Patents by Inventor Steven J. Keating

Steven J. Keating 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).

  • Patent number: 7927959
    Abstract: A method of patterning a metal (141, 341, 841) on a vertical sidewall (132, 332, 832) of an excavated feature (130, 330, 830) includes placing a material (350) in the excavated feature such that a portion (435) of the metal is exposed in the excavated feature above the material, etching the exposed portion of the metal away from the vertical sidewall using a first wet etch chemistry, and removing the material from the excavated feature by etching it away using a second wet etch chemistry. The described method may be used to produce a MIM capacitor (800) suitable for an eDRAM device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Keating, Nick Lindert, Nadia Rahhal-Orabi, Brian Doyle, Satyarth Suri, Swaminathan Sivakumar, Lana Jong, Lin Sha
  • Patent number: 7821044
    Abstract: Embodiments are an improved transistor structure and the method of fabricating the structure. In particular, a wet etch of an embodiment forms source and drain regions with an improved tip shape to improve the performance of the transistor by improving control of short channel effects, increasing the saturation current, improving control of the metallurgical gate length, increasing carrier mobility, and decreasing contact resistance at the interface between the source and drain and the silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Steven J. Keating, Thomas A. Letson, Anand S. Murthy, Donald W. O'Neill, Willy Rachmady
  • Publication number: 20100079924
    Abstract: A method of patterning a metal (141, 341, 841) on a vertical sidewall (132, 332, 832) of an excavated feature (130, 330, 830) includes placing a material (350) in the excavated feature such that a portion (435) of the metal is exposed in the excavated feature above the material, etching the exposed portion of the metal away from the vertical sidewall using a first wet etch chemistry, and removing the material from the excavated feature by etching it away using a second wet etch chemistry. The described method may be used to produce a MIM capacitor (800) suitable for an eDRAM device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Steven J. Keating, Nick Lindert, Nadia Rahhal-Orabi, Brian Doyle, Satyarth Suri, Swaminathan Sivakumar, Lana Jong, Lin Sha
  • Patent number: 7494858
    Abstract: Embodiments are an improved transistor structure and the method of fabricating the structure. In particular, a wet etch of an embodiment forms source and drain regions with an improved tip shape to improve the performance of the transistor by improving control of short channel effects, increasing the saturation current, improving control of the metallurgical gate length, increasing carrier mobility, and decreasing contact resistance at the interface between the source and drain and the silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Steven J. Keating, Thomas A. Letson, Anand S. Murthy, Donald W. O'Neill, Willy Rachmady
  • Publication number: 20080135894
    Abstract: Embodiments are an improved transistor structure and the method of fabricating the structure. In particular, a wet etch of an embodiment forms source and drain regions with an improved tip shape to improve the performance of the transistor by improving control of short channel effects, increasing the saturation current, improving control of the metallurgical gate length, increasing carrier mobility, and decreasing contact resistance at the interface between the source and drain and the silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Mark T. Bohr, Steven J. Keating, Thomas A. Letson, Anand S. Murthy, Donald W. O'Neill, Willy Rachmady
  • Patent number: 7316949
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Patent number: 7211872
    Abstract: A method and device for improved salicide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 ?m. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack within inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hong Jan, Julie A. Tsai, Simon Yang, Tahir Ghani, Kevin A. Whitehill, Steven J. Keating, Alan Myers
  • Patent number: 6972225
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Patent number: 6953719
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Patent number: 6858483
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Publication number: 20040214385
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Patent number: 6797622
    Abstract: Polysilicon formed over an underlying insulator may be highly selectively etched. This may permit the replacement of polysilicon gate electrode material, implementing a dual layer process or any of a variety of other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Mark L. Doczy, Travis J. Delashmutt
  • Patent number: 6777760
    Abstract: A method and device for improved salicide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 &mgr;m. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with thin inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hong Jan, Julie A. Tsai, Simon Yang, Tahir Ghani, Kevin A. Whitehill, Steven J Keating, Alan Myers
  • Publication number: 20040121541
    Abstract: At least a p-type and n-type semiconductor device deposited upon a semiconductor wafer containing metal or metal alloy gates. More particularly, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device is formed on a semiconductor wafer having n-type and p-type metal gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Doczy, Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Chris E. Barns, Brian S. Doyle, Michael L. McSwiney, Jack T. Kavalieros, John P. Barnak
  • Publication number: 20040036123
    Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric layer suitable for use as the gate dielectric layer in a MOSFET includes passivating the surface of a semiconductor substrate at a temperature less than approximately 80° C. and nitridizing the passivation layer. In particular embodiments, passivating a silicon wafer includes forming a hydroxy-silicate layer at approximately 24° C. In a further aspect of the present invention, an integrated circuit includes a plurality of insulated gate field effect transistors, wherein various ones of the plurality of transistors have gate dielectric layers of the nitridized passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Steven J. Keating, Robert S. Chau, Reza Arghavani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Douglas W. Barlage
  • Publication number: 20040023477
    Abstract: Polysilicon formed over an underlying insulator may be highly selectively etched. This may permit the replacement of polysilicon gate electrode material, implementing a dual layer process or any of a variety of other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Justin K. Brask, Steven J. Keating, Mark L. Doczy, Travis J. Delashmutt
  • Patent number: 6667232
    Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric layer suitable for use as the gate dielectric layer in a MOSFET includes passivating the surface of a semiconductor substrate at a temperature less than approximately 80° C. and nitridizing the passivation layer. In particular embodiments, passivating a silicon wafer includes forming a hydroxy-silicate layer at approximately 24° C. In a further aspect of the present invention, an integrated circuit includes a plurality of insulated gate field effect transistors, wherein various ones of the plurality of transistors have gate dielectric layers of the nitridized passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Keating, Robert S. Chau, Reza Arghavani, Jack T. Kavalieros, Douglas W. Barlage
  • Patent number: 6593633
    Abstract: The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with thin inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thin outer spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hong Jan, Julie A. Tsai, Simon Yang, Tahir Ghani, Kevin A. Whitehill, Steven J. Keating, Alan Myers
  • Patent number: 6521964
    Abstract: A method and device for improved salicide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 &mgr;m. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with thin inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hong Jan, Julie A. Tsai, Simon Yang, Tahir Ghani, Kevin A. Whitehill, Steven J. Keating, Alan Myers
  • Patent number: 6509618
    Abstract: A method and device for improved salicide resistance in polysilicon gates under 0.20 &mgr;m. The several embodiments of the invention provide for formation of gate electrode structures with recessed and partially recessed spacers. One embodiment, provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thick inner spacers and thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with thin inner spacers and partially recessed outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers. The inner spacer stack with thin inner spacers and thin outer spacers. Another embodiment provides a gate electrode structure with two spacer stacks. The outermost spacer stack with recessed thin inner spacers and recessed thick outer spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hong Jan, Julie A. Tsai, Simon Yang, Tahir Ghani, Kevin A. Whitehill, Steven J. Keating, Alan Myers