Patents by Inventor Theodorus E. Standaert

Theodorus E. Standaert 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: 20210320060
    Abstract: A via structure and methods for forming a via structure generally includes a via opening in a dielectric layer. A conformal barrier layer is in the via opening; and a conductive metal on the barrier layer in the via opening. The conductive metal includes a recessed top surface. A conductive planarization stop layer is on the recessed top surface and extends about a shoulder portion formed in the dielectric layer, wherein the shoulder portion extends about a perimeter of the via opening. A fill material including an insulator material or a conductor material is on the conductive planarization stop layer within the recessed top surface, wherein the conductive planarization stop layer on the shoulder portion is coplanar to the insulator material or the conductor material. Also described are methods of fabricating the via structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Theodorus E. Standaert, Chih-Chao Yang, Daniel Charles Edelstein
  • Patent number: 11145658
    Abstract: An integrated FinFET and deep trench capacitor structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one deep trench capacitor in a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The method further includes simultaneously forming polysilicon fins from material of the at least one deep trench capacitor and SOI fins from the SOI substrate. The method further includes forming an insulator layer on the polysilicon fins. The method further includes forming gate structures over the SOI fins and the insulator layer on the polysilicon fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Babar A. Khan, Masaharu Kobayashi, Effendi Leobandung, Theodorus E. Standaert, Xinhui Wang
  • Patent number: 11145813
    Abstract: A conductive microstud is formed in a recess of an insulator layer formed on the substrate. A bottom pedestal is formed on a top surface of the microstud. The material used for the bottom pedestal has a lower electrochemical voltage than a material used for the microstud. A top pedestal is formed on a top surface of the bottom pedestal. The top surface of at least one of the bottom pedestal and top pedestal is planarized. A conductive layer is formed on a top surface of the top pedestal. Next, a conical structure is formed. The conical structure is comprised of at least the conductive layer and a top portion of the top pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Theodorus E Standaert, Daniel C Edelstein
  • Publication number: 20210305494
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a base structure of an embedded memory device including a bottom electrode contact (BEC) landing pad within a memory area of the embedded memory device and a first metallization level having at least a first conductive line within a logic area of the embedded memory device, a cap layer disposed on the base structure, a BEC disposed through the cap layer on the BEC landing pad, a memory pillar disposed on the BEC and the cap layer, encapsulation layers encapsulating the memory pillar to protect the memory stack, and a second metallization level including a second conductive line surrounding the top electrode, a via disposed on the first conductive line such that the second via is below the top electrode, and a third conductive line disposed on the via to enable the memory pillar to be fitted between the first and second metallization levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 11121032
    Abstract: A method of forming an active device having self-aligned source/drain contacts and gate contacts, including, forming an active area on a substrate, where the active area includes a device channel; forming two or more gate structures on the device channel; forming a plurality of source/drains on the active area adjacent to the two or more gate structures and device channel; forming a protective layer on the surfaces of the two or more gate structures, plurality of source/drains, and active layer; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the protective layer; removing a portion of the interlayer dielectric and protective layer to form openings, where each opening exposes a portion of one of the plurality of source/drains; forming a source/drain contact liner in at least one of the plurality of openings; and forming a source/drain contact fill on the source/drain contact liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert, Junli Wang
  • Publication number: 20210249288
    Abstract: One or more processors determine a predicted sorting bin of a semiconductor device, based on measurement and test data performed on the semiconductor device subsequent to a current metallization layer. A current predicted sorting bin and a target sorting bin are determined by a machine learning model for the semiconductor device; the target bin include higher performance semiconductor devices than the predicted sorting bin. The model determines a performance level improvement attainable by adjustments made to process parameters of subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device. Adjustments to process parameters are generated, based on measurement and test data of the current metallization layer of semiconductor device, and the adjustment outputs for the process parameters of the subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device are made available to the one or more subsequent metallization layer processes by a feed-forward mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, James Stathis
  • Publication number: 20210242278
    Abstract: A dielectric spacer is formed laterally adjacent to a bottom conductive structure. The dielectric spacer is configured to limit the area in which a subsequently formed top contact structure can contact the bottom conductive structure. In some embodiments, only a topmost surface of the bottom conductive structure is contacted by the top contact structure. In other embodiments, a topmost surface and an upper sidewall surface of the bottom conductive structure is contacted by the top contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Baozhen Li, Theodorus E. Standaert, Koichi Motoyama
  • Patent number: 11081643
    Abstract: Form a metallized layer at a top surface of a semiconductor wafer. The metallized layer includes a bottom contact and a dielectric barrier surrounding the bottom contact. Deposit a memory stack layer onto the metallized layer. The memory stack layer forms a first overspill on a bevel of the wafer. Remove the first overspill from the bevel using a first high-angle ion beam during a cleanup etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saba Zare, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, Daniel C. Edelstein
  • Publication number: 20210234095
    Abstract: Embedded BEOL memory devices having a top electrode pillar are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an embedded memory device includes: depositing a first ILD on a substrate; forming first/second interconnect in the first ILD over logic/memory regions of the substrate; depositing a capping layer onto the first ILD; forming a memory film stack on the capping layer; patterning the memory film stack into a memory device(s) including a bottom electrode, a dielectric element, and a top electrode; patterning the top electrode to form a pillar-shaped top electrode; depositing a conformal encapsulation layer over the capping layer and memory device(s); depositing a second ILD over the conformal encapsulation layer; and forming a first metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the first interconnect(s), and a second metal line(s) in the second ILD in contact with the pillar-shaped top electrode. A device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Soon-Cheon Seo, Shyng-Tsong Chen, Youngseok Kim, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Publication number: 20210226120
    Abstract: Form a metallized layer at a top surface of a semiconductor wafer. The metallized layer includes a bottom contact and a dielectric barrier surrounding the bottom contact. Deposit a memory stack layer onto the metallized layer. The memory stack layer forms a first overspill on a bevel of the wafer. Remove the first overspill from the bevel using a first high-angle ion beam during a cleanup etch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saba Zare, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, Daniel C. Edelstein
  • Publication number: 20210210434
    Abstract: Methods and structures for improving alignment contrast for patterning a metal layer generally includes depositing a metal layer having a plurality of grains, wherein grain boundaries between the grains forms grooves at a surface of the metal layer. The metal layer is subjected to surface treatment to form an oxide or a nitride layer and fill the surface grooves. The metal layer can be patterned using alignment marks in the metal layer and/or underlying layers. Filling the grooves with the oxide or nitride increases alignment contrast relative to patterning the metal layer without the surface treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Dominik METZLER, Chih-Chao Yang, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 11056493
    Abstract: An integrated FinFET and deep trench capacitor structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one deep trench capacitor in a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate. The method further includes simultaneously forming polysilicon fins from material of the at least one deep trench capacitor and SOI fins from the SOI substrate. The method further includes forming an insulator layer on the polysilicon fins. The method further includes forming gate structures over the SOI fins and the insulator layer on the polysilicon fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin K. Chan, Sivananda K. Kanakasabapathy, Babar A. Khan, Masaharu Kobayashi, Effendi Leobandung, Theodorus E. Standaert, Xinhui Wang
  • Patent number: 11049744
    Abstract: One or more processors determine a predicted sorting bin of a semiconductor device, based on measurement and test data performed on the semiconductor device subsequent to a current metallization layer. A current predicted sorting bin and a target soring bin are determined by a machine learning model for the semiconductor device; the target bin include higher performance semiconductor devices than the predicted sorting bin. The model determines a performance level improvement attainable by adjustments made to process parameters of subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device. Adjustments to process parameters are generated, based on measurement and test data of the current metallization layer of semiconductor device, and the adjustment outputs for the process parameters of the subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device are made available to the one or more subsequent metallization layer processes by a feed-forward mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Nicholas A. Lanzillo, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, James Stathis
  • Patent number: 11031542
    Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) metallization structures and methods generally includes forming a landing pad on an interconnect structure. A multilayer structure including layers of metals and at least one insulating layer are provided on the structure and completely cover the landing pad. The landing pad is a metal-filled via and has a width dimension that is smaller than the multilayer structure, or the multilayer structure and the underlying metal conductor in the interconnect structure. The landing pad metal-filled via can have a width dimension that is sub-lithographic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Daniel Charles Edelstein, Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Publication number: 20210159394
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive shell layer along a memory stack and a patterned hardmask disposed on the memory stack, and etching the patterned hardmask, the conductive shell layer and the memory stack to form a structure including a central core surrounded by a conductive outer shell disposed on a patterned memory stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Rizzolo, Theodorus E. Standaert, Ashim Dutta, Dominik Metzler
  • Publication number: 20210134883
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a metallization stack that has one or more patterned metal layers in a logic area and a memory area. At least one memory device is disposed above the metallization stack. A first level logic metal layer is coupled to a patterned metal layer of the one or more patterned metal layers in the logic area. A first level memory metal layer is formed above the first level logic metal layer and is coupled to a top electrode of the memory device stack. A distance between the one or more patterned metal layers in the logic area and the first level logic metal layer is smaller than the distance between the one or more patterned metal layers in the memory area and the first level memory metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Ashim DUTTA, Chih-Chao YANG, Daniel Charles EDELSTEIN, John ARNOLD, Theodorus E. STANDAERT
  • Patent number: 10998227
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor structure is described. The method for metal insulator metal capacitor in an integrated circuit device includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. The first dielectric layer has a linear trench feature in which the capacitor is disposed. A bottom capacitor plate is formed in a lower portion of the trench. The bottom capacitor plate has an extended top face so that the extended top face extends upwards in a central region of the bottom capacitor plate metal relative to side regions. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the extended top face of the bottom capacitor plate. A top capacitor plate is formed in a top, remainder portion of the trench on top of the high-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Theodorus E Standaert
  • Patent number: 10998230
    Abstract: A method of forming an active device having self-aligned source/drain contacts and gate contacts, including, forming an active area on a substrate, where the active area includes a device channel; forming two or more gate structures on the device channel; forming a plurality of source/drains on the active area adjacent to the two or more gate structures and device channel; forming a protective layer on the surfaces of the two or more gate structures, plurality of source/drains, and active layer; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the protective layer; removing a portion of the interlayer dielectric and protective layer to form openings, where each opening exposes a portion of one of the plurality of source/drains; forming a source/drain contact liner in at least one of the plurality of openings; and forming a source/drain contact fill on the source/drain contact liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 10971601
    Abstract: Replacement metal gate structures with improved chamfered workfunction metal and self-aligned contact and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming a replacement metal gate structure in a dielectric material. The replacement metal gate structure is formed with a lower spacer and an upper spacer above the lower spacer. The upper spacer having material is different than material of the lower spacer. The method further includes forming a self-aligned contact adjacent to the replacement metal gate structure by patterning an opening within the dielectric material and filling the opening with contact material. The upper spacer prevents shorting with the contact material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus E. Standaert, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 10971398
    Abstract: Interconnect structures and processes of fabricating the interconnect structures generally includes partially or completely cobalt filled openings. The cobalt metal is conformally deposited onto a noble metal layer and thermally annealed to reflow the cobalt metal and partially or completely fill the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodorus E. Standaert, Chih-Chao Yang