Patents by Inventor Ralf van Bentum

Ralf van Bentum 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: 20230209795
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to SRAM bit cells and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a p-FET gate structure including p-FET work function material and an n-FET gate structure including the p-FET work function material. Alternatively, the p-FET gate structure includes n-FET work function material, and the n-FET gate structure includes p-FET work function material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Ralf van BENTUM, Karsten FLECK
  • Patent number: 10504906
    Abstract: A method of forming a finFET SRAM and related device, are provided. Embodiments include forming a plurality of silicon fins in a substrate; and forming a gate over each of the fins, wherein all of the fins are diagonally skewed in a single direction relative to the gates, and all of the gates extend in a single direction relative to the respective fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Cheng Chang, Nigel Chan, Ralf Van Bentum
  • Publication number: 20190172832
    Abstract: A method of forming a finFET SRAM and related device, are provided. Embodiments include forming a plurality of silicon fins in a substrate; and forming a gate over each of the fins, wherein all of the fins are diagonally skewed in a single direction relative to the gates, and all of the gates extend in a single direction relative to the respective fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Ming-Cheng Chang, Nigel Chan, Ralf Van Bentum
  • Patent number: 9536992
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a first transistor region, a second transistor region and a silicon dioxide layer on the first transistor region and the second transistor region. A layer of a high-k dielectric material is deposited on the silicon dioxide layer. A layer of a first metal is formed over the second transistor region. The layer of first metal does not cover the first transistor region. After the formation of the layer of the first metal, a layer of a second metal is deposited over the first transistor region and the second transistor region. A first annealing process is performed. The first annealing process initiates a scavenging reaction between the second metal and silicon dioxide from a portion of the silicon dioxide layer on the first transistor region. After the annealing process, a ferroelectric transistor dielectric is formed over the first transistor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Jongsin Yun, Seunghwan Seo, Joerg Schmid
  • Publication number: 20160247811
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a split gate nonvolatile memory cell and a high voltage transistor. The nonvolatile memory cell includes an active region, a nonvolatile memory stack provided above the active region, a control gate electrode provided above the memory stack, a select gate electrode at least partially provided above the active region adjacent to the memory stack and a select gate insulation layer. The high voltage transistor includes an active region, a gate electrode and a gate insulation layer provided between the active region and the gate electrode. The select gate insulation layer of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate insulation layer of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same high-k dielectric material. The select gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate electrode of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Igor Lusetsky, Ralf van Bentum
  • Patent number: 9412600
    Abstract: An illustrative method disclosed herein includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A first protection layer is formed over the semiconductor structure. The first protection layer covers the logic transistor region and the input/output transistor region. At least a portion of the ferroelectric transistor region is not covered by the first protection layer. After the formation of the first protection layer, a ferroelectric transistor dielectric is deposited over the semiconductor structure, the ferroelectric transistor dielectric and the first protection layer are removed from the logic transistor region and the input/output transistor region, an input/output transistor dielectric is formed over the input/output transistor region and a logic transistor dielectric is formed over at least the logic transistor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Gunter Grasshoff
  • Patent number: 9368605
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a split gate nonvolatile memory cell and a high voltage transistor. The nonvolatile memory cell includes an active region, a nonvolatile memory stack provided above the active region, a control gate electrode provided above the memory stack, a select gate electrode at least partially provided above the active region adjacent to the memory stack and a select gate insulation layer. The high voltage transistor includes an active region, a gate electrode and a gate insulation layer provided between the active region and the gate electrode. The select gate insulation layer of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate insulation layer of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same high-k dielectric material. The select gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate electrode of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Lusetsky, Ralf van Bentum
  • Publication number: 20160163821
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a first transistor region, a second transistor region and a silicon dioxide layer on the first transistor region and the second transistor region. A layer of a high-k dielectric material is deposited on the silicon dioxide layer. A layer of a first metal is formed over the second transistor region. The layer of first metal does not cover the first transistor region. After the formation of the layer of the first metal, a layer of a second metal is deposited over the first transistor region and the second transistor region. A first annealing process is performed. The first annealing process initiates a scavenging reaction between the second metal and silicon dioxide from a portion of the silicon dioxide layer on the first transistor region. After the annealing process, a ferroelectric transistor dielectric is formed over the first transistor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Jongsin Yun, Seunghwan Seo, Joerg Schmid
  • Patent number: 9293556
    Abstract: An illustrative semiconductor structure described herein includes a substrate including a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A logic transistor is provided at the logic transistor region. The logic transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. An input/output transistor is provided at the input/output transistor region. The input/output transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The gate dielectric of the input/output transistor has a greater thickness than the gate dielectric of the logic transistor. A ferroelectric transistor is provided at the ferroelectric transistor region. The ferroelectric transistor includes a ferroelectric dielectric and a gate electrode. The ferroelectric dielectric is arranged between the ferroelectric transistor region and the gate electrode of the ferroelectric transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Jongsin Yun, Seunghwan Seo, Joerg Schmid
  • Patent number: 9293189
    Abstract: Integrated circuits that include SRAM cells having additional read stacks are provided. In accordance with one embodiment an integrated circuit includes a memory storage array of memory cells. The integrated circuit includes a read stack coupled to each memory cell of the memory storage array. Each read stack includes a read pull-down transistor having a first threshold voltage, and a read pass gate transistor coupled in series with the read pull down transistor and having a second threshold voltage greater than the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Torsten Klick
  • Publication number: 20160064228
    Abstract: An illustrative method disclosed herein includes providing a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A first protection layer is formed over the semiconductor structure. The first protection layer covers the logic transistor region and the input/output transistor region. At least a portion of the ferroelectric transistor region is not covered by the first protection layer. After the formation of the first protection layer, a ferroelectric transistor dielectric is deposited over the semiconductor structure, the ferroelectric transistor dielectric and the first protection layer are removed from the logic transistor region and the input/output transistor region, an input/output transistor dielectric is formed over the input/output transistor region and a logic transistor dielectric is formed over at least the logic transistor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Gunter Grasshoff
  • Publication number: 20160035856
    Abstract: An illustrative semiconductor structure described herein includes a substrate including a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A logic transistor is provided at the logic transistor region. The logic transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. An input/output transistor is provided at the input/output transistor region. The input/output transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The gate dielectric of the input/output transistor has a greater thickness than the gate dielectric of the logic transistor. A ferroelectric transistor is provided at the ferroelectric transistor region. The ferroelectric transistor includes a ferroelectric dielectric and a gate electrode. The ferroelectric dielectric is arranged between the ferroelectric transistor region and the gate electrode of the ferroelectric transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Jongsin Yun, Seunghwan Seo, Joerg Schmid
  • Publication number: 20150078068
    Abstract: Integrated circuits that include SRAM cells having additional read stacks are provided. In accordance with one embodiment an integrated circuit includes a memory storage array of memory cells. The integrated circuit includes a read stack coupled to each memory cell of the memory storage array. Each read stack includes a read pull-down transistor having a first threshold voltage, and a read pass gate transistor coupled in series with the read pull down transistor and having a second threshold voltage greater than the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Torsten Klick
  • Publication number: 20150060983
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a split gate nonvolatile memory cell and a high voltage transistor. The nonvolatile memory cell includes an active region, a nonvolatile memory stack provided above the active region, a control gate electrode provided above the memory stack, a select gate electrode at least partially provided above the active region adjacent to the memory stack and a select gate insulation layer. The high voltage transistor includes an active region, a gate electrode and a gate insulation layer provided between the active region and the gate electrode. The select gate insulation layer of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate insulation layer of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same high-k dielectric material. The select gate electrode of the nonvolatile memory device and the gate electrode of the high voltage transistor are at least partially formed of a same metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Lusetsky, Ralf van Bentum
  • Patent number: 8921197
    Abstract: Integrated circuits that include SRAM cells having additional read stacks and methods for their fabrication are provided. In accordance with one embodiment a method for fabricating such an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of SRAM cells in and on a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of SRAM cells including a read pull down transistor and a read pass gate transistor. First conductivity-determining impurity ions are implanted to establish a first threshold voltage in each of the read pull down transistors; and second conductivity-determining impurity ions are implanted to establish a second threshold voltage different than the first threshold voltage in each of the read pass gate transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Torsten Klick
  • Patent number: 8697530
    Abstract: By modifying the dielectric liner for a spacer structure so as to exhibit an enhanced diffusion blocking characteristic, for instance by incorporating nitrogen, the out-diffusion of P-dopants, such as boron, into the dielectric material may be significantly reduced. Consequently, transistor performance, especially of P-type transistors, may be significantly enhanced while nevertheless a high degree of compatibility with conventional techniques may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Ekkehard Pruefer, Ralf Van Bentum, Klaus Hempel, Stephan Kruegel
  • Publication number: 20140078817
    Abstract: Integrated circuits that include SRAM cells having additional read stacks and methods for their fabrication are provided. In accordance with one embodiment a method for fabricating such an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of SRAM cells in and on a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of SRAM cells including a read pull down transistor and a read pass gate transistor. First conductivity-determining impurity ions are implanted to establish a first threshold voltage in each of the read pull down transistors; and second conductivity-determining impurity ions are implanted to establish a second threshold voltage different than the first threshold voltage in each of the read pass gate transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Torsten Klick
  • Patent number: 8431455
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a memory device. In one example, the method includes performing a first ion implantation process with dopant atoms of a first type to partially form extension implant regions for a pull-down transistor and to fully form extension implant regions for a pass gate transistor of the memory device and, after performing the first ion implantation process, forming a first masking layer that masks the pass gate transistor and exposes the pull-down transistor to further processing. The method concludes with the step of performing a second ion implantation process with dopant atoms of the first type to introduce additional dopant atoms into the extension implant regions for the pull-down transistor that were formed during the first ion implantation process while masking the pass gate transistor from the second ion implantation process with the first masking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Globalfoundries Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Nihar-Ranjan Mohapatra
  • Publication number: 20120329220
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a memory device. In one example, the method includes performing a first ion implantation process with dopant atoms of a first type to partially form extension implant regions for a pull-down transistor and to fully form extension implant regions for a pass gate transistor of the memory device and, after performing the first ion implantation process, forming a first masking layer that masks the pass gate transistor and exposes the pull-down transistor to further processing. The method concludes with the step of performing a second ion implantation process with dopant atoms of the first type to introduce additional dopant atoms into the extension implant regions for the pull-down transistor that were formed during the first ion implantation process while masking the pass gate transistor from the second ion implantation process with the first masking layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Ralf van Bentum, Nihar-Ranjan Mohapatra
  • Patent number: 8158486
    Abstract: By locally heating isolation trenches with different annealing conditions, a different magnitude of intrinsic stress may be obtained in different isolation trenches. In some illustrative embodiments, the different anneal temperature may be achieved on the basis of an appropriate mask layer, which may provide a patterned optical response for a lamp-based or laser-based anneal process. Consequently, the intrinsic stress of isolation trenches may be specifically adapted to the requirements of circuit elements, such as N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Van Bentum, Klaus Hempel, Roland Stejskal