Patents by Inventor Robert Robison

Robert Robison 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: 20220037205
    Abstract: Interconnect structures having subtractive line with damascene second line type are provided. In one aspect, an interconnect structure includes: first metal lines of a first line type disposed on a substrate; and at least one second metal line of a second line type disposed on the substrate between two of the first metal lines, wherein the first line type includes subtractive lines and the second line type includes damascene lines such that the first metal lines have a different metallization structure from the at least one second metal line. A method of forming an interconnect structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Christopher J. Penny, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Kisik Choi, Robert ROBISON
  • Publication number: 20220028783
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first metallization layer disposed on a first etch stop layer. The first metallization layer includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line, each disposed in a first dielectric layer and extending from the first etch stop layer. The height of the first conductive line is greater than a height of the second conductive line. The semiconductor structure further includes a first via layer comprising a second dielectric layer disposed on a top surface of the first metallization layer and a first via and a second via in the second dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a first conductive material disposed on a top surface of the first conductive line in the first via. The semiconductor structure further includes a second conductive material disposed on a top surface of the second conductive line in the second via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Alan Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20220028785
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a conductive line formed on a conductive via, the conductive line being formed though a dielectric material. The IC includes an etch stop layer having one or more extended portions intervening between one or more edge portions of the conductive line and the conductive via, the one or more edge portions being at a periphery of the conductive line and the conductive via, the etch stop layer including a higher dielectric breakdown than the dielectric material. The one or more extended portions of the etch stop layer cause the conductive line to be formed with a bottom part having a reduced dimension than an upper part of the conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert ROBISON
  • Patent number: 11232977
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to fabrication methods and resulting interconnect structures having stepped top vias that reduce via resistance. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a surface of a conductive line is recessed below a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the recessed surface and an etch stop layer is formed over the structure. A first cavity is formed that exposes the recessed surface of the conductive line and sidewalls of the second dielectric layer. The first cavity includes a first width between sidewalls of the etch stop layer. The second dielectric layer is removed to define a second cavity having a second width greater than the first width. A stepped top via is formed on the recessed surface of the conductive line. The top via includes a top portion in the first cavity and a bottom portion in the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Alan Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20220005732
    Abstract: A method of forming a top via is provided. The method includes forming a sacrificial trench layer and conductive trench plug in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a conductive line. The method further includes forming a cover layer on the ILD layer, sacrificial trench layer, and conductive trench plug, and forming a sacrificial channel layer and a conductive channel plug on the conductive trench plug. The method further includes removing the cover layer and the ILD layer to expose the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer, and forming a barrier layer on the conductive channel plug and conductive trench plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Brent Anderson, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20220005761
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to fabrication methods and resulting interconnect structures having a conductive thin metal layer on a top via that promotes the selective growth of the next level interconnect lines (the line above). In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first conductive line is formed in a dielectric layer. A via is formed on the first conductive line and a seed layer is formed on the via and the dielectric layer. A surface of the seed layer is exposed and a second conductive line is deposited onto the exposed surface of the seed layer. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the second conductive line is selectively grown from the seed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Kisik Choi, Robert ROBISON
  • Publication number: 20220005731
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure includes forming at least one second-level interconnect in a sacrificial dielectric layer that is formed on an upper surface of a sacrificial etch stop layer, and removing the sacrificial dielectric layer and the sacrificial etch stop layer while maintaining the at least one second-level interconnect so as to expose an underlying dielectric layer. The method further includes depositing a replacement dielectric layer on an upper surface of the underlying dielectric layer to embed the at least one second-level interconnect in the replacement dielectric layer. Accordingly, an interconnect structure can be formed that includes one or more first-level interconnect in a dielectric layer and one or more second-level interconnects in a replacement dielectric layer stacked on the dielectric layer. The replacement dielectric layer directly contacts the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher J. Penny, Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Robert Robison, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo
  • Patent number: 11217481
    Abstract: A method of forming fully aligned top vias is provided. The method includes forming a fill layer on a conductive line, wherein the fill layer is adjacent to one or more vias. The method further includes forming a spacer layer selectively on the exposed surface of the fill layer, wherein the top surface of the one or more vias is exposed after forming the spacer layer. The method further includes depositing an etch-stop layer on the exposed surfaces of the spacer layer and the one or more vias, and forming a cover layer on the etch-stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Koichi Motoyama, Somnath Ghosh, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison, Lawrence A. Clevenger
  • Publication number: 20210384123
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a multi-layer integrated circuit (IC) structure that includes forming a first dielectric layer. A first interconnect is formed in the first dielectric layer and includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first sidewall extending from an edge of the first top surface to an edge of the first bottom surface. A second interconnect is formed in the first dielectric layer and includes a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second sidewall extending from an edge of the second top surface to an edge of the second bottom surface. A spacing from the edge of the first top surface to the edge of the second top surface is greater than a spacing from the edge of the first bottom surface to the edge of the second bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11195795
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of forming a multi-layer integrated circuit (IC) structure that includes forming a first dielectric layer. A first interconnect is formed in the first dielectric layer and includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first sidewall extending from an edge of the first top surface to an edge of the first bottom surface. A second interconnect is formed in the first dielectric layer and includes a second top surface, a second bottom surface, and a second sidewall extending from an edge of the second top surface to an edge of the second bottom surface. A spacing from the edge of the first top surface to the edge of the second top surface is greater than a spacing from the edge of the first bottom surface to the edge of the second bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11195792
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first metallization layer disposed on a first etch stop layer. The first metallization layer includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line disposed in a first dielectric layer. The height of the first conductive line is greater than a height of the second conductive line. The semiconductor structure further includes a first via layer having a second dielectric layer disposed on a top surface of the first metallization layer and a first via in the second dielectric layer. The first via is configured to expose a portion of a top surface of the second conductive line. The semiconductor structure further includes a first conductive material disposed in the first via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Alan Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11189568
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a conductive line formed on a conductive via, the conductive line being formed though a dielectric material. The IC includes an etch stop layer having one or more extended portions intervening between one or more edge portions of the conductive line and the conductive via, the one or more edge portions being at a periphery of the conductive line and the conductive via, the etch stop layer including a higher dielectric breakdown than the dielectric material. The one or more extended portions of the etch stop layer cause the conductive line to be formed with a bottom part having a reduced dimension than an upper part of the conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11177160
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first mandrel layer and a second mandrel layer on the dielectric layer and patterning the first mandrel layer and the second mandrel layer to form respective first and second patterns in the first and second mandrel layers. The first pattern includes a first line segment and a first wing segment. The first wing segment is filled with a first spacer material to form a first spacer. The method further includes removing exposed portions of the first and second mandrel layers, transferring an image of the first and second patterns, patterning the dielectric layer and depositing a metal into the patterned dielectric layer to form a metallic interconnect structure. The metallic interconnect structure includes first and second metallic lines with the second metallic line having a line break corresponding to the first spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Mathew Philip, Somnath Ghosh, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11177166
    Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure includes forming at least one second-level interconnect in a sacrificial dielectric layer that is formed on an upper surface of a sacrificial etch stop layer, and removing the sacrificial dielectric layer and the sacrificial etch stop layer while maintaining the at least one second-level interconnect so as to expose an underlying dielectric layer. The method further includes depositing a replacement dielectric layer on an upper surface of the underlying dielectric layer to embed the at least one second-level interconnect in the replacement dielectric layer. Accordingly, an interconnect structure can be formed that includes one or more first-level interconnect in a dielectric layer and one or more second-level interconnects in a replacement dielectric layer stacked on the dielectric layer. The replacement dielectric layer directly contacts the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Penny, Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Robert Robison, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo
  • Patent number: 11171084
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to fabrication methods and resulting interconnect structures having a conductive thin metal layer on a top via that promotes the selective growth of the next level interconnect lines (the line above). In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first conductive line is formed in a dielectric layer. A via is formed on the first conductive line and a seed layer is formed on the via and the dielectric layer. A surface of the seed layer is exposed and a second conductive line is deposited onto the exposed surface of the seed layer. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the second conductive line is selectively grown from the seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20210343585
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first trench such that a portion of the first trench is defined by a portion of a first-type of interconnect and depositing a sacrificial spacer liner in the first trench to cover the portion of the first-type of interconnect element. The method further includes forming a dielectric cap on the sacrificial spacer liner and above the first-type of interconnect element, removing the dielectric cap to expose at least a portion of the first-type of interconnect element, and forming a second-type of interconnect element on the exposed first-type of interconnect element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert Robison
  • Publication number: 20210343589
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming one or more layers including at least one of a liner and a barrier along surfaces of a first interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer within a trench, after forming the one or more liners, performing a via etch to form a via opening exposing a first conductive line corresponding to a first metallization level, and forming, within the via opening and on the first conductive line, a barrier-less prefilled via including first conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Hosadurga Shobha, Junli Wang, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison, Huai Huang
  • Publication number: 20210343643
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a conductive line formed on a conductive via, the conductive line being formed though a dielectric material. The IC includes an etch stop layer having one or more extended portions intervening between one or more edge portions of the conductive line and the conductive via, the one or more edge portions being at a periphery of the conductive line and the conductive via, the etch stop layer including a higher dielectric breakdown than the dielectric material. The one or more extended portions of the etch stop layer cause the conductive line to be formed with a bottom part having a reduced dimension than an upper part of the conductive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Anderson, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Kisik Choi, Robert ROBISON
  • Patent number: 11164777
    Abstract: A method of forming a top via is provided. The method includes forming a sacrificial trench layer and conductive trench plug in an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on a conductive line. The method further includes forming a cover layer on the ILD layer, sacrificial trench layer, and conductive trench plug, and forming a sacrificial channel layer and a conductive channel plug on the conductive trench plug. The method further includes removing the cover layer and the ILD layer to expose the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial trench layer and the sacrificial channel layer, and forming a barrier layer on the conductive channel plug and conductive trench plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Brent Anderson, Kisik Choi, Nicholas Anthony Lanzillo, Christopher J. Penny, Robert Robison
  • Patent number: 11158536
    Abstract: A method includes forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a hard mask layer on the dielectric layer, forming a sacrificial mandrel layer on the hard mask layer, depositing a sacrificial fill material in an opening in the sacrificial mandrel layer and utilizing the sacrificial fill material to selectively pattern the hard mask layer. The pattern defining first and second spaced openings in the hard mask layer. The method further includes etching the dielectric layer through the first and second openings in the hard mask layer to create first and second trenches in the dielectric layer separated by a dielectric segment of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel James Dechene, Timothy Mathew Philip, Somnath Ghosh, Robert Robison