Patents by Inventor Ruth Brain

Ruth 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: 20250006721
    Abstract: Techniques are described for designing and forming cells comprising transistor devices for an integrated circuit. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of cells arranged in rows where some rows have different cell heights compared to other rows. Additionally, the various rows of cells may contain semiconductor nanoribbons having different widths between different rows. For example, any number of first rows of cells can each have a first height and any number of second rows can each have a second height that is smaller than the first height. The first rows of cells may include transistors with semiconductor nanoribbons having a first width and the second rows of cells may include transistors with semiconductor nanoribbons having a second width smaller than the first width. In some cases, any of the first rows of cells may also include transistors with semiconductor nanoribbons having the second width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sukru Yemenicioglu, Douglas Stout, Tai-Hsuan Wu, Xinning Wang, Ruth Brain, Chin-Hsuan Chen, Sivakumar Venkataraman, Quan Shi, Nikolay Ryzhenko Vladimirovich
  • Patent number: 11723188
    Abstract: Embodiments include an embedded dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a method of forming an embedded DRAM device, and a memory device. An embedded DRAM device includes a dielectric having a logic area and a memory area, and a trace and a via disposed in the logic area of dielectric. The embedded DRAM device further includes ferroelectric capacitors disposed in the memory area of dielectric, where each ferroelectric capacitor includes a first electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a second electrode, and where the ferroelectric layer surrounds the first electrode of each ferroelectric capacitor and extends along a top surface of the dielectric in the memory area. The embedded DRAM device includes an etch stop layer above the dielectric. The second etch stop in the logic area may have a z-height that is approximately equal to a z-height of a top surface of the second etch stop in the memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Uygar Avci, Ian Young, Daniel Morris, Seiyon Kim, Yih Wang, Ruth Brain
  • Patent number: 11322504
    Abstract: Embodiments include a memory array and a method of forming the memory array. A memory array includes a first dielectric over first metal traces, where first metal traces extend along a first direction, second metal traces on the first dielectric, where second metal traces extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and third metal traces on the second dielectric, where third metal traces extend along the first direction. The memory array includes a ferroelectric capacitor positioned in a trench having sidewalls and bottom surface, where the trench has a depth defined from a top surface of first metal trace to the top surface of third metal trace. The memory array further includes an insulating sidewall, a first electrode, a ferroelectric, and a second electrode disposed in the trench, where the trench has a rectangular cylinder shape defined by the first, second, and third metal traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Uygar Avci, Daniel Morris, Seiyon Kim, Yih Wang, Ruth Brain, Ian Young
  • Patent number: 10943817
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive interconnect lines in and spaced apart by an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. Individual ones of the plurality of conductive interconnect lines have an upper surface below an upper surface of the ILD layer. An etch-stop layer is on and conformal with the ILD layer and the plurality of conductive interconnect lines, the etch-stop layer having a non-planar upper surface with an uppermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the ILD layer and a lowermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the plurality of conductive interconnect lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Yeoh, Ruth Brain, Michael L. Hattendorf, Christopher P. Auth
  • Patent number: 10796951
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive interconnect lines in and spaced apart by an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. Individual ones of the plurality of conductive interconnect lines have an upper surface below an upper surface of the ILD layer. An etch-stop layer is on and conformal with the ILD layer and the plurality of conductive interconnect lines, the etch-stop layer having a non-planar upper surface with an uppermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the ILD layer and a lowermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the plurality of conductive interconnect lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Yeoh, Ruth Brain, Michael L. Hattendorf, Christopher P. Auth
  • Publication number: 20200027781
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive interconnect lines in and spaced apart by an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. Individual ones of the plurality of conductive interconnect lines have an upper surface below an upper surface of the ILD layer. An etch-stop layer is on and conformal with the ILD layer and the plurality of conductive interconnect lines, the etch-stop layer having a non-planar upper surface with an uppermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the ILD layer and a lowermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the plurality of conductive interconnect lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew W. YEOH, Ruth BRAIN, Michael L. HATTENDORF, Christopher P. AUTH
  • Publication number: 20200006346
    Abstract: Embodiments include an embedded dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a method of forming an embedded DRAM device, and a memory device. An embedded DRAM device includes a dielectric having a logic area and a memory area, and a trace and a via disposed in the logic area of dielectric. The embedded DRAM device further includes ferroelectric capacitors disposed in the memory area of dielectric, where each ferroelectric capacitor includes a first electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a second electrode, and where the ferroelectric layer surrounds the first electrode of each ferroelectric capacitor and extends along a top surface of the dielectric in the memory area. The embedded DRAM device includes an etch stop layer above the dielectric. The second etch stop in the logic area may have a z-height that is approximately equal to a z-height of a top surface of the second etch stop in the memory area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Uygar AVCI, Ian YOUNG, Daniel MORRIS, Seiyon KIM, Yih WANG, Ruth BRAIN
  • Publication number: 20200006352
    Abstract: Embodiments include a memory array and a method of forming the memory array. A memory array includes a first dielectric over first metal traces, where first metal traces extend along a first direction, second metal traces on the first dielectric, where second metal traces extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and third metal traces on the second dielectric, where third metal traces extend along the first direction. The memory array includes a ferroelectric capacitor positioned in a trench having sidewalls and bottom surface, where the trench has a depth defined from a top surface of first metal trace to the top surface of third metal trace. The memory array further includes an insulating sidewall, a first electrode, a ferroelectric, and a second electrode disposed in the trench, where the trench has a rectangular cylinder shape defined by the first, second, and third metal traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Uygar AVCI, Daniel MORRIS, Seiyon KIM, Yih WANG, Ruth BRAIN, Ian YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20190164818
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of conductive interconnect lines in and spaced apart by an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer above a substrate. Individual ones of the plurality of conductive interconnect lines have an upper surface below an upper surface of the ILD layer. An etch-stop layer is on and conformal with the ILD layer and the plurality of conductive interconnect lines, the etch-stop layer having a non-planar upper surface with an uppermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the ILD layer and a lowermost portion of the non-planar upper surface over the plurality of conductive interconnect lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew W. YEOH, Ruth BRAIN, Michael L. HATTENDORF, Christopher P. AUTH
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090309227
    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: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Sean King, Ruth Brain
  • Patent number: 6774037
    Abstract: A method of integrating a polymeric interlayer dielectric. The method comprises forming a dielectric layer comprising a polymer on a conductive layer formed on a substrate. A sacrificial hard mask is then formed on the dielectric layer. A first photoresist layer is then patterned on the sacrificial hard mask to define a first etched region, which is formed through the dielectric layer while substantially all of the first photoresist layer is removed. A sacrificial fill layer then covers the sacrificial hard mask and fills the first etched region. A second photoresist layer is patterned over the sacrificial fill layer to define a second etched region which is formed through the sacrificial fill layer and the dielectric layer while substantially all of the second photoresist layer and the sacrificial fill layer are simultaneously removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Makarem A. Hussein, Ruth Brain, Robert Turklot, Sam Sivakumar
  • Publication number: 20030216057
    Abstract: A method of integrating a polymeric interlayer dielectric. The method comprises forming a dielectric layer comprising a polymer on a conductive layer formed on a substrate. A sacrificial hard mask is then formed on the dielectric layer. A first photoresist layer is then patterned on the sacrificial hard mask to define a first etched region, which is formed through the dielectric layer while substantially all of the first photoresist layer is removed. A sacrificial fill layer then covers the sacrificial hard mask and fills the first etched region. A second photoresist layer is patterned over the sacrificial fill layer to define a second etched region which is formed through the sacrificial fill layer and the dielectric layer while substantially all of the second photoresist layer and the sacrificial fill layer are simultaneously removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Makarem A. Hussein, Ruth Brain, Robert Turklot, Sam Sivakumar
  • Patent number: 6365514
    Abstract: The present invention describes an improved process for forming an aluminum or aluminum alloy plug in the fabrication of a semiconductor device. An opening is formed in a wafer. A titanium wetting layer is then deposited over the wafer and lines the sidewalls and bottom of the opening. A first aluminum deposition step is performed at a first power in a hot deposition chamber. A second aluminum deposition step is performed at a second higher power in a cold deposition chamber. The present invention forms the aluminum plug without the problems of void formation and without reaching temperatures that could cause damage to underlying layers during the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jick Yu, Ruth Brain