Patents by Inventor Sean TEEHAN

Sean TEEHAN 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: 20180337261
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a nanowire arranged over a substrate, a gate stack arranged around the nanowire, a spacer arranged along a sidewall of the gate stack, a cavity defined by a distal end of the nanowire and the spacer, and a source/drain region partially disposed in the cavity and in contact with the distal end of the nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Jeffrey C. Shearer, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180308978
    Abstract: Transistors and methods of forming the same include forming a semiconductor fin from a first material on dielectric layer. Material is etched away from the dielectric layer directly underneath a channel region of the semiconductor fin, with the semiconductor fin still being supported by the dielectric layer in a source and drain region. A gate stack is formed around the channel region of the semiconductor fin, with a portion of the gate stack underneath the semiconductor fin being larger than a portion of the gate stack above the semiconductor fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Gauri Karve, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180294263
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a trench adjacent to a gate structure to expose a contact surface of one of a source region and a drain region. A sacrificial spacer may be formed on a sidewall of the trench and on a sidewall of the gate structure. A metal contact may then be formed in the trench to at least one of the source region and the drain region. The metal contact has a base width that is less than an upper surface width of the metal contact. The sacrificial spacer may be removed, and a substantially conformal dielectric material layer can be formed on sidewalls of the metal contact and the gate structure. Portions of the conformally dielectric material layer contact one another at a pinch off region to form an air gap between the metal contact and the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 10083962
    Abstract: A method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device on a substrate, including forming a plurality of vertical fins on the substrate, forming a first set of source/drain projections on the first subset of vertical fins, forming a second set of source/drain projections on the second subset of vertical fins, where the second set of source/drain projections is a different oxidizable material from the oxidizable material of the first set of source/drain projections, converting a portion of each of the second set of source/drain projections and a portion of each of the first set of source/drain projections to an oxide, removing the converted oxide portion of the first set of source/drain projections to form a source/drain seed mandrel, and removing a portion of the converted oxide portion of the second set of source/drain projections to form a dummy post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 10074730
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a nanowire arranged over a substrate, a gate stack arranged around the nanowire, a spacer arranged along a sidewall of the gate stack, a cavity defined by a distal end of the nanowire and the spacer, and a source/drain region partially disposed in the cavity and in contact with the distal end of the nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Jeffrey C. Shearer, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180226262
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of mandrel structures. A plurality of first spacers is formed on sidewalls of the mandrel structures. A plurality of second spacers is formed on sidewalls of the first spacers. The plurality of first spacers is removed selective to the plurality of second spacers and mandrel structures. A cut mask is formed over a first set of second spacers of the plurality of second spacers and a first set of mandrel structures of the plurality of mandrel structures. A second set of second spacers of the plurality of spacers and a second set of mandrel structures of the plurality of mandrel structures remain exposed. One of the second set of mandrel structures and the second set of second spacers is removed selective to the second set of second spacers and the second set of mandrel structures, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gauri KARVE, Fee Li LIE, Eric R. MILLER, Stuart A. SIEG, John R. SPORRE, Sean TEEHAN
  • Patent number: 10043801
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a trench adjacent to a gate structure to expose a contact surface of one of a source region and a drain region. A sacrificial spacer may be formed on a sidewall of the trench and on a sidewall of the gate structure. A metal contact may then be formed in the trench to at least one of the source region and the drain region. The metal contact has a base width that is less than an upper surface width of the metal contact. The sacrificial spacer may be removed, and a substantially conformal dielectric material layer can be formed on sidewalls of the metal contact and the gate structure. Portions of the conformally dielectric material layer contact one another at a pinch off region to form an air gap between the metal contact and the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180219101
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 10026615
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180197739
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of multiple mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the mandrels is masked in a finless region. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. Semiconductor fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a pattern mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180190491
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using a directional deposition process. A finless region is masked by forming a mask on a second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of unmasked mandrels using a directional deposition process. The finless region is unmasked and each of the plurality of mandrels is etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask, such that no fins are formed in the finless region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 10014391
    Abstract: Techniques relate to a gate stack for a semiconductor device. A vertical fin is formed on a substrate. The vertical fin has an upper portion and a bottom portion. The upper portion of the vertical fin has a recessed portion on sides of the upper portion. A gate stack is formed in the recessed portion of the upper portion of the vertical fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9997369
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of mandrel structures. A plurality of first spacers is formed on sidewalls of the mandrel structures. A plurality of second spacers is formed on sidewalls of the first spacers. The plurality of first spacers is removed selective to the plurality of second spacers and mandrel structures. A cut mask is formed over a first set of second spacers in the plurality of second spacers and a first set of mandrel structures in the plurality of mandrel structures. A second set of second spacers in the plurality of spacers and a second set of mandrel structures in the plurality of mandrel structures remain exposed. One of the second set of mandrel structures and the second set of second spacers is removed selective to the second set of second spacers and the second set of mandrel structures, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gauri Karve, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Stuart A. Sieg, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180158818
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a trench adjacent to a gate structure to expose a contact surface of one of a source region and a drain region. A sacrificial spacer may be formed on a sidewall of the trench and on a sidewall of the gate structure. A metal contact may then be formed in the trench to at least one of the source region and the drain region. The metal contact has a base width that is less than an upper surface width of the metal contact. The sacrificial spacer may be removed, and a substantially conformal dielectric material layer can be formed on sidewalls of the metal contact and the gate structure. Portions of the conformally dielectric material layer contact one another at a pinch off region to form an air gap between the metal contact and the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9991117
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9985138
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9984877
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180122947
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure including a cylindrical shape, an inner gate formed inside the fin structure, and an outer gate formed outside the fin structure and connected to the inner gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Marc Adam Bergendahl, Gauri Karve, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Robert Russell Robison, John Ryan Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180122643
    Abstract: Sacrificial gate structures having an aspect ratio of greater than 5:1 are formed on a substrate. In some embodiments, each sacrificial gate structure straddles a portion of a semiconductor fin that is present on the substrate. An anchoring element is formed orthogonal to each sacrificial gate structure rendering the sacrificial gate structures mechanically stable. After formation of a planarization dielectric layer, each anchoring element can be removed and thereafter each sacrificial gate structure can be replaced with a functional gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo CHENG, Ryan O. JUNG, Fee Li LIE, Jeffrey C. SHEARER, John R. SPORRE, Sean TEEHAN
  • Patent number: 9953915
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer each extending along a first axis to define a height and a second axis opposite the first axis to define a length. A capping layer is interposed between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. At least one electrically conductive feature is embedded in at least one of the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. At least one electrically conductive via extends through the second dielectric layer and the capping layer. The via has an end that contacts the conductive feature. The end includes a flange having at least one portion extending laterally along the first axis to define a contact area between the via and the at least one conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chung Chen, James J. Demarest, Sean Teehan, Chih-Chao Yang