Patents by Inventor Robert J. Gauthier, Jr.

Robert J. Gauthier, Jr. 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: 9006783
    Abstract: Device structures and design structures that include a silicon controlled rectifier, as well as fabrication methods for such device structures. A well is formed in the device layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A silicon controlled rectifier is formed that includes an anode in the well. A deep trench capacitor is formed that includes a plate coupled with the well. The plate of the deep trench capacitor extends from the device layer through a buried insulator layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate and into a handle wafer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Chengwen Pei, Christopher S. Putnam, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 8987073
    Abstract: Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. A gate structure is formed on a top surface of a substrate. First and second trenches are formed in the substrate adjacent to a sidewall of the gate structure. The second trench is formed laterally between the first trench and the first sidewall. First and second epitaxial layers are respectively formed in the first and second trenches. A contact is formed to the first epitaxial layer, which serves as a drain. The second epitaxial layer in the second trench is not contacted so that the second epitaxial layer serves as a ballasting resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li
  • Publication number: 20150060939
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a semiconductor controlled rectifier including a first plurality of fingers between an n-well body contact and an anode in an n-well, and a second plurality of fingers between a p-well body contact and a cathode in a p-well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James P. DI SARRO, Robert J. GAUTHIER, JR., Tom C. LEE, Junjun LI, Souvick MITRA, Christopher S. PUTNAM
  • Publication number: 20150054027
    Abstract: Device structures and design structures for passive devices that may be used as electrostatic discharge protection devices in fin-type field-effect transistor integrated circuit technologies. A device region is formed in a trench and is coupled with a handle wafer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region extends through a buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate toward a top surface of a device layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region is comprised of lightly-doped semiconductor material. The device structure further includes a doped region formed in the device region and that defines a junction. A portion of the device region is laterally positioned between the doped region and the buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. Another region of the device layer may be patterned to form fins for fin-type field-effect transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: William F. Clark, JR., Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Terence B. Hook, Junjun Li, Theodorus E. Standaert, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Publication number: 20150050784
    Abstract: Fabrication methods for bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures. A well of a first conductivity type is formed in a device region, which may be defined from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An anode of a first silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. A cathode of a second silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. The anode of the first silicon controlled rectifier has the first conductivity type. The cathode of the second silicon controlled rectifier has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Junjun Li
  • Publication number: 20150048416
    Abstract: Silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR), methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a common P-well on a buried insulator layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. The method further includes forming a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR) in the P-well such that N+ diffusion cathodes of each of the plurality of SCRs are coupled together by the common P-well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michel J. ABOU-KHALIL, Kiran V. CHATTY, Robert J. GAUTHIER, JR., Junjun LI
  • Patent number: 8956925
    Abstract: Device structures and design structures for a silicon controlled rectifier, as well as methods for fabricating a silicon controlled rectifier. The device structure includes first and second layers of different materials disposed on a top surface of a device region containing first and second p-n junctions of the silicon controlled rectifier. The first layer is laterally positioned on the top surface in vertical alignment with the first p-n junction. The second layer is laterally positioned on the top surface of the device region in vertical alignment with the second p-n junction. The material comprising the second layer has a higher electrical resistivity than the material comprising the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Alain Loiseau
  • Publication number: 20150041890
    Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor structures. Each semiconductor structure can comprise a substrate and at least one laterally double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (LDMOSFET) on the substrate. Each LDMOSFET can have a fully-depleted deep drain drift region (i.e., a fully depleted deep ballast resistor region) for providing a relatively high blocking voltage. Different configurations for the drain drift regions are disclosed and these different configurations can also vary as a function of the conductivity type of the LDMOSFET. Additionally, each semiconductor structure can comprise an isolation band positioned below the LDMOSFET and an isolation well positioned laterally around the LDMOSFET and extending vertically to the isolation band such that the LDMOSFET is electrically isolated from both a lower portion of the substrate and any adjacent devices on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Campi, JR., Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Junjun Li, Rahul Mishra, Souvick Mitra, Mujahid Muhammad
  • Patent number: 8946766
    Abstract: Bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures and design structures, as well as fabrication methods for bi-directional silicon controlled rectifier device structures. A well of a first conductivity type is formed in a device region, which may be defined from a device layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. An anode of a first silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. A cathode of a second silicon controlled rectifier is formed in the first well. The anode of the first silicon controlled rectifier has the first conductivity type. The cathode of the second silicon controlled rectifier has a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li
  • Patent number: 8946799
    Abstract: Device structures, fabrication methods, operating methods, and design structures for a silicon controlled rectifier. The method includes applying a mechanical stress to a region of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) at a level sufficient to modulate a trigger current of the SCR. The device and design structures include a SCR with an anode, a cathode, a first region, and a second region of opposite conductivity type to the first region. The first and second regions of the SCR are disposed in a current-carrying path between the anode and cathode of the SCR. A layer is positioned on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate relative to the first region and configured to cause a mechanical stress in the first region of the SCR at a level sufficient to modulate a trigger current of the SCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renata Camillo-Castillo, Erik M. Dahlstrom, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Ephrem G. Gebreselasie, Richard A. Phelps, Yun Shi, Andreas D. Stricker
  • Patent number: 8940588
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a dual electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device in fin field effect transistor (FinFET) process technology and methods of forming the same. In one embodiment, the dual ESD protection device includes: a bulk silicon substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region formed over the bulk silicon substrate; a first ESD device positioned above the STI region; and a second ESD device positioned below the STI region, wherein the first ESD device conducts current above the STI region and the second ESD device conducts current below the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher Stephen Putnam
  • Patent number: 8929040
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for an ESD protection device for an SST transmitter. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device includes: a primary ESD protection structure at an output of the SST transmitter; and an additional protection ESD structure in parallel with a slice of the SST transmitter, the additional ESD protection structure including: a first device in parallel with a pull-up transistor network within the slice; and a second device in parallel with a pull-down transistor network within the slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carrie E. Cox, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li, Xingle Wang
  • Publication number: 20150001580
    Abstract: Device structures and design structures that include a silicon controlled rectifier, as well as fabrication methods for such device structures. A well is formed in the device layer of a silicon-on-insulator substrate. A silicon controlled rectifier is formed that includes an anode in the well. A deep trench capacitor is formed that includes a plate coupled with the well. The plate of the deep trench capacitor extends from the device layer through a buried insulator layer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate and into a handle wafer of the silicon-on-insulator substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Chengwen Pei, Christopher S. Putnam, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 8916426
    Abstract: Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for passive devices that may be used as electrostatic discharge protection devices in fin-type field-effect transistor integrated circuit technologies. A device region is formed in a trench and is coupled with a handle wafer of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region extends through a buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate toward a top surface of a device layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The device region is comprised of lightly-doped semiconductor material. The device structure further includes a doped region formed in the device region and that defines a junction. A portion of the device region is laterally positioned between the doped region and the buried insulator layer of the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. Another region of the device layer may be patterned to form fins for fin-type field-effect transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William F. Clark, Jr., Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Terence B. Hook, Junjun Li, Theodorus E. Standaert, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Patent number: 8912625
    Abstract: Device structures with a reduced junction area in an SOI process, methods of making the device structures, and design structures for a lateral diode. The device structure includes one or more dielectric regions, such as STI regions, positioned in the device region and intersecting the p-n junction between an anode and cathode. The dielectric regions, which may be formed using shallow trench isolation techniques, function to reduce the width of a p-n junction with respect to the width area of the cathode at a location spaced laterally from the p-n junction and the anode. The width difference and presence of the dielectric regions creates an asymmetrical diode structure. The volume of the device region occupied by the dielectric regions is minimized to preserve the volume of the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher S. Putnam
  • Patent number: 8906751
    Abstract: Silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR), methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed herein. The method includes forming a common P-well on a buried insulator layer of a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer. The method further includes forming a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR) in the P-well such that N+ diffusion cathodes of each of the plurality of SCRs are coupled together by the common P-well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Junjun Li
  • Publication number: 20140339649
    Abstract: The present invention is a finFET type semiconductor device using LDMOS features. The device includes a first portion of a substrate doped with a second doping type and has a first trench, second trench, and first fin. The second portion of the substrate with a first doping type includes a third trench and second fin. The second fin between the second and third trench covers a part the first portion and a part of the second portion of the substrate. A first segment of the second fin is between the second segment and second trench. A second segment covers a part of the second portion of the substrate and is between the first segment and third trench. A gate covering at least a part of the first segment and a part of the first portion and a part of the second portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Campi, JR., Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Junjun Li, Rahul Mishra, Souvick Mitra, Mujahid Muhammad
  • Publication number: 20140342510
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a dual electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device in fin field effect transistor (FinFET) process technology and methods of forming the same. In one embodiment, the dual ESD protection device includes: a bulk silicon substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region formed over the bulk silicon substrate; a first ESD device positioned above the STI region; and a second ESD device positioned below the STI region, wherein the first ESD device conducts current above the STI region and the second ESD device conducts current below the STI region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher Stephen Putnam
  • Patent number: 8891212
    Abstract: RC-trigger circuits for a semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR), methods of providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and design structures for a RC-trigger circuit. The RC-trigger circuit is coupled to an input/output (I/O) signal pad by an isolation diode and is coupled to a power supply voltage by a power supply diode. Under normal operating conditions, the isolation diode is reverse biased, isolating the RC-trigger circuit from the input/output (I/O) pad, and the power supply diode is forward biased so that the RC-trigger circuit is supplied with power. The isolation diode may become forward biased during ESD events while the chip is unpowered, causing the RC-trigger circuit to trigger an SCR configured protect the signal pad from ESD into a conductive state. The power supply diode may become reverse biased during the ESD event, which isolates the power supply rail from the ESD voltage pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. Abou-Khalil, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher S. Putnam
  • Patent number: 8890249
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a dual electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device in fin field effect transistor (FinFET) process technology and methods of forming the same. In one embodiment, the dual ESD protection device includes: a bulk silicon substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region formed over the bulk silicon substrate; a first ESD device positioned above the STI region; and a second ESD device positioned below the STI region, wherein the first ESD device conducts current above the STI region and the second ESD device conducts current below the STI region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, JunJun Li, Souvick Mitra, Christopher S. Putnam