Patents by Inventor Paul Castrovillo

Paul Castrovillo 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).

  • Patent number: 7402512
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20060202283
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure using a metal silicide adhesion layer that is interposed between titanium and titanium nitride (TiN) to promote adhesion of TiN to Ti. The metal silicide adhesion layer created from silicon doped CVD Ti can be deposited over the unreacted Ti after the silicidation reaction or deposited directly on the silicon substrate in place of CVD Ti. The contact structure further includes contact fill that is comprised of TiCl4 based TiN, which affords improved step coverage in the contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Ammar Deraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20060175664
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming metal silicide. A layer consisting essentially of one or more metal nitrides is formed directly against a silicon-containing region. A layer comprising one or more metals is formed over the one or more metal nitrides. Silicon is transferred from the silicon-containing region, through the one or more metal nitrides, and to the one or more metals to convert at least some of the one or more metals into metal silicides. In particular aspects, titanium is formed over tantalum nitride, and the silicon is transferred into the titanium to convert the titanium into titanium silicide. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions having a layer consisting essentially of titanium silicide directly against a layer consisting essentially of tantalum nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Nirmal Ramaswamy, Paul Castrovillo, Joel Drewes
  • Publication number: 20050233577
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6908849
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6858904
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20050032361
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6822299
    Abstract: Conductive contacts in a semiconductor structure, and methods for forming the conductive components are provided. The contacts are useful for providing electrical connection to active components beneath an insulation layer in integrated circuits such as memory devices. The conductive contacts comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and possess a sufficient level adhesion to the insulative layer to eliminate peeling from the sidewalls of the contact opening and cracking of the insulative layer when formed to a thickness of greater than about 200 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6791149
    Abstract: Diffusion barrier film layers and methods of manufacture and use are provided. The films comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and provide an improved diffusion barrier having good adhesive, electrical conductivity, and anti-diffusion properties. The films can be formed on a silicon substrate without an underlying contact layer such as TiSix, an improvement in the fabrication of contacts to shallow junctions and other miniature components of integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6746952
    Abstract: Diffusion barrier film layers and methods of manufacture and use are provided. The films comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and provide an improved diffusion barrier having good adhesive, electrical conductivity, and anti-diffusion properties. The films can be formed on a silicon substrate without an underlying contact layer such as TiSix, an improvement in the fabrication of contacts to shallow junctions and other miniature components of integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Patent number: 6696368
    Abstract: Conductive contacts in a semiconductor structure, and methods for forming the conductive components are provided. The contacts are useful for providing electrical connection to active components beneath an insulation layer in integrated circuits such as memory devices. The conductive contacts comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and possess a sufficient level adhesion to the insulative layer to eliminate peeling from the sidewalls of the contact opening and cracking of the insulative layer when formed to a thickness of greater than about 200 angstroms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030077895
    Abstract: Diffusion barrier film layers and methods of manufacture and use are provided. The films comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and provide an improved diffusion barrier having good adhesive, electrical conductivity, and anti-diffusion properties. The films can be formed on a silicon substrate without an underlying contact layer such as TiSix, an improvement in the fabrication of contacts to shallow junctions and other miniature components of integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030075802
    Abstract: Conductive contacts in a semiconductor structure, and methods for forming the conductive components are provided. The contacts are useful for providing electrical connection to active components beneath an insulation layer in integrated circuits such as memory devices. The conductive contacts comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and possess a sufficient level adhesion to the insulative layer to eliminate peeling from the sidewalls of the contact opening and cracking of the insulative layer when formed to a thickness of greater than about 200 angstroms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030042550
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure formed over a junction region in a silicon substrate comprises a titanium interspersed with titanium silicide layer that is deposited in the contact opening and directly contacts an upper surface of the substrate. Silicon-doping of CVD titanium, from the addition of SiH4 during deposition, reduces consumption of substrate silicon during the subsequent silicidation reaction in which the titanium reacts with silicon to form a titanium silicide layer that provides low resistance electrical contacts between the junction region and the silicon substrate. The contact structure further comprises a titanium nitride contact fill that is deposited in the contact opening and fills substantially the entire contact opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030042614
    Abstract: A high aspect ratio contact structure using a metal silicide adhesion layer that is interposed between titanium and titanium nitride (TiN) to promote adhesion of TiN to Ti. The metal silicide adhesion layer created from silicon doped CVD Ti can be deposited over the unreacted Ti after the silicidation reaction or deposited directly on the silicon substrate in place of CVD Ti. The contact structure further includes contact fill that is comprised of TiCl4 based TiN, which affords improved step coverage in the contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Deraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030042607
    Abstract: Diffusion barrier film layers and methods of manufacture and use are provided. The films comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and provide an improved diffusion barrier having good adhesive, electrical conductivity, and anti-diffusion properties. The films can be formed on a silicon substrate without an underlying contact layer such as TiSix, an improvement in the fabrication of contacts to shallow junctions and other miniature components of integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo
  • Publication number: 20030025206
    Abstract: Conductive contacts in a semiconductor structure, and methods for forming the conductive components are provided. The contacts are useful for providing electrical connection to active components beneath an insulation layer in integrated circuits such as memory devices. The conductive contacts comprise boron-doped TiCl4-based titanium nitride, and possess a sufficient level adhesion to the insulative layer to eliminate peeling from the sidewalls of the contact opening and cracking of the insulative layer when formed to a thickness of greater than about 200 angstroms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ammar Derraa, Sujit Sharan, Paul Castrovillo