number: 20170309618
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Patent number: 9748506
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Kelliher, Monica P. Lilly, Robert S. Howell, Wayne Stephen Miller, Patrick B. Shea, Matthew J. Walker, William J. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9646259
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
  • Patent number: 9355362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
  • Publication number: 20150357448
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Patent number: 9142546
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Michael Rennie, Sandro J. Di Giacomo
  • Publication number: 20150162322
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, MICHAEL RENNIE, SANDRO J. DI GIACOMO
  • Publication number: 20140357493
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK B. SHEA, ERICA C. FOLK, DANIEL J. EWING, JOHN J. TALVACCHIO
  • Patent number: 8735326
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Erica Folk, Patrick B. Shea, Andrew C. Loyd
  • Publication number: 20130119351
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick B. Shea, Erica C. Folk, Daniel J. Ewing, John J. Talvacchio
  • Publication number: 20110287944
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Erica Folk, Patrick B. Shea, Andrew C. Loyd