Patents by Inventor Roger Loo
Roger Loo 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).
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Publication number: 20210336002Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a top surface, one or more group IV semiconductor monocrystalline nanostructures, each having a first and a second extremity defining an axis parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and separated therefrom by a non-zero distance, each nanostructure having a source structure epitaxially grown on the first extremity and a drain structure epitaxially grown on the second extremity. The epitaxial source and drain structures are made of a group IV semiconductor doped with one or more of Sb and Bi, and optionally one or more of As and P, thereby creating tensile strain in the group IV semiconductor monocrystalline nanostructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Roger Loo, Geert Eneman, Clement Porret
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Patent number: 9640411Abstract: Method for manufacturing a transistor device comprising a germanium channel material on a silicon based substrate, the method comprising providing a shallow trench isolation (STI) substrate comprising a silicon protrusion embedded in STI dielectric structures, and partially recessing the silicon protrusion in order to provide a trench in between adjacent STI structures, and to provide a V-shaped groove at an upper surface of the recessed protrusion. The method also includes growing a Si1-xGex SRB layer in the trenches, and growing a germanium based channel layer on the Si1-xGex SRB layer. In this example, the Si1-xGex SRB layer comprises a germanium content x that is within the range of 20% to 99%, and the SRB layer has a thickness less than 400 nm. The present disclosure also relates to an associated transistor device.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: IMEC VZWInventors: Jianwu Sun, Roger Loo
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Patent number: 9502415Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) devices, and more particularly to an n-channel metal-oxide-silicon (nMOS) device and a p-channel metal-oxide-silicon (pMOS) device that are under different types of strains. In one aspect, a method comprises providing trenches in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, where at least a first trench defines an nMOS region and a second trench defines a pMOS region, and where the trenches extend through the dielectric layer and abut a surface of the substrate. The method additionally includes growing a first seed layer in the first trench on the surface and growing a common strain-relaxed buffer layer in the first trench and the second trench, where the common strain-relaxed buffer layer comprises silicon germanium (SiGe). The method further includes growing a common channel layer comprising germanium (Ge) in the first and second trenches and on the common strain-relaxed buffer layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: IMEC VZWInventors: Roger Loo, Jerome Mitard, Liesbeth Witters
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Patent number: 9478544Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) devices, and more particularly to a transistor device comprising a germanium channel layer, such as an n-channel metal-oxide-silicon (NMOS) transistor device. In one aspect, a method of forming a germanium channel layer for an NMOS transistor device comprises providing a trench having sidewalls defined by a dielectric material structure and abutting on a silicon substrate's surface, and growing a seed layer in the trench on the surface, where the seed layer has a front surface comprising facets having a (111) orientation. The method additionally includes growing a strain-relaxed buffer layer in the trench on the seed layer, where the strain-relaxed buffer layer comprises silicon germanium. The method further includes growing a channel layer comprising germanium (Ge) on the strain-relaxed buffer layer. In other aspects, devices, e.g., an NMOS transistor device and a CMOS device, includes features fabricated using the method.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: IMEC vzwInventors: Jerome Mitard, Roger Loo, Liesbeth Witters
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Publication number: 20160126109Abstract: Method for manufacturing a transistor device comprising a germanium channel material on a silicon based substrate, the method comprising providing a shallow trench isolation (STI) substrate comprising a silicon protrusion embedded in STI dielectric structures, and partially recessing the silicon protrusion in order to provide a trench in between adjacent STI structures, and to provide a V-shaped groove at an upper surface of the recessed protrusion. The method also includes growing a Si1-xGex SRB layer in the trenches, and growing a germanium based channel layer on the Si1-xGex SRB layer. In this example, the Si1-xGex SRB layer comprises a germanium content x that is within the range of 20% to 99%, and the SRB layer has a thickness less than 400 nm. The present disclosure also relates to an associated transistor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: IMEC VZWInventors: Jianwu Sun, Roger Loo
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Patent number: 9299563Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a strained semiconductor structure. The method comprises providing a strain relaxed buffer layer, forming a sacrificial layer on the strain relaxed buffer layer, forming a shallow trench isolation structure through the sacrificial layer, removing at least a portion of an oxide layer on the sacrificial layer, etching through the sacrificial layer such that a portion of the strain relaxed buffer layer is exposed, forming the strained semiconductor structure on the exposed portion of the strain relaxed buffer layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignees: IMEC VZW, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.Inventors: Seung Hun Lee, Liesbeth Witters, Roger Loo
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Patent number: 9263263Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selective deposition of doped Group IV-Sn materials. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a patterned substrate comprising at least a first region and a second region, where the first region includes an exposed first semiconductor material and the second region includes an exposed insulator material, and performing at least two cycles of a grow-etch cyclic process. Each cycle includes depositing a doped Group IV-Tin (Sn) layer, where depositing the doped Group IV-Sn layer includes providing a Group IV precursor, a Sn precursor, and a dopant precursor, and using an etch gas to etch back the deposited doped Group IV-Sn layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: IMECInventors: Andriy Hikavyy, Benjamin Vincent, Roger Loo
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Publication number: 20160027779Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) devices, and more particularly to an n-channel metal-oxide-silicon (nMOS) device and a p-channel metal-oxide-silicon (pMOS) device that are under different types of strains. In one aspect, a method comprises providing trenches in a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, where at least a first trench defines an nMOS region and a second trench defines a pMOS region, and where the trenches extend through the dielectric layer and abut a surface of the substrate. The method additionally includes growing a first seed layer in the first trench on the surface and growing a common strain-relaxed buffer layer in the first trench and the second trench, where the common strain-relaxed buffer layer comprises silicon germanium (SiGe). The method further includes growing a common channel layer comprising germanium (Ge) in the first and second trenches and on the common strain-relaxed buffer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Roger Loo, Jerome Mitard, Liesbeth Witters
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Publication number: 20160027780Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) devices, and more particularly to a transistor device comprising a germanium channel layer, such as an n-channel metal-oxide-silicon (NMOS) transistor device. In one aspect, a method of forming a germanium channel layer for an NMOS transistor device comprises providing a trench having sidewalls defined by a dielectric material structure and abutting on a silicon substrate's surface, and growing a seed layer in the trench on the surface, where the seed layer has a front surface comprising facets having a (111) orientation. The method additionally includes growing a strain-relaxed buffer layer in the trench on the seed layer, where the strain-relaxed buffer layer comprises silicon germanium. The method further includes growing a channel layer comprising germanium (Ge) on the strain-relaxed buffer layer. In other aspects, devices, e.g., an NMOS transistor device and a CMOS device, includes features fabricated using the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Jerome Mitard, Roger Loo, Liesbeth Witters
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Patent number: 9177812Abstract: Disclosed are methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices and the devices thus obtained. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a semiconductor substrate comprising a germanium region doped with n-type dopants at a first doping level and forming an interfacial silicon layer overlying the germanium region, where the interfacial silicon layer is doped with n-type dopants at a second doping level and has a thickness higher than a critical thickness of silicon on germanium, such that the interfacial layer is at least partially relaxed. The method further includes forming over the interfacial silicon layer a layer of material having an electrical resistivity smaller than 1×10?2 ?cm, thereby forming an electrical contact between the germanium region and the layer of material, wherein the electrical contact has a specific contact resistivity below 10?4 ?cm2.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. LEUVEN R&DInventors: Koen Martens, Roger Loo, Jorge Kittl
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Patent number: 8962369Abstract: A method for introducing species into a strained semiconductor layer comprising: providing a substrate comprising a first region comprising an exposed strained semiconductor layer, loading the substrate in a reaction chamber, then forming a conformal first species containing-layer by vapor phase deposition (VPD) at least on the exposed strained semiconductor layer, and thereafter performing a thermal treatment, thereby diffusing at least part of the first species from the first species-containing layer into the strained semiconductor layer and activating at least part of the diffused first species in the strained semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: IMECInventors: Roger Loo, Frederik Leys, Matty Caymax
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Publication number: 20140377936Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a strained semiconductor structure. The method comprises providing a strain relaxed buffer layer, forming a sacrificial layer on the strain relaxed buffer layer, forming a shallow trench isolation structure through the sacrificial layer, removing at least a portion of an oxide layer on the sacrificial layer, etching through the sacrificial layer such that a portion of the strain relaxed buffer layer is exposed, forming the strained semiconductor structure on the exposed portion of the strain relaxed buffer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD., IMEC VZWInventors: Seung Hun Lee, Liesbeth Witters, Roger Loo
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Patent number: 8865582Abstract: Disclosed are methods for manufacturing floating gate memory devices and the floating gate memory devices thus manufactured. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate, forming a tunnel oxide layer on the substrate, and depositing a protective layer on the tunnel oxide layer to form a stack of the tunnel oxide layer and the protective layer. The method further includes forming at least one opening in the stack, thereby exposing at least one portion of the substrate, and cleaning the at least one exposed portion with a cleaning liquid. The method still further includes loading the substrate comprising the stack into a reactor and, thereafter, performing an in-situ etch to remove the protective layer, using the at least one exposed portion as a source to epitaxially grow a layer comprising the monocrystalline semiconductor material, and forming the layer into at least one columnar floating gate structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: IMECInventors: Roger Loo, Matty Caymax, Pieter Blomme, Geert Van den Bosch
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Patent number: 8709918Abstract: A method for selective deposition of semiconductor materials in semiconductor processing is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a patterned substrate comprising a first region and a second region, where the first region comprises an exposed first semiconductor material and the second region comprise an exposed insulator material. The method further includes selectively providing a film of the second semiconductor material on the first semiconductor material of the first region by providing a precursor of a second semiconductor material, a carrier gas that is not reactive with chlorine compounds, and tin-tetrachloride (SnCl4). The tin-tetrachloride inhibits the deposition of the second semiconductor material on the insulator material of the second region.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: IMECInventors: Benjamin Vincent, Roger Loo, Matty Caymax
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Publication number: 20140024204Abstract: Disclosed are methods for selective deposition of doped Group IV-Sn materials. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a patterned substrate comprising at least a first region and a second region, where the first region includes an exposed first semiconductor material and the second region includes an exposed insulator material, and performing at least two cycles of a grow-etch cyclic process. Each cycle includes depositing a doped Group IV-Tin (Sn) layer, where depositing the doped Group IV-Sn layer includes providing a Group IV precursor, a Sn precursor, and a dopant precursor, and using an etch gas to etch back the deposited doped Group IV-Sn layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: IMECAInventors: Andriy Hikavyy, Benjamin Vincent, Roger Loo
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Publication number: 20140020619Abstract: Disclosed are methods for growing Sn-containing semiconductor materials. In some embodiments, an example method includes providing a substrate in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor, and providing a semiconductor material precursor, a Sn precursor, and a carrier gas in the CVD reactor. The method further includes epitaxially growing a Sn-containing semiconductor material on the substrate, where the Sn precursor comprises tin tetrachloride (SnCl4). The semiconductor material precursor may be, for example, digermane, trigermane, higher-order germanium precursors, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the semiconductor material precursor may be a silicon precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventors: Benjamin Vincent, Federica Gencarelli, Roger Loo, Matty Caymax
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Publication number: 20140008727Abstract: A method for introducing species into a strained semiconductor layer comprising: providing a substrate comprising a first region comprising an exposed strained semiconductor layer, loading the substrate in a reaction chamber, then forming a conformal first species containing-layer by vapor phase deposition (VPD) at least on the exposed strained semiconductor layer, and thereafter performing a thermal treatment, thereby diffusing at least part of the first species from the first species-containing layer into the strained semiconductor layer and activating at least part of the diffused first species in the strained semiconductor layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventors: Roger Loo, Frederik Leys, Matty Caymax
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Patent number: 8530339Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method for the deposition of a continuous layer of germanium on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition. According to the disclosure, a mixture of a non-reactive carrier gas and a higher order germanium precursor gas, i.e. of higher order than germane (GeH4), is applied. In an example embodiment, the deposition is done under application of a deposition temperature between 275° C. and 500° C., with the partial pressure of the precursor gas within the mixture being at least 20 mTorr for temperatures between 275° C. and 285° C., and at least 10 mTorr for temperatures between 285° and 500° C.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: IMECInventors: Benjamin Vincent, Matty Caymax, Roger Loo, Johan Dekoster
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Patent number: 8507337Abstract: A method for introducing species into a strained semiconductor layer comprising: providing a substrate comprising a first region comprising an exposed strained semiconductor layer, loading the substrate in a reaction chamber, then forming a conformal first species containing-layer by vapor phase deposition (VPD) at least on the exposed strained semiconductor layer, and thereafter performing a thermal treatment, thereby diffusing at least part of the first species from the first species-containing layer into the strained semiconductor layer and activating at least part of the diffused first species in the strained semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: IMECInventors: Roger Loo, Frederik Leys, Matty Caymax
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Method of manufacturing a complementary nanowire tunnel field effect transistor semiconductor device
Patent number: 8415209Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing at least one nanowire Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (TFET) semiconductor device. The method comprises providing a stack comprising a layer of channel material with on top thereof a layer of sacrificial material, removing material from the stack so as to form at least one nanowire from the layer of channel material and the layer of sacrificial material, and replacing the sacrificial material in the at least one nanowire by heterojunction material. A method according to embodiments of the present disclosure is advantageous as it enables easy manufacturing of complementary TFETs.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, K.U. Leuven R&DInventors: Rita Rooyackers, Daniele Leonelli, Anne Vandooren, Anne S. Verhulst, Roger Loo, Stefan De Gendt