Patents by Inventor Paul Schuele

Paul Schuele 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: 6259125
    Abstract: A capacitor for high density DRAM applications comprises a high-∈ capacitor dielectric such as BST or PZT in an arrangement which obviates the need for barrier layers during fabrication. The fabrication process allows for electrode placement by simple sputter deposition and further provides for the possibility of capacitor spacing below that of conventional lithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Fazan, Paul Schuele
  • Patent number: 6165804
    Abstract: A capacitor for high density DRAM applications comprises a high-.di-elect cons. capacitor dielectric such as BST or PZT in an arrangement which obviates the need for barrier layers during fabrication. The fabrication process allows for electrode placement by simple sputter deposition and further provides for the possibility of capacitor spacing below that of conventional lithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Fazan, Paul Schuele
  • Patent number: 5985714
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes, a) providing a node to which electrical connection to a capacitor is to be made; b) providing an electrically conductive first layer over the node; c) providing an electrically insulative barrier second layer over the first conductive layer; d) providing a third layer over the electrically insulative barrier layer, the third layer comprising a material which is either electrically conductive and resistant to oxidation, or forms an electrically conductive material upon oxidation; e) providing an insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer over the electrically conductive third layer; f) providing an electrically conductive fourth layer over the insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer; and g) providing an electrically conductive interconnect to extend over the second insulative layer and electrically interconnect the first and third conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Paul Schuele, Wayne Kinney
  • Patent number: 5955758
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes, a) providing a node to which electrical connection to a capacitor is to be made; b) providing an electrically conductive first layer over the node; c) providing an electrically insulative barrier second layer over the first conductive layer; d) providing a third layer over the electrically insulative barrier layer, the third layer comprising a material which is either electrically conductive and resistant to oxidation, or forms an electrically conductive material upon oxidation; e) providing an insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer over the electrically conductive third layer; f) providing an electrically conductive fourth layer over the insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer; and g) providing an electrically conductive interconnect to extend over the second insulative layer and electrically interconnect the first and third conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Paul Schuele, Wayne Kinney
  • Patent number: 5940676
    Abstract: A capacitor for high density DRAM applications comprises a high-.epsilon. capacitor dielectric such as BST or PZT in an arrangement which obviates the need for barrier layers during fabrication. The fabrication process allows for electrode placement by simple sputter deposition and further provides for the possibility of capacitor spacing below that of conventional lithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Fazan, Paul Schuele
  • Patent number: 5930639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for precision etching of films on in-process integrated circuit wafers. The method is particularly useful for etching films comprising noble metals and is advantageous for use in constructing capacitor electrodes. The method comprises depositing a titanium nitride hard mask over the film to be etched, and thereafter patterning the titanium nitride hard mask with an etchant which is selective to titanium nitride and unselective to the underlying film. The film is then etched using either ion beam milling or reactive ion etching with oxygen as an etching agent. Both etches are highly selective to titanium nitride such that the titanium nitride hard mask can be very thin compared to the film. The presence of the titanium nitride hard mask reduces redeposition problems. Critical dimension control and substantially vertical sidewalls also result from the use of the titanium nitride hard mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Schuele, Brent A. McClure, Thomas M. Graettinger
  • Patent number: 5793076
    Abstract: A capacitor for high density DRAM applications comprises a high-.epsilon. capacitor dielectric such as BST or PZT in an arrangement which obviates the need for barrier layers during fabrication. The fabrication process allows for electrode placement by simple sputter deposition and further provides for the possibility of capacitor spacing below that of conventional lithographic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre C. Fazan, Paul Schuele
  • Patent number: 5654222
    Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes, a) providing a node to which electrical connection to a capacitor is to be made; b) providing an electrically conductive first layer over the node; c) providing an electrically insulative barrier second layer over the first conductive layer; d) providing a third layer over the electrically insulative barrier layer, the third layer comprising a material which is either electrically conductive and resistant to oxidation, or forms an electrically conductive material upon oxidation; e) providing an insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer over the electrically conductive third layer; f) providing an electrically conductive fourth layer over the insulating inorganic metal oxide dielectric layer; and g) providing an electrically conductive interconnect to extend over the second insulative layer and electrically interconnect the first and third conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Paul Schuele, Wayne Kinney