Patents by Inventor Tianji ZHOU

Tianji ZHOU 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: 11944013
    Abstract: A second BEOL layer including a via dielectric layer surrounding a via including an upper metal stud and a lower metal stud separated by a liner, and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above the via. A first back end of line (BEOL) layer including a BEOL dielectric layer surrounding a BEOL metal layer, a second BEOL layer including a via dielectric layer surrounding a via including an upper metal stud and a lower metal stud separated by a liner, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above the via. Forming a via dielectric layer as a second back end of line (BEOL) layer, an opening, a lower metal stud in the opening, a liner on the lower metal stud and on exposed side surfaces of the opening, an upper metal stud in remaining portions of the opening, and forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Heng Wu, Dimitri Houssameddine, Huai Huang, Tianji Zhou
  • Patent number: 11876047
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes an insulative layer having a lowermost surface arranged on top of a bottom dielectric material. The semiconductor component further includes a first interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the first interconnect structure is arranged at a first height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a pillar connected to the first interconnect structure and extending through the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a second interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the second interconnect structure is arranged at a second height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The second height is different than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Saumya Sharma, Ashim Dutta, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230197506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to subtractive processing methods and resulting structures for semiconductor devices having decoupled interconnects. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first conductive line is formed in a dielectric layer. A conductive pillar is formed over the first conductive line and a liner is formed in a trench adjacent to the first conductive line. A portion of the liner extends over the conductive pillar. A lower metal line and a top via are subtractively formed on the liner in the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Saumya Sharma, Chih-Chao Yang, Tianji Zhou, Ashim Dutta
  • Publication number: 20230189660
    Abstract: An MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes a semiconductor device comprising a bottom contact electrode (BEC), and an MRAM stack formed on the BEC. A width of an upper portion of the BEC is less than a width of the MRAM stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: ASHIM DUTTA, SAUMYA SHARMA, TIANJI ZHOU, CHIH-CHAO YANG
  • Patent number: 11621294
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). Pillars of a set of memory elements are formed. A bilayer dielectric is formed between the pillars, the bilayer dielectric having an upper dielectric material formed on a lower dielectric material without requiring an etch of the lower dielectric material prior to forming the upper dielectric material, thereby preventing a void in the bilayer dielectric, the lower dielectric material including one or more flowable dielectric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20230091345
    Abstract: A second BEOL layer including a via dielectric layer surrounding a via including an upper metal stud and a lower metal stud separated by a liner, and a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above the via. A first back end of line (BEOL) layer including a BEOL dielectric layer surrounding a BEOL metal layer, a second BEOL layer including a via dielectric layer surrounding a via including an upper metal stud and a lower metal stud separated by a liner, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above the via. Forming a via dielectric layer as a second back end of line (BEOL) layer, an opening, a lower metal stud in the opening, a liner on the lower metal stud and on exposed side surfaces of the opening, an upper metal stud in remaining portions of the opening, and forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack aligned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Heng Wu, Dimitri Houssameddine, Huai Huang, Tianji Zhou
  • Publication number: 20230081953
    Abstract: A semiconductor component includes an insulative layer having a lowermost surface arranged on top of a bottom dielectric material. The semiconductor component further includes a first interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the first interconnect structure is arranged at a first height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a pillar connected to the first interconnect structure and extending through the insulative layer. The semiconductor component further includes a second interconnect structure arranged in the bottom dielectric material such that an uppermost surface of the second interconnect structure is arranged at a second height relative to the lowermost surface of the insulative layer. The second height is different than the first height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Saumya Sharma, Ashim Dutta, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11361987
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor apparatus includes forming a first bottom interconnect in a device area of a first dielectric layer; fabricating a device on top of the first bottom interconnect; capping the device with a first interlayer dielectric; exposing a logic area of the first dielectric layer that is adjacent to the device area by removing a portion of the first interlayer dielectric from the first dielectric layer while leaving another portion of the first interlayer dielectric that caps the device; and forming a second bottom interconnect in the logic area of the first dielectric layer. By forming the second bottom interconnect after the device fabrication and capping, damage to the device and to the second bottom interconnect is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11251368
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallization layer containing a first metal-containing line and a second metal-containing line disposed in a first interlevel dielectric layer. The first metal-containing line includes a first conductive metal and the second metal-containing line includes a second conductive metal. The first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line are recessed to below a top surface of the interlevel dielectric layer. A metal-containing cap protection layer is deposited in a recessed portion of the first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line. The metal-containing cap protection layer includes a third conductive metal which is different than the first conductive metal and the second conductive metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11244907
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Dominik Metzler, Chih-Chao Yang, Theodorus E. Standaert
  • Patent number: 11239160
    Abstract: E-fuses and techniques for fabrication thereof using dielectric zipping are provided. An e-fuse device includes: a first dielectric layer disposed on a substrate; at least one first electrode of the e-fuse device present in the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer; vias present in the second dielectric layer, wherein at least one of the vias is present over the at least one first electrode and has a critical dimension CDA?, wherein the vias adjacent to the at least one via having the critical dimension CDA? each have a critical dimension of CDB?, and wherein CDB?>CDA?; a liner disposed in each of the vias; and a metal that serves as a second electrode of the e-fuse device disposed in each of the vias over the liner. A method of operating an e-fuse device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11227997
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming a planar Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device with a shared top electrode. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first trench having a first width and a second trench having a second width less than the first width are formed in a dielectric layer. A bottom liner is formed on sidewalls of the first trench. The bottom liner pinches off the second trench. A top liner is formed on sidewalls of the bottom liner in the first trench. The top liner is formed such that a portion of the bottom liner at a bottommost region of the first trench remains exposed. The exposed portion of the bottom liner is removed, and a memory cell material is formed in the first trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20220013723
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming a planar Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device with a shared top electrode. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first trench having a first width and a second trench having a second width less than the first width are formed in a dielectric layer. A bottom liner is formed on sidewalls of the first trench. The bottom liner pinches off the second trench. A top liner is formed on sidewalls of the bottom liner in the first trench. The top liner is formed such that a portion of the bottom liner at a bottommost region of the first trench remains exposed. The exposed portion of the bottom liner is removed, and a memory cell material is formed in the first trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20210391256
    Abstract: E-fuses and techniques for fabrication thereof using dielectric zipping are provided. An e-fuse device includes: a first dielectric layer disposed on a substrate; at least one first electrode of the e-fuse device present in the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the first dielectric layer; vias present in the second dielectric layer, wherein at least one of the vias is present over the at least one first electrode and has a critical dimension CDA?, wherein the vias adjacent to the at least one via having the critical dimension CDA? each have a critical dimension of CDB?, and wherein CDB?>CDA?; a liner disposed in each of the vias; and a metal that serves as a second electrode of the e-fuse device disposed in each of the vias over the liner. A method of operating an e-fuse device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Ashim DUTTA, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20210375986
    Abstract: A technique relates to an integrated circuit (IC). Pillars of a set of memory elements are formed. A bilayer dielectric is formed between the pillars, the bilayer dielectric having an upper dielectric material formed on a lower dielectric material without requiring an etch of the lower dielectric material prior to forming the upper dielectric material, thereby preventing a void in the bilayer dielectric, the lower dielectric material including one or more flowable dielectric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20210358801
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor apparatus includes forming a first bottom interconnect in a device area of a first dielectric layer; fabricating a device on top of the first bottom interconnect; capping the device with a first interlayer dielectric; exposing a logic area of the first dielectric layer that is adjacent to the device area by removing a portion of the first interlayer dielectric from the first dielectric layer while leaving another portion of the first interlayer dielectric that caps the device; and forming a second bottom interconnect in the logic area of the first dielectric layer. By forming the second bottom interconnect after the device fabrication and capping, damage to the device and to the second bottom interconnect is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma, Tianji Zhou, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Patent number: 11177213
    Abstract: An anti-fuse device having enhanced programming efficiency is provided. The anti-fuse device includes via contact structures that have different critical dimensions located between a first electrode and a second electrode. Notably, a first via contact structure having a first critical dimension is provided between a pair of second via contact structures having a second critical dimension that is greater than the first critical dimension. When a voltage is applied to the device, dielectric breakdown will occur first through the first via contact structure having the first critical dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Baozhen Li, Tianji Zhou, Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210328137
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first metallization layer containing a first metal-containing line and a second metal-containing line disposed in a first interlevel dielectric layer. The first metal-containing line includes a first conductive metal and the second metal-containing line includes a second conductive metal. The first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line are recessed to below a top surface of the interlevel dielectric layer. A metal-containing cap protection layer is deposited in a recessed portion of the first metal-containing line and the second metal-containing line. The metal-containing cap protection layer includes a third conductive metal which is different than the first conductive metal and the second conductive metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tianji Zhou, Saumya Sharma, Ashim Dutta, Chih-Chao Yang
  • Publication number: 20210233843
    Abstract: An anti-fuse device having enhanced programming efficiency is provided. The anti-fuse device includes via contact structures that have different critical dimensions located between a first electrode and a second electrode. Notably, a first via contact structure having a first critical dimension is provided between a pair of second via contact structures having a second critical dimension that is greater than the first critical dimension. When a voltage is applied to the device, dielectric breakdown will occur first through the first via contact structure having the first critical dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Chih-Chao Yang, Baozhen Li, Tianji Zhou, Ashim Dutta, Saumya Sharma
  • 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