Patents by Inventor Roy Carruthers

Roy Carruthers 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: 20080227259
    Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, e.g., a field effect transistor (FET), that includes at least one one-dimensional nanostructure that is typically a carbon-based nanomaterial, as the device channel, and a metal carbide contact that is self-aligned with the gate region of the device is described. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a CMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phaedon Avouris, Roy A. Carruthers, Jia Chen, Christophe G.M.M. Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Hon-Sum Philip Wong
  • Publication number: 20080227283
    Abstract: A method for forming gennano-silicide contacts atop a Ge-containing layer that is more resistant to etching than are conventional silicide contacts that are formed from a pure metal is provided. The method of the present invention includes first providing a structure which comprises a plurality of gate regions located atop a Ge-containing substrate having source/drain regions therein. After this step of the present invention, a Si-containing metal layer is formed atop the said Ge-containing substrate. In areas that are exposed, the Ge-containing substrate is in contact with the Si-containing metal layer. Annealing is then performed to form a germano-silicide compound in the regions in which the Si-containing metal layer and the Ge-containing substrate are in contact; and thereafter, any unreacted Si-containing metal layer is removed from the structure using a selective etch process. In some embodiments, an additional annealing step can follow the removal step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy A. Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, Simon Gaudet, Christian Lavoie, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20080220606
    Abstract: A method for forming germano-silicide contacts atop a Ge-containing layer that is more resistant to etching than are conventional silicide contacts that are formed from a pure metal is provided. The method of the present invention includes first providing a structure which comprises a plurality of gate regions located atop a Ge-containing substrate having source/drain regions therein. After this step of the present invention, a Si-containing metal layer is formed atop the said Ge-containing substrate. In areas that are exposed, the Ge-containing substrate is in contact with the Si-containing metal layer. Annealing is then performed to form a germano-silicide compound in the regions in which the Si-containing metal layer and the Ge-containing substrate are in contact; and thereafter, any unreacted Si-containing metal layer is removed from the structure using a selective etch process. In some embodiments, an additional annealing step can follow the removal step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy A. Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, Simon Gaudet, Christian Lavoie, Huiling Shang
  • Patent number: 7384868
    Abstract: A method that solves the increased nucleation temperature that is exhibited during the formation of cobalt disilicides in the presence of Ge atoms is provided. The reduction in silicide formation temperature is achieved by first providing a structure including a Co layer including at least Ni, as an additive element, on top of a SiGe containing substrate. Next, the structure is subjected to a self-aligned silicide process which includes a first anneal, a selective etching step and a second anneal to form a solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate. The Co layer including at least Ni can comprise an alloy layer of Co and Ni, a stack of Ni/Co or a stack of Co/Ni. A semiconductor structure including the solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Jr., Roy A. Carruthers, Jia Chen, Christophe Detavernier, James M. Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20080026534
    Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, e.g., a field effect transistor (FET), that includes at least one one-dimensional nanostructure that is typically a carbon-based nanomaterial, as the device channel, and a metal carbide contact that is self-aligned with the gate region of the device is described. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a CMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phaedon Avouris, Roy Carruthers, Jia Chen, Christophe Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Hon-Sum Wong
  • Patent number: 7271486
    Abstract: A method for providing a low resistance non-agglomerated Ni monosilicide contact that is useful in semiconductor devices. Where the inventive method of fabricating a substantially non-agglomerated Ni alloy monosilicide comprises the steps of: forming a metal alloy layer over a portion of a Si-containing substrate, wherein said metal alloy layer comprises of Ni and one or multiple alloying additive(s), where said alloying additive is Ti, V, Ge, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Rh, Pd or Pt or mixtures thereof; annealing the metal alloy layer at a temperature to convert a portion of said metal alloy layer into a Ni alloy monosilicide layer; and removing remaining metal alloy layer not converted into Ni alloy monosilicide. The alloying additives are selected for phase stability and to retard agglomeration. The alloying additives most efficient in retarding agglomeration are most efficient in producing silicides with low sheet resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Jr., Roy A. Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, James M. E. Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Patent number: 7247946
    Abstract: Disclosed is a procedure to coat the free surface of Cu damascene lines by a 1-5 nm thick element prior to deposition of the inter-level dielectric or dielectric diffusion barrier layer. The coating provides protection against oxidation, increases the adhesion strength between the Cu and dielectric, and reduces interface diffusion of Cu. In addition, the thin cap layer further increases electromigration Cu lifetime and reduces the stress induced voiding. The selective elements can be directly deposited onto the Cu embedded within the under layer dielectric without causing an electric short circuit between the Cu lines. These chosen elements are based on their high negative reduction potentials with oxygen and water, and a low solubility in and formation of compounds with Cu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Bruley, Roy A. Carruthers, Lynne Marie Gignac, Chao-Kun Hu, Eric Gerhard Liniger, Sandra Guy Malhotra, Stephen M. Rossnagel
  • Publication number: 20070042586
    Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized metal silicide film, e.g., contact (source/drain or gate), that does not substantially agglomerate during subsequent thermal treatments, is provided In the present invention, ions that are capable of attaching to defects within the Si-containing layer are implanted into the Si-containing layer prior to formation of metal silicide. The implanted ions stabilize the film, because the implants were found to substantially prevent agglomeration or at least delay agglomeration to much higher temperatures than in cases in which no implants were used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Carruthers, Cedrik Coia, Christophe Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Kenneth Rodbell
  • Patent number: 7119012
    Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized metal silicide film, e.g., contact (source/drain or gate), that does not substantially agglomerate during subsequent thermal treatments, is provided. In the present invention, ions that are capable of attaching to defects within the Si-containing layer are implanted into the Si-containing layer prior to formation of metal silicide. The implanted ions stabilize the film, because the implants were found to substantially prevent agglomeration or at least delay agglomeration to much higher temperatures than in cases in which no implants were used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Carruthers, Cedrik Y. Coia, Christophe Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Kenneth P. Rodbell
  • Publication number: 20060160350
    Abstract: Disclosed is a procedure to coat the free surface of Cu damascene lines by a 1-5 nm thick element prior to deposition of the inter-level dielectric or dielectric diffusion barrier layer. The coating provides protection against oxidation, increases the adhesion strength between the Cu and dielectric, and reduces interface diffusion of Cu. In addition, the thin cap layer further increases electromigration Cu lifetime and reduces the stress induced voiding. The selective elements can be directly deposited onto the Cu embedded within the under layer dielectric without causing an electric short circuit between the Cu lines. These chosen elements are based on their high negative reduction potentials with oxygen and water, and a low solubility in and formation of compounds with Cu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Bruley, Roy Carruthers, Lynne Gignac, Chao-Kun Hu, Eric Liniger, Sandra Malhotra, Stephen Rossnagel
  • Publication number: 20060151844
    Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, e.g., a field effect transistor (FET), that includes at least one one-dimensional nanostructure that is typically a carbon-based nanomaterial, as the device channel, and a metal carbide contact that is self-aligned with the gate region of the device is described. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a CMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phaedon Avouris, Roy Carruthers, Jia Chen, Christophe Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Hon-Sum Wong
  • Patent number: 6972250
    Abstract: A method (and structure) of forming a vertically-self-aligned silicide contact to an underlying SiGe layer, includes forming a layer of silicon of a first predetermined thickness on the SiGe layer and forming a layer of metal on the silicon layer, where the metal layer has a second predetermined thickness. A thermal annealing process at a predetermined temperature then forms a silicide of the silicon and metal, where the predetermined temperature is chosen to substantially preclude penetration of the silicide into the underlying SiGe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Jr., Roy A. Carruthers, Kevin K. Chan, Jack O. Chu, Guy Moshe Cohen, Steven J. Koester, Christian Lavoie, Ronnen A. Roy
  • Publication number: 20050250301
    Abstract: A method for forming germano-silicide contacts atop a Ge-containing layer that is more resistant to etching than are conventional silicide contacts that are formed from a pure metal is provided. The method of the present invention includes first providing a structure which comprises a plurality of gate regions located atop a Ge-containing substrate having source/drain regions therein. After this step of the present invention, a Si-containing metal layer is formed atop the said Ge-containing substrate. In areas that are exposed, the Ge-containing substrate is in contact with the Si-containing metal layer. Annealing is then performed to form a germano-silicide compound in the regions in which the Si-containing metal layer and the Ge-containing substrate are in contact; and thereafter, any unreacted Si-containing metal layer is removed from the structure using a selective etch process. In some embodiments, an additional annealing step can follow the removal step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, Simon Gaudet, Christian Lavoie, Huiling Shang
  • Publication number: 20050250318
    Abstract: Compounds of Ta and N, potentially including further elements, and with a resistivity below about 20 m?cm and with the elemental ratio of N to Ta greater than about 0.9 are disclosed for use as gate materials in field effect devices. A representative embodiment of such compounds, TaSiN, is stable at typical CMOS processing temperatures on SiO2 containing dielectric layers and high-k dielectric layers, with a workfunction close to that of n-type Si. Metallic Ta—N compounds are deposited by a chemical vapor deposition method using an alkylimidotris(dialkylamido)Ta species, such as tertiaryamylimidotris(dimethylamido)Ta (TAIMATA), as Ta precursor. The deposition is conformal allowing for flexible introduction of the Ta—N metallic compounds into a CMOS processing flow. Devices processed with TaN or TaSiN show near ideal characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Vijay Narayanan, Fenton McFeely, Keith Milkove, John Yurkas, Matthew Copel, Paul Jamison, Roy Carruthers, Cyril Cabral, Edmund Sikorskii, Elizabeth Duch, Alessandro Callegari, Sufi Zafar, Kazuhito Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20050250319
    Abstract: A method for forming a stabilized metal silicide film, e.g., contact (source/drain or gate), that does not substantially agglomerate during subsequent thermal treatments, is provided. In the present invention, ions that are capable of attaching to defects within the Si-containing layer are implanted into the Si-containing layer prior to formation of metal silicide. The implanted ions stabilize the film, because the implants were found to substantially prevent agglomeration or at least delay agglomeration to much higher temperatures than in cases in which no implants were used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roy Carruthers, Cedrik Coia, Christophe Detavernier, Christian Lavoie, Kenneth Rodbell
  • Publication number: 20050176247
    Abstract: A method for providing a low resistance non-agglomerated Ni monosilicide contact that is useful in semiconductor devices. Where the inventive method of fabricating a substantially non-agglomerated Ni alloy monosilicide comprises the steps of: forming a metal alloy layer over a portion of a Si-containing substrate, wherein said metal alloy layer comprises of Ni and one or multiple alloying additive(s), where said alloying additive is Ti, V, Ge, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Rh, Pd or Pt or mixtures thereof; annealing the metal alloy layer at a temperature to convert a portion of said metal alloy layer into a Ni alloy monosilicide layer; and removing remaining metal alloy layer not converted into Ni alloy monosilicide. The alloying additives are selected for phase stability and to retard agglomeration. The alloying additives most efficient in retarding agglomeration are most efficient in producing silicides with low sheet resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, James Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Patent number: 6905560
    Abstract: A method for providing a low resistance non-agglomerated Ni monosilicide contact that is useful in semiconductor devices. Where the inventive method of fabricating a substantially non-agglomerated Ni alloy monosilicide comprises the steps of: forming a metal alloy layer over a portion of a Si-containing substrate, wherein said metal alloy layer comprises of Ni and one or multiple alloying additive(s), where said alloying additive is Ti, V, Ge, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Rh, Pd or Pt or mixtures thereof; annealing the metal alloy layer at a temperature to convert a portion of said metal alloy layer into a Ni alloy monosilicide layer; and removing remaining metal alloy layer not converted into Ni alloy monosilicide. The alloying additives are selected for phase stability and to retard agglomeration. The alloying additives most efficient in retarding agglomeration are most efficient in producing silicides with low sheet resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Jr., Roy A. Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, James M. E. Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20050104142
    Abstract: Compounds of Ta and N, potentially including further elements, and with a resistivity below about 20 m?cm and with the elemental ratio of N to Ta greater than about 0.9 are disclosed for use as gate materials in field effect devices. A representative embodiment of such compounds, TaSiN, is stable at typical CMOS processing temperatures on SiO2 containing dielectric layers and high-k dielectric layers, with a workfunction close to that of n-type Si. Metallic Ta—N compounds are deposited by a chemical vapor deposition method using an alkylimidotris(dialkylamido)Ta species, such as tertiaryamylimidotris(dimethylamido)Ta (TAIMATA), as Ta precursor. The deposition is conformal allowing for flexible introduction of the Ta—N metallic compounds into a CMOS processing flow. Devices processed with TaN or TaSiN show near ideal characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Inventors: Vijav Narayanan, Fenton McFeely, Keith Milkove, John Yurkas, Matthew Copel, Paul Jamison, Roy Carruthers, Cyril Cabral, Edmund Sikorskii, Elizabeth Duch, Alessandro Callegari, Sufi Zafar, Kazuhito Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20050059242
    Abstract: A method that solves the increased nucleation temperature that is exhibited during the formation of cobalt disilicides in the presence of Ge atoms is provided. The reduction in silicide formation temperature is achieved by first providing a structure including a Co layer including at least Ni, as an additive element, on top of a SiGe containing substrate. Next, the structure is subjected to a self-aligned silicide process which includes a first anneal, a selective etching step and a second anneal to form a solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate. The Co layer including at least Ni can comprise an alloy layer of Co and Ni, a stack of Ni/Co or a stack of Co/Ni. A semiconductor structure including the solid solution of (Co, Ni) disilicide on the SiGe containing substrate is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cyril Cabral, Roy Carruthers, Christophe Detavernier, James Harper, Christian Lavoie
  • Publication number: 20050037604
    Abstract: A novel air-gap-containing interconnect wiring structure is described incorporating a solid low-k dielectric in the via levels, and a composite solid plus air-gap dielectric in the wiring levels. Also provided is a method for forming such an interconnect structure. The method is readily scalable to interconnect structures containing multiple wiring levels, and is compatible with Dual Damascene Back End of the Line (BEOL) processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katherina Babich, Roy Carruthers, Timothy Dalton, Alfred Grill, Jeffrey Hedrick, Christopher Jahnes, Ebony Mays, Laurent Perraud, Sampath Purushothaman, Katherine Saenger