Patents by Inventor Phil C. Paone

Phil C. Paone 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: 20150228757
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device in a gate first process with side gate assists. A first gate may be formed within a gate region. The first gate may include a first gate conductor separated from a semiconductor substrate by a first insulator disposed between the first gate conductor and the semiconductor substrate. A second gate may be formed within the gate region. The second gate may include a second gate conductor separated from a vertical surface of the first gate conductor and the semiconductor substrate by a second insulator. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact may be formed. The first and second electrical contacts may be disposed on opposite ends of the gate region for respectively connecting the first gate conductor and the second gate conductor to a respective voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9099164
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for backing up data in an SRAM device, and an SRAM device that includes a capacitive backup circuit for backing up data in an SRAM device. The method may include writing data to the SRAM cell by applying an input voltage to set an input node of cross-coupled inverters to a memory state. The method may also include backing up the data written to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the input node to the capacitive backup circuit. The method may also include restoring the data stored in the capacitive backup circuit to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the capacitive backup circuit to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9093421
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing field effect transistors (FETs) having a gate within a gate utilizing a replacement metal gate process (RMGP), and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A field effect transistor utilizing a RMGP includes a sacrificial gate in a generally central metal gate region on a dielectric layer on a substrate, a source and drain formed in the substrate, a pair of dielectric spacers, a first metal gate and a second metal gate replacing the sacrificial gate inside the central metal gate region, and a second gate dielectric layer separating the first metal gate and the second metal gate. A respective electrical contact is formed on opposite sides of the central metal gate region for respectively electrically connecting the first metal gate and the second metal gate to a respective voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl L. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150206878
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology enabling enhanced current capability with added device drive strength with buried field effect transistors (FETs) below and beside a traditional FinFET on a bulk substrate, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Buried field effect transistors (FETs) are formed on either side and under the traditional FinFET. The gate of the FinFET becomes the gate of the parallel buried (FETs) and allows self alignment to the underlying sources and drains of the buried FET devices in the bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9059020
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology enabling enhanced current capability with added device drive strength with buried field effect transistors (FETs) below and beside a traditional FinFET on a bulk substrate, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Buried field effect transistors (FETs) are formed on either side and under the traditional FinFET. The gate of the FinFET becomes the gate of the parallel buried (FETs) and allows self alignment to the underlying sources and drains of the buried FET devices in the bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machins Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9059307
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology enabling enhanced current capability with added device drive strength with buried field effect transistors (FETs) below and beside a traditional FinFET on a bulk substrate, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Buried field effect transistors (FETs) are formed on either side and under the traditional FinFET. The gate of the FinFET becomes the gate of the parallel buried (FETs) and allows self alignment to the underlying sources and drains of the buried FET devices in the bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150162266
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a substrate having a frontside and a backside coupled to a ground. The chip includes a circuit in the substrate at the frontside. A through silicon via (TSV) having a front-end, a back-end, and a lateral surface is included. The back-end and lateral surface of the TSV are in the substrate, and the front-end of the TSV is substantially parallel to the frontside of the substrate. The chip also includes an antifuse material deposited between the back-end and lateral surface of the TSV and the substrate. The antifuse material insulates the TSV from the substrate. The chip includes a ground layer insulated from the substrate and coupled with the TSV and the circuit. The ground layer conducts a program voltage to the TSV to cause a portion of the antifuse material to migrate away from the TSV, thereby connecting the circuit to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9053889
    Abstract: Embodiments may include an eFuse cell. The eFuse cell may include an eFuse having a first end and a second end. A blowFET has a first source/drain area, a second source/drain area, and a first gate. The first source/drain area is coupled to the second end of the eFuse, the second source/drain area is coupled to ground, and the first gate is coupled to a first node. The eFuse cell includes a senseFET having a third source/drain area, a fourth source/drain area, and a second gate. The second gate is coupled to the first node, and the third source/drain area is coupled to a second node. The second node is coupled to an operation signal and the second end of the eFuse. The eFuse cell includes a select eFuse logic element having an input to receive a select eFuse signal and an output coupled to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kirihata, Phil C. Paone, Vimal R. Patel, Gregory J. Uhlmann
  • Publication number: 20150155280
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology enabling enhanced current capability with added device drive strength with buried field effect transistors (FETs) below and beside a traditional FinFET on a bulk substrate, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Buried field effect transistors (FETs) are formed on either side and under the traditional FinFET. The gate of the FinFET becomes the gate of the parallel buried (FETs) and allows self alignment to the underlying sources and drains of the buried FET devices in the bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150155206
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology enabling enhanced current capability with added device drive strength with buried field effect transistors (FETs) below and beside a traditional FinFET on a bulk substrate, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. Buried field effect transistors (FETs) are formed on either side and under the traditional FinFET. The gate of the FinFET becomes the gate of the parallel buried (FETs) and allows self alignment to the underlying sources and drains of the buried FET devices in the bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9048123
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin rising out of a semiconductor base. It further includes a second fin rising out of the semiconductor base. The second fin is substantially parallel to the first fin that forms a span between the first fin and the second fin. A first dielectric layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a first gate body area of the first fin, a second gate body area of the second fin, and an adjacent surface of the semiconductor base that defines the span between the first and second gate body areas. A gate electrode layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The semiconductor device includes a third fin interdigitated between the first fin and the second fin within the span. Exposed surfaces of the gate body area of the third fin are in contact with the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150145047
    Abstract: A method and circuit for implementing an enhanced transistor topology with a buried field effect transistor (FET) utilizing the drain of a FinFET as the gate of the new buried FET and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A drain area of the fin area of a FinFET over a buried dielectric layer provides both the drain of the FinFET as well as the gate node of a second field effect transistor. This second field effect transistor is buried in the carrier semiconductor substrate under the buried dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9040406
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a substrate having a frontside and a backside coupled to a ground. The chip includes a circuit in the substrate at the frontside. A through silicon via (TSV) having a front-end, a back-end, and a lateral surface is included. The back-end and lateral surface of the TSV are in the substrate, and the front-end of the TSV is substantially parallel to the frontside of the substrate. The chip also includes an antifuse material deposited between the back-end and lateral surface of the TSV and the substrate. The antifuse material insulates the TSV from the substrate. The chip includes a ground layer insulated from the substrate and coupled with the TSV and the circuit. The ground layer conducts a program voltage to the TSV to cause a portion of the antifuse material to migrate away from the TSV, thereby connecting the circuit to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9024387
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a FinFET with at least two independently controllable FETs on a single fin. The fin may have a body area with a width between two vertical sides, each side has a single FET. The fin also may have a top fin area that is wider than the body area and is electrically independent from the two FETs. The top fin area may be capable of receiving a body contact structure which may be connected to an electrical conductor as to regulate the voltage in the body area of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 9018713
    Abstract: A plural differential pair may include a first semiconductor fin having first and second drain areas. First and second body areas may be disposed on the fin between the first and second drain areas. A source area may be disposed on the fin between the first and second body areas. The plural differential pair may include a first pair of fin field effect (FinFET) transistors and a second pair of FinFET transistors. The plural differential pair may include first and second top fin areas projecting from respective portions of a top side of the first and second body areas of the fin. The first and second top fin areas may each have a width that is wider than the first and second body areas of the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150076615
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first fin rising out of a semiconductor base. It further includes a second fin rising out of the semiconductor base. The second fin is substantially parallel to the first fin that forms a span between the first fin and the second fin. A first dielectric layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a first gate body area of the first fin, a second gate body area of the second fin, and an adjacent surface of the semiconductor base that defines the span between the first and second gate body areas. A gate electrode layer is sandwiched between the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. The semiconductor device includes a third fin interdigitated between the first fin and the second fin within the span. Exposed surfaces of the gate body area of the third fin are in contact with the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8953365
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for backing up data in an SRAM device, and an SRAM device that includes a capacitive backup circuit for backing up data in an SRAM device. The method may include writing data to the SRAM cell by applying an input voltage to set an input node of cross-coupled inverters to a memory state. The method may also include backing up the data written to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the input node to the capacitive backup circuit. The method may also include restoring the data stored in the capacitive backup circuit to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the capacitive backup circuit to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8921199
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a resistor in a dielectric layer of an integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method may include creating a trench with a first side, a second side opposing the first side, and a bottom, in the dielectric layer, and depositing a conformal film onto the first side, the second side and the bottom of the trench. The method may also include removing the conformal film from the bottom and the second side of the trench, and filling the trench with an insulator. The method may also include removing the conformal film from the first side of the trench to form a receptacle adjacent to the insulator, and depositing electrically resistive material into the receptacle to form a resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140362635
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for backing up data in an SRAM device, and an SRAM device that includes a capacitive backup circuit for backing up data in an SRAM device. The method may include writing data to the SRAM cell by applying an input voltage to set an input node of cross-coupled inverters to a memory state. The method may also include backing up the data written to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the input node to the capacitive backup circuit. The method may also include restoring the data stored in the capacitive backup circuit to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the capacitive backup circuit to the input node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20140362636
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for backing up data in an SRAM device, and an SRAM device that includes a capacitive backup circuit for backing up data in an SRAM device. The method may include writing data to the SRAM cell by applying an input voltage to set an input node of cross-coupled inverters to a memory state. The method may also include backing up the data written to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the input node to the capacitive backup circuit. The method may also include restoring the data stored in the capacitive backup circuit to the SRAM cell by electrically coupling the capacitive backup circuit to the input node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl R. Erickson, Phil C. Paone, David P. Paulsen, John E. Sheets, II, Gregory J. Uhlmann, Kelly L. Williams