Patents by Inventor Robert M. Rassel

Robert M. Rassel 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: 20120292669
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to junction gate field effect transistor (JFET) structures and methods of forming the same. The JFET structure includes a p-type substrate having a p-region therein; an n-channel thereunder; and n-doped enhancement regions within the n-channel, each n-doped enhancement region separated from the p-region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Panglijen Candra, Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8299558
    Abstract: A Schottky barrier diode comprises a doped guard ring having a doping of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The Schottky barrier diode further comprises a first-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a first conductivity type, which is the opposite of the second conductivity type, on one side of a dummy gate electrode and a Schottky barrier structure surrounded by the doped guard ring on the other side. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by the dummy gate electrode and the doped guard ring. The doped guard ring includes an unmetallized portion of a gate-side second-conductivity-type-doped semiconductor region having a doping of a second conductivity type. A Schottky barrier region may be laterally surrounded by a doped guard ring including a gate-side doped semiconductor region and a STI-side doped semiconductor region. Design structures for the inventive Schottky barrier diode are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Alvin J. Joseph, Alan F. Norris, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8299475
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor pixel includes a conductive light shield, which is located between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one via extends from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive CMOS image sensor pixel enables reduction of noise in the signal stored in the floating drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Kevin N. Ogg, Richard J. Rassel, Robert M. Rassel
  • Patent number: 8288244
    Abstract: A method for forming a lateral passive device including a dual annular electrode is disclosed. The annular electrodes formed from the method include an anode and a cathode. The annular electrodes allow anode and cathode series resistances to be optimized to the lowest values at a fixed device area. In addition, the parasitic capacitance to a bottom plate (substrate) is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Collins, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Xuefeng Liu, Bradley A. Orner, Robert M. Rassel, David C. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20120214280
    Abstract: A resistor with heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a conductive path having metal or other thermal conductor having a high thermal conductivity. To avoid shorting the electrical resistor to ground with the thermal conductor, a thin layer of high thermal conductivity electrical insulator is interposed between the thermal conductor and the body of the resistor. Accordingly, a resistor can carry large amounts of current because the high conductivity thermal conductor will conduct heat away from the resistor to a heat sink. Various configurations of thermal conductors and heat sinks are provided offering good thermal conductive properties in addition to reduced parasitic capacitances and other parasitic electrical effects, which would reduce the high frequency response of the electrical resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Ebenezer E. ESHUN, Terence B. HOOK, Robert M. RASSEL, Edmund J. SPROGIS, Anthony K. STAMPER, William J. MURPHY
  • Patent number: 8242584
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip is provided comprising at least one trench including a stress-inducing material which imparts a stress on a channel region of a device, such as a junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET) or a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renata A. Camillo-Castillo, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Andreas D. Stricker
  • Publication number: 20120199907
    Abstract: A varactor diode includes a portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a gate electrode located thereupon. A first electrode having a doping of a first conductivity type laterally abuts a doped semiconductor region having the first conductivity type, which laterally abuts a second electrode having a doping of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A hyperabrupt junction is formed between the second doped semiconductor region and the second electrode. The gate electrode controls the depletion of the first and second doped semiconductor regions, thereby varying the capacitance of the varactor diode. A design structure for the varactor diode is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Johnson, Alvin J. Joseph, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20120193747
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a Schottky barrier diode. This diode can be formed in a semiconductor substrate having a doped region with a first conductivity type. A trench isolation structure can laterally surround a section of the doped region at the top surface of the substrate. A semiconductor layer can be positioned on the top surface of the substrate. This semiconductor layer can have a Schottky barrier portion over the defined section of the doped region and a guardring portion over the trench isolation structure laterally surrounding the Schottky barrier portion. The Schottky barrier portion can have the first conductivity type and the guarding portion can have a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. A metal silicide layer can overlie the semiconductor layer. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of forming this Schottky barrier diode and of a design structure for the Schottky barrier diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Rassel, Mark E. Stidham
  • Patent number: 8232139
    Abstract: Integrated structures having high performance CMOS active devices mounted on passive devices are provided. The structure includes an integrated passive device chip having a plurality of through wafer vias, mounted to a ground plane. The structure further includes at least one CMOS device mounted on the integrated passive device chip using flip chip technology and being grounded to the ground plane through the through wafer vias of the integrated passive device chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Patent number: 8230586
    Abstract: A method of cooling a resistor is provided. The method includes forming a first electrical insulator having a high thermal conductivity in thermal contact with an electrically resistive pathway and forming a substrate adjacent the electrical insulator. The method further includes forming a first electrical conductor having a high thermal conductivity within the second substrate and in thermal contact with the electrical insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D Coolbaugh, Ebenezer E Eshun, Terence B Hook, Robert M Rassel, Edmund J Sprogis, Anthony K Stamper, William J Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120192139
    Abstract: Integrated structures having high performance CMOS active devices mounted on passive devices are provided. The structure includes an integrated passive device chip having a plurality of through wafer vias, mounted to a ground plane. The structure further includes at least one CMOS device mounted on the integrated passive device chip using flip chip technology and being grounded to the ground plane through the through wafer vias of the integrated passive device chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. RASSEL, Anthony K. STAMPER, Daniel S. VANSLETTE
  • Publication number: 20120181700
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) having reduced through silicon via (TSV)-induced stresses and related IC design structures and methods. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method of designing an integrated circuit (IC) having reduced substrate stress, the method including: placing in an IC design file a plurality of through silicon via (TSV) placeholder cells, each placeholder cell having an undefined TSV orientation; replacing a first portion of the plurality of TSV placeholder cells with a first group of TSV cells having a first orientation; and replacing a second portion of the plurality of TSV placeholder cells with a second group of TSV cells having a second orientation substantially perpendicular to the first orientation, wherein TSV cells having the first orientation and TSV cells having the second orientation are interspersed to reduce a TSV-induced stress in an IC substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Bonn, Brent A. Goplen, Brian L. Kinsman, Robert M. Rassel, Edmund J. Sprogis, Daniel S. Vanslette
  • Publication number: 20120184081
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a MIM capacitor is provided. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anil K. CHINTHAKINDI, Douglas D. COOLBAUGH, Keith E. DOWNES, Ebenezer E. ESHUN, Zhong-Xiang HE, Robert M. RASSEL, Anthony K. STAMPER
  • Patent number: 8217497
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention provide a structure, method, etc. for a fin differential MOS varactor diode. More specifically, a differential varactor structure is provided comprising a substrate with an upper surface, a first vertical anode plate, and a second vertical anode plate electrically isolated from the first vertical anode plate. Moreover, a semiconductor fin comprising a cathode is between the first vertical anode plate and the second vertical anode plate, wherein the semiconductor fin, the first vertical anode plate, and the second vertical anode plate are each positioned over the substrate and perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley A. Orner, Edward J. Nowak, Robert M. Rassel
  • Patent number: 8216890
    Abstract: A varactor diode includes a portion of a top semiconductor layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a gate electrode located thereupon. A first electrode having a doping of a first conductivity type laterally abuts a doped semiconductor region having the first conductivity type, which laterally abuts a second electrode having a doping of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite of the first conductivity type. A hyperabrupt junction is formed between the second doped semiconductor region and the second electrode. The gate electrode controls the depletion of the first and second doped semiconductor regions, thereby varying the capacitance of the varactor diode. A design structure for the varactor diode is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Johnson, Alvin J. Joseph, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20120168820
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a junction field effect transistor (JFET) structure with one or more P-type silicon germanium (SiGe) or silicon germanium carbide (SiGeC) gates (i.e., a SiGe or SiGeC based heterojunction JFET). The P-type SiGe or SiGeC gate(s) allow for a lower pinch off voltage (i.e., lower Voff) without increasing the on resistance (Ron). Specifically, SiGe or SiGeC material in a P-type gate limits P-type dopant out diffusion and, thereby ensures that the P-type gate-to-N-type channel region junction is more clearly defined (i.e., abrupt as opposed to graded). By clearly defining this junction, the depletion layer in the N-type channel region is extended. Extending the depletion layer in turn allows for a faster pinch off (i.e., requires lower Voff). P-type SiGe or SiGeC gate(s) can be incorporated into conventional lateral JFET structures and/or vertical JFET structures. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of forming such a JFET structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Xiaowei Tian
  • Publication number: 20120161299
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor pixel includes a conductive light shield, which is located between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one via extends from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive CMOS image sensor pixel enables reduction of noise in the signal stored in the floating drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Kevin N. Ogg, Richard J. Rassel, Robert M. Rassel
  • Patent number: 8207568
    Abstract: Method of fabricating a MIM capacitor and MIM capacitor. The method includes providing a substrate including a dielectric layer formed on a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer, and patterning a mask on the second conductive layer. Exposed portions of the second conductive layer are removed to form an upper plate of a MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask. The upper plate is undercut so that edges of the upper plate are located under the mask. Exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the first conductive layer are removed using the mask to form a capacitor dielectric layer and a lower plate of the MIM capacitor having edges substantially aligned with respective edges of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anil K. Chinthakindi, Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Keith E. Downes, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Zhong-Xiang He, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20120146158
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first source drain region, a second source drain region, and an intrinsic region therebetween; an asymmetric lightly doped drain (LDD) region within the substrate, wherein the asymmetric LDD region extends from the first source drain region into the intrinsic region between the first source drain region and the second source drain region; and a gate positioned atop the semiconductor substrate, wherein an outer edge of the gate overlaps the second source drain region. A related method and design structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan B. Botula, Robert M. Rassel, Yun Shi, Mark Edward Stidham
  • Patent number: 8188591
    Abstract: Integrated structures having high performance CMOS active devices mounted on passive devices are provided. The structure includes an integrated passive device chip having a plurality of through wafer vias, mounted to a ground plane. The structure further includes at least one CMOS device mounted on the integrated passive device chip using flip chip technology and being grounded to the ground plane through the through wafer vias of the integrated passive device chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper, Daniel S. Vanslette