Patents by Inventor Thomas N. Adam

Thomas N. Adam 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: 9006789
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer present on a semiconductor substrate, and a second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer that present on the first lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer, wherein the second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer has a greater lattice dimension than the first lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer, and the second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer has a compressive strain present therein. A gate structure is present on a channel portion of the second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer, wherein the channel portion of second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer has the compressive strain. A source region and a drain region are present on opposing sides of the channel portion of the second lattice dimension III-V semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150084101
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure including semiconductor fins, a gate over a middle portion of the semiconductor fins, and faceted semiconductor regions outside of the gate separated from gaps may be formed. The semiconductor structure may be formed by forming fins on a semiconductor substrate where each fin has a pair of sidewalls aligned parallel to the length of the fin, growing dummy semiconductor regions on the sidewalls of the fins, forming a sacrificial gate that covers a center portion of the fins and the dummy semiconductor regions, removing portions of the dummy semiconductor regions not covered by the sacrificial gate, and growing faceted semiconductor regions on the sidewalls of the portions of the fins not covered by the sacrificial gate. The faceted semiconductor regions may intersect to form gaps between the faceted semiconductor regions and the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150087120
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes epitaxial raised source/drain (RSD) regions formed on the surface of a semiconductor substrate through selective epitaxial growth. In one embodiment, the faceted side portions of the RSD regions are utilized to form cavity regions which may be filled with a dielectric material to form dielectric spacer regions. Spacers may be formed over the dielectric spacer regions. In another embodiment, the faceted side portions may be selectively grown to form air gap spacer regions in the cavity regions. A conformal spacer layer with interior and exterior surfaces may be formed in the cavity region, creating an air gap spacer defined by the interior surfaces of the conformal spacer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Juntao Li, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8987069
    Abstract: A substrate with two SiGe regions having different Germanium concentrations and a method for making the same. The method includes: providing a substrate with at least two active regions; epitaxially depositing a first SiGe layer over each active regions; epitaxially depositing a Silicon layer over each SiGe layer; epitaxially depositing a second SiGe layer over each Silicon layer; forming a hard mask over the second SiGe layer of one of the active regions; removing the epitaxially deposited second SiGe layer of the unmasked active region, removing the hard mask, and thermally mixing the remaining Silicon and SiGe layers of the active regions to form a new SiGe layer with uniform Germanium concentration for each of the active regions, where the new SiGe layer with uniform Germanium concentration of one of the at least two active regions has a different concentration of Germanium than the new SiGe layer with uniform Germanium concentration of the other SiGe layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8987093
    Abstract: Method of forming multi-gate finFETs with epitaxially-grown merged source/drains. Embodiments of the invention may include forming a plurality of semiconductor fins joined by a plurality of inter-fin semiconductor regions, depositing a sacrificial gate over a center portion of each of the plurality of fins, forming a first merge layer over a first end of each of the plurality of fins to form a first merged fin region, forming a second merge layer over the second end of each of the plurality of fins to form a second merged fin region, etching a portion of the first merged fin region to form a first source/drain base region, etching a portion of the second merged fin region to form a second source/drain base region, forming a first source/drain region on the first source/drain base region, and forming a second source/drain region on the second source/drain base region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Harley, Judson Robert Holt, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas N. Adam
  • Patent number: 8981493
    Abstract: An improved finFET and method of fabrication is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention take advantage of the different epitaxial growth rates of {110} and {100} silicon. Fins are formed that have {110} silicon on the fin tops and {100} silicon on the long fin sides (sidewalls). The lateral epitaxial growth rate is faster than the vertical epitaxial growth rate. The resulting merged fins have a reduced merged region in the vertical dimension, which reduces parasitic capacitance. Other fins are formed with {110} silicon on the fin tops and also {110} silicon on the long fin sides. These fins have a slower epitaxial growth rate than the {100} side fins, and remain unmerged in a semiconductor integrated circuit, such as an SRAM circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Thomas N. Adam, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8975125
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided that includes providing a material stack that includes a silicon layer, a doped semiconductor layer, and an undoped silicon germanium layer. At least one fin structure is formed from the material stack by etching through the undoped silicon germanium layer, the doped semiconductor layer, and etching a portion of the silicon-containing layer. An isolation region is formed in contact with at least one end of the at least one fin structure. An anodization process removes the doped semiconductor layer of the at least one fin structure to provide a void. A dielectric layer is deposited to fill the void that is present between the silicon layer and the doped semiconductor layer. Source and drain regions are then formed on a channel portion of the at least one fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150060944
    Abstract: A FET structure including epitaxial source and drain regions includes large contact areas and exhibits both low resistivity and low parasitic gate to source/drain capacitance. The source and drain regions are laterally etched to provide recesses for accommodating low-k dielectric material without compromising the contact area between the source/drain regions and their associated contacts. A high-k dielectric layer is provided between the raised source/drain regions and a gate conductor as well as between the gate conductor and a substrate, such as an ETSOI or PDSOI substrate. The structure is usable in electronic devices such as MOSFET devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150061021
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an active layer located on a substrate and a first and a second gate structure located on the active layer. A first raised epitaxial region is located on the active layer between the first and the second gate. The first raised epitaxial region has a first facet shaped edge and a first vertical shape edge, such that the first facet shaped edge is located adjacent the first gate structure. A second raised epitaxial region is also located on the active layer between the first and the second gate structure. The second raised epitaxial region has a second facet shaped edge and a second vertical shape edge, such that the second facet shaped edge is located adjacent the second gate structure. A trench region is located between the first and the second vertical shaped edge for electrically isolating the first and the second raised epitaxial region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150054081
    Abstract: An electrical device is provided that includes a substrate having an upper semiconductor layer, a buried dielectric layer and a base semiconductor layer. At least one isolation region is present in the substrate that defines a semiconductor device region and a resistor device region. The semiconductor device region includes a semiconductor device having a back gate structure that is present in the base semiconductor layer. Electrical contact to the back gate structure is provided by doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars that extend through the buried dielectric layer. An epitaxial semiconductor resistor is present in the resistor device region. Undoped epitaxial semiconductor pillars extending from the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to the base semiconductor layer provide a pathway for heat generated by the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to be dissipated to the base semiconductor layer. The undoped and doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars are composed of the same epitaxial semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20150056792
    Abstract: An improved finFET and method of fabrication is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention take advantage of the different epitaxial growth rates of {110} and {100} silicon. Fins are formed that have {110} silicon on the fin tops and {100} silicon on the long fin sides (sidewalls). The lateral epitaxial growth rate is faster than the vertical epitaxial growth rate. The resulting merged fins have a reduced merged region in the vertical dimension, which reduces parasitic capacitance. Other fins are formed with {110} silicon on the fin tops and also {110} silicon on the long fin sides. These fins have a slower epitaxial growth rate than the {100} side fins, and remain unmerged in a semiconductor integrated circuit, such as an SRAM circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Intemational Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8962434
    Abstract: A method including providing a semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device, the first and second semiconductor devices including dummy spacers, dummy gates, and extension regions; protecting the second semiconductor device with a mask; removing the dummy spacers from the first semiconductor device; and depositing in-situ doped epitaxial regions on top of the extension regions of the first semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas N. Adam
  • Patent number: 8956938
    Abstract: An electrical device is provided that includes a substrate having an upper semiconductor layer, a buried dielectric layer and a base semiconductor layer. At least one isolation region is present in the substrate that defines a semiconductor device region and a resistor device region. The semiconductor device region includes a semiconductor device having a back gate structure that is present in the base semiconductor layer. Electrical contact to the back gate structure is provided by doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars that extend through the buried dielectric layer. An epitaxial semiconductor resistor is present in the resistor device region. Undoped epitaxial semiconductor pillars extending from the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to the base semiconductor layer provide a pathway for heat generated by the epitaxial semiconductor resistor to be dissipated to the base semiconductor layer. The undoped and doped epitaxial semiconductor pillars are composed of the same epitaxial semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas N. Adam
  • Publication number: 20150041908
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) device comprises forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, epitaxially growing a sacrificial epitaxy region between the fins, stopping growth of the sacrificial epitaxy region at a beginning of merging of epitaxial shapes between neighboring fins, and forming a dielectric layer on the substrate including the fins and the sacrificial epitaxy region, wherein a portion of the dielectric layer is positioned between the sacrificial epitaxy region extending from fins of adjacent transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Hong He, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8946033
    Abstract: A merged fin finFET and method of fabrication. The finFET includes: two or more single-crystal semiconductor fins on a top surface of an insulating layer on semiconductor substrate, each fin of the two or more fins having a central region between and abutting first and second end regions and opposite sides, top surfaces and sidewalls of the two or more fins are (100) surfaces and the longitudinal axes of the two or more fins aligned with a [100] direction; a gate dielectric layer on each fin of the two or more fins; an electrically conductive gate over the gate dielectric layer over the central region of each fin of the of two or more fins; and a merged source/drain comprising an a continuous layer of epitaxial semiconductor material on ends of each fin of the two or more fins, the ends on a same side of the conductive gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Keith E. Fogel, Jinghong Li, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8946064
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer on a germanium-containing silicon layer and forming a gate structure on a surface of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer. Well trenches are etched into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate structure. The etch process for forming the well trenches forms an undercut region extending under the gate structure and is selective to the germanium-containing silicon layer. Stress inducing semiconductor material is epitaxially grown to fill at least a portion of the well trench to provide at least one of a stress inducing source region and a stress inducing drain region having a planar base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Judson R. Holt, Alexander Reznicek, Thomas A. Wallner
  • Patent number: 8921908
    Abstract: A device including a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate including a semiconductor device region and a capacitor device region. A semiconductor device present in the semiconductor device region. The semiconductor device including a gate structure present on a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) layer of the SOI substrate, extension source and drain regions present in the SOI layer on opposing sides of the gate structure, and raised source and drain regions composed of a first portion of an epitaxial semiconductor material on the SOI layer. A capacitor is present in the capacitor device region, said capacitor including a first electrode comprised of a second portion of the epitaxial semiconductor material that has a same composition and crystal structure as the first portion of the epitaxial semiconductor material, a node dielectric layer present on the second portion of the epitaxial semiconductor material, and a second electrode comprised of a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20140374796
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region includes a first semiconductor layer composed of a group IV semiconductor material having a top surface and a back surface. The first semiconductor layer has an opening in the top surface to at least a depth greater than an aspect ratio trapping (ART) distance. The first semiconductor region also has a second semiconductor layer composed of a group III/V semiconductor compound deposited within the opening and on the top surface of the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer forms an ART region from the bottom of the opening to the ART distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 8916443
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing an active layer and forming adjacent gate structures on the active layer. The gate structures each have sidewalls such that first spacers are formed on the sidewalls. A raised region is epitaxially grown on the active layer between the adjacent gate structures and at least one trench that extends through the raised region and through the active region is formed, whereby the at least one trench separates the raised region into a first raised region corresponding to a first transistor and a second raised region corresponding to a second transistor. The first raised region and second raised region are electrically isolated by the at least one trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Adam, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Publication number: 20140361314
    Abstract: Semiconductor alloy fin structures can be formed by recessing a semiconductor material layer including a first semiconductor material to form a trench, and epitaxially depositing a semiconductor alloy material of the first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material within the trench. The semiconductor alloy material is epitaxially aligned to the first semiconductor material in the semiconductor material layer. First semiconductor fins including the first semiconductor material and second semiconductor fins including the semiconductor alloy material can be simultaneously formed. In one embodiment, the first and second semiconductor fins can be formed on an insulator layer, which prevents diffusion of the second semiconductor material to the first semiconductor fins. In another embodiment, shallow trench isolation structures and reverse biased wells can be employed to provide electrical insulation among neighboring semiconductor fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Thomas N. Adam, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek