Patents by Inventor Terry Spooner
Terry Spooner 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).
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Publication number: 20140326698Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ya OU, Shom PONOTH, Terry A. SPOONER
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Publication number: 20140217592Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ya OU, Shom PONOTH, Terry A. SPOONER
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Patent number: 8772933Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ya Ou, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Patent number: 8772180Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ya Ou, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Patent number: 8664766Abstract: An interconnect structure including a gouging feature at the bottom of one of the via openings. The structure includes an upper interconnect level including a second dielectric material having at least one conductively filled via and an overlying conductively filled line disposed therein. The conductively filled via is in contact with an exposed surface of the at least one conductive feature of a first interconnect level by an anchoring area. The conductively filled via is separated from the second dielectric material by a first diffusion barrier layer, and the conductively filled line is separated from the second dielectric material by a second continuous diffusion barrier layer thereby the second dielectric material includes no damaged regions in areas adjacent to the conductively filled line.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Terry A. Spooner, Oscar van der Straten
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Patent number: 8519540Abstract: A self-aligned interconnect structure is provided that includes a first patterned and cured low-k material located on a surface of a substrate, wherein the first patterned and cured low-k material includes at least one first interconnect pattern (via or trench pattern) therein. A second patterned and cured low-k material having at least one second interconnect pattern that is different from the first interconnect pattern is located atop the first patterned and cured low k material. A portion of the second patterned and cured low-k material partially fills the at least one first interconnect within the first patterned and cured low-k material. A conductive material fills the at least one first interconnect pattern and the at least one second interconnect pattern. A method of forming such a self-aligned interconnect structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Qinghuang Lin, Sampath Purushothaman, Terry A. Spooner, Shawn M. Walsh
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Patent number: 8481423Abstract: Methods of minimizing or eliminating plasma damage to low k and ultra low k organosilicate intermetal dielectric layers are provided. The reduction of the plasma damage is effected by interrupting the etch and strip process flow at a suitable point to add an inventive treatment which protects the intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during the plasma strip process. Reduction or elimination of a plasma damaged region in this manner also enables reduction of the line bias between a line pattern in a photoresist and a metal line formed therefrom, and changes in the line width of the line trench due to a wet clean after the reactive ion etch employed for formation of the line trench and a via cavity. The reduced line bias has a beneficial effect on electrical yields of a metal interconnect structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: John C. Arnold, Griselda Bonilla, William J. Cote, Geraud Dubois, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Elbert Huang, Robert D. Miller, Satya V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman, E. Todd Ryan, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Terry A. Spooner, Willi Volksen
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Patent number: 8470706Abstract: Methods of minimizing or eliminating plasma damage to low k and ultra low k organosilicate intermetal dielectric layers are provided. The reduction of the plasma damage is effected by interrupting the etch and strip process flow at a suitable point to add an inventive treatment which protects the intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during the plasma strip process. Reduction or elimination of a plasma damaged region in this manner also enables reduction of the line bias between a line pattern in a photoresist and a metal line formed therefrom, and changes in the line width of the line trench due to a wet clean after the reactive ion etch employed for formation of the line trench and a via cavity. The reduced line bias has a beneficial effect on electrical yields of a metal interconnect structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: John C. Arnold, Griselda Bonilla, William J. Cote, Geraud Dubois, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Elbert Huang, Robert D. Miller, Satya V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman, E. Todd Ryan, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Terry A. Spooner, Willi Volksen
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Patent number: 8445377Abstract: A mechanically robust semiconductor structure with improved adhesion strength between a low-k dielectric layer and a dielectric-containing substrate is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a structure that includes a dielectric-containing substrate having an upper region including a treated surface layer which is chemically and physically different from the substrate; and a low-k dielectric material located on a the treated surface layer of the substrate. The treated surface layer and the low-k dielectric material form an interface that has an adhesion strength that is greater than 60% of the cohesive strength of the weaker material on either side of the interface. The treated surface is formed by treating the surface of the substrate with at least one of actinic radiation, a plasma and e-beam radiation prior to forming of the substrate the low-k dielectric material.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Qinghuang Lin, Terry A. Spooner, Darshan D. Gandhi, Christy S. Tyberg
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Patent number: 8415248Abstract: A self-aligned interconnect structure is provided that includes a first patterned and cured low-k material located on a surface of a substrate, wherein the first patterned and cured low-k material includes at least one first interconnect pattern (via or trench pattern) therein. A second patterned and cured low-k material having at least one second interconnect pattern that is different from the first interconnect pattern is located atop the first patterned and cured low k material. A portion of the second patterned and cured low-k material partially fills the at least one first interconnect within the first patterned and cured low-k material. A conductive material fills the at least one first interconnect pattern and the at least one second interconnect pattern. A method of forming such a self-aligned interconnect structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Qinghuang Lin, Sampath Purushothaman, Terry A. Spooner, Shawn M. Walsh
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Publication number: 20130009282Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, David V. Horak, Elbert E. Huang, Satyanarayana V. Nitta, Takeshi Nogami, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Publication number: 20130012017Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, David V. Horak, Elbert E. Huang, Satyanarayana V. Nitta, Takeshi Nogami, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Publication number: 20120329269Abstract: Methods of minimizing or eliminating plasma damage to low k and ultra low k organosilicate intermetal dielectric layers are provided. The reduction of the plasma damage is effected by interrupting the etch and strip process flow at a suitable point to add an inventive treatment which protects the intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during the plasma strip process. Reduction or elimination of a plasma damaged region in this manner also enables reduction of the line bias between a line pattern in a photoresist and a metal line formed therefrom, and changes in the line width of the line trench due to a wet clean after the reactive ion etch employed for formation of the line trench and a via cavity. The reduced line bias has a beneficial effect on electrical yields of a metal interconnect structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: John C. Arnold, Griselda Bonilla, William J. Cote, Geraud Dubois, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Elbert Huang, Robert D. Miller, Satya V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman, E. Todd Ryan, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Terry A. Spooner, Willi Volksen
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Patent number: 8288268Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, David V. Horak, Elbert E. Huang, Satyanarayana V. Nitta, Takeshi Nogami, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Publication number: 20120231622Abstract: A self-aligned interconnect structure is provided that includes a first patterned and cured low-k material located on a surface of a substrate, wherein the first patterned and cured low-k material includes at least one first interconnect pattern (via or trench pattern) therein. A second patterned and cured low-k material having at least one second interconnect pattern that is different from the first interconnect pattern is located atop the first patterned and cured low k material. A portion of the second patterned and cured low-k material partially fills the at least one first interconnect within the first patterned and cured low-k material. A conductive material fills the at least one first interconnect pattern and the at least one second interconnect pattern. A method of forming such a self-aligned interconnect structure is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Shyng-Tsong Chen, Qinghuang Lin, Sampath Purushothaman, Terry A. Spooner, Shawn M. Walsh
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Patent number: 8232195Abstract: A sputter-etching method employed to achieve a thinned down noble metal liner layer deposited on the surface or field of an intermediate back end of the line (BEOL) interconnect structure. The noble metal liner layer is substantially thinned down to a point where the effect of the noble metal has no significant effect in the chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process. The noble metal liner layer may be completely removed by sputter etching to facilitate effective planarization by chemical-mechanical polishing to take place.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Shyng-Tsong Chen, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Publication number: 20120171862Abstract: An interconnect structure and method of fabricating the same is provided. More specifically, the interconnect structure is a defect free capped interconnect structure. The structure includes a conductive material formed in a trench of a planarized dielectric layer which is devoid of cap material. The structure further includes the cap material formed on the conductive material to prevent migration. The method of forming a structure includes selectively depositing a sacrificial material over a dielectric material and providing a metal capping layer over a conductive layer within a trench of the dielectric material. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material with any unwanted deposited or nucleated metal capping layer thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ya Ou, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner
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Patent number: 8129843Abstract: Plasma damage in ultra low k dielectric materials during formation of a dual damascene metal interconnect structure is reduced by providing a protective spacer on sidewalls of a line trench. A densified trench bottom region may be additionally formed directly beneath an exposed horizontal surface of the line trench. The protective spacer and/or the densified trench bottom region protects an ultra low k intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during a plasma strip process that is used to remove a disposable via fill plug employed in the dual damascene metal interconnect structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John C. Arnold, Sampath Purushothaman, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Hosadurga K. Shobha, Terry A. Spooner
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Publication number: 20110318942Abstract: A mechanically robust semiconductor structure with improved adhesion strength between a low-k dielectric layer and a dielectric-containing substrate is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a structure that includes a dielectric-containing substrate having an upper region including a treated surface layer which is chemically and physically different from the substrate; and a low-k dielectric material located on a the treated surface layer of the substrate. The treated surface layer and the low-k dielectric material form an interface that has an adhesion strength that is greater than 60% of the cohesive strength of the weaker material on either side of the interface. The treated surface is formed by treating the surface of the substrate with at least one of actinic radiation, a plasma and e-beam radiation prior to forming of the substrate the low-k dielectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Qinghuang Lin, Terry A. Spooner, Darshan D. Gandhi, Christy S. Tyberg
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Publication number: 20110266682Abstract: A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure provide a plurality of voids interposed between a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of voids is also located between a liner layer and an inter-level dielectric layer. The voids provide for enhanced electrical performance of the microelectronic structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, David V. Horak, Elbert E. Huang, Satyanarayana V. Nitta, Takeshi Nogami, Shom Ponoth, Terry A. Spooner