Patents by Inventor Ruth A. Brain

Ruth A. Brain 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: 20170148867
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Patent number: 9607992
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Publication number: 20170040263
    Abstract: A method including forming a dielectric layer on a contact point of an integrated circuit structure; forming a hardmask including a dielectric material on a surface of the dielectric layer; and forming at least one via in the dielectric layer to the contact point using the hardmask as a pattern. An apparatus including a circuit substrate including at least one active layer including a contact point; a dielectric layer on the at least one active layer; a hardmask including a dielectric material having a least one opening therein for an interconnect material; and an interconnect material in the at least one opening of the hardmask and through the dielectric layer to the contact point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Fischer, Michael A. Childs
  • Patent number: 9502281
    Abstract: A method including forming a dielectric layer on a contact point of an integrated circuit structure; forming a hardmask including a dielectric material on a surface of the dielectric layer; and forming at least one via in the dielectric layer to the contact point using the hardmask as a pattern. An apparatus including a circuit substrate including at least one active layer including a contact point; a dielectric layer on the at least one active layer; a hardmask including a dielectric material having at least one opening therein for an interconnect material; and an interconnect material in the at least one opening of the hardmask and through the dielectric layer to the contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Fischer, Michael A. Childs
  • Publication number: 20160233217
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Patent number: 9343524
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Publication number: 20150270331
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: RUTH A. BRAIN
  • Patent number: 9054068
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Publication number: 20150137368
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations associated with forming a landing structure for a through-silicon via (TSV) using interconnect structures of interconnect layers. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a device layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the device layer including one or more transistor devices, interconnect layers disposed on the device layer, the interconnect layers including a plurality of interconnect structures and one or more through-silicon vias disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the plurality of interconnect structures include interconnect structures that are electrically coupled with the one or more TSVs and configured to provide one or more corresponding landing structures of the one or more TSVs. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pelto, Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Lee, Gerald S. Leatherman
  • Patent number: 8933564
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations associated with forming a landing structure for a through-silicon via (TSV) using interconnect structures of interconnect layers. In eon embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a device layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the device layer including one or more transistor devices, interconnect layers disposed on the device layer, the interconnect layers including a plurality of interconnect structures and one or more through-silicon vias disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the plurality of interconnect structures include interconnect structures that are electrically coupled with the one or more TSVs and configured to provide one or more corresponding landing structures of the one or more TSVs. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pelto, Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Lee, Gerald S. Leatherman
  • Publication number: 20140175651
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations associated with forming a landing structure for a through-silicon via (TSV) using interconnect structures of interconnect layers. In eon embodiment, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a device layer disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, the device layer including one or more transistor devices, interconnect layers disposed on the device layer, the interconnect layers including a plurality of interconnect structures and one or more through-silicon vias disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the plurality of interconnect structures include interconnect structures that are electrically coupled with the one or more TSVs and configured to provide one or more corresponding landing structures of the one or more TSVs. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher M. Pelto, Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Lee, Gerald S. Leatherman
  • Publication number: 20140002976
    Abstract: A capacitor-over-bitline structure includes a bottom electrode that has an open vessel form factor. The bottom-electrode form factor includes a floor, rectilinear sidewalls, and a rim that defines the topmost feature. A capacitor dielectric film contacts and covers the floor, the sidewalls, and the rim. A top electrode has a convex form factor that complements the concave bottom-electrode form factor. A process of forming the capacitor-over-bitline structure by spinning on a reflowable sacrificial material such as an oxide that covers both logic and memory portions of a semiconductive device, followed by a polish-back process and a recessing etch of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ruth A. Brain, Joseph M. Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20140001598
    Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TaAlC for capacitor integration is generally described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a plurality of semiconductor devices disposed in or above a substrate. One or more dielectric layers are disposed above the plurality of semiconductor devices. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is disposed in at least one of the dielectric layers, the MIM capacitor includes an electrode having a conformal layer of TaAlC and the MIM capacitor is electrically coupled to one or more of the semiconductor devices. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Nick Lindert, Ruth A. Brain, Joseph M. Steigerwald, Timothy E. Glassman, Andre Baran
  • Publication number: 20130320564
    Abstract: A method including forming a dielectric layer on a contact point of an integrated circuit structure; forming a hardmask including a dielectric material on a surface of the dielectric layer; and forming at least one via in the dielectric layer to the contact point using the hardmask as a pattern. An apparatus including a circuit substrate including at least one active layer including a contact point; a dielectric layer on the at least one active layer; a hardmask including a dielectric material having a least one opening therein for an interconnect material; and an interconnect material in the at least one opening of the hardmask and through the dielectric layer to the contact point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ruth A. Brain, Kevin J. Fischer, Michael A. Childs
  • Publication number: 20130279102
    Abstract: Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ruth A. Brain
  • Patent number: 8143159
    Abstract: A method for forming deep lithographic interconnects between a first metal and a second metal is provided. The method comprises depositing a first insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate; etching the first insulator layer at a selected location to provide at least a first via to the semiconductor substrate; depositing the first metal on the semiconductor substrate to form at least a first metal contact plug in the first via in contact with the semiconductor substrate; treating the semiconductor substrate with an in-situ plasma of a nitrogen containing gas wherein the plasma forms a nitride layer of the first metal at least capping a top surface of the first metal plug in the first via; and forming a second metal contact to the metal nitride layer capping at least the top surface of the first metal plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean King, Ruth Brain
  • Patent number: 8058177
    Abstract: Winged via structures to increase overlay margin are generally described. In one example, a method comprises depositing a sacrificial layer to an interlayer dielectric, the interlayer dielectric being coupled with a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one trench structure in the sacrificial layer wherein the trench structure comprises a first direction along a length of the trench structure and a second direction along a width of the trench structure wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, depositing a light sensitive material to the trench structure and the sacrificial layer, and patterning at least one winged via structure in the light sensitive material to overlay the trench structure wherein the winged via structure extends in the second direction beyond the width of the trench structure onto the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Weiss, Ruth Brain, Bob Bigwood, Shannon Daviess
  • Publication number: 20110003471
    Abstract: A method for forming deep lithographic interconnects between a first metal and a second metal is provided. The method comprises depositing a first insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate; etching the first insulator layer at a selected location to provide at least a first via to the semiconductor substrate; depositing the first metal on the semiconductor substrate to form at least a first metal contact plug in the first via in contact with the semiconductor substrate; treating the semiconductor substrate with an in-situ plasma of a nitrogen containing gas wherein the plasma forms a nitride layer of the first metal at least capping a top surface of the first metal plug in the first via; and forming a second metal contact to the metal nitride layer capping at least the top surface of the first metal plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Sean King, Ruth Brain
  • Patent number: 7812455
    Abstract: A method for forming deep lithographic interconnects between a first metal and a second metal is provided. The method comprises depositing a first insulator layer on a semiconductor substrate; etching the first insulator layer at a selected location to provide at least a first via to the semiconductor substrate; depositing the first metal on the semiconductor substrate to form at least a first metal contact plug in the first via in contact with the semiconductor substrate; treating the semiconductor substrate with an in-situ plasma of a nitrogen containing gas wherein the plasma forms a nitride layer of the first metal at least capping a top surface of the first metal plug in the first via; and forming a second metal contact to the metal nitride layer capping at least the top surface of the first metal plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sean King, Ruth Brain
  • Publication number: 20100025858
    Abstract: Winged via structures to increase overlay margin are generally described. In one example, a method comprises depositing a sacrificial layer to an interlayer dielectric, the interlayer dielectric being coupled with a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one trench structure in the sacrificial layer wherein the trench structure comprises a first direction along a length of the trench structure and a second direction along a width of the trench structure wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, depositing a light sensitive material to the trench structure and the sacrificial layer, and patterning at least one winged via structure in the light sensitive material to overlay the trench structure wherein the winged via structure extends in the second direction beyond the width of the trench structure onto the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Weiss, Ruth Brain, Bob Bigwood, Shannon Daviess