Patents by Inventor Willi Volksen

Willi Volksen 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: 20040070877
    Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Miller, Alfred Floyd Renaldo, Willi Volksen, Howard Gordon Zolla
  • Patent number: 6685983
    Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, David Mecerreyes, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20040012076
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants of less than 2.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6670285
    Abstract: Dielectric compositions comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by admixing a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer in a suitable solvent, heating the admixture to cure the polymer and provide a vitrified matrix, and then decomposing the porogen using heat, radiation, or a chemical reagent effective to degrade the porogen. The highly porous dielectric materials so prepared have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0. Integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices manufactured so as to contain the dielectric material of the invention are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6660640
    Abstract: A process for planarizing a patterned metal structure for a magnetic thin film head includes the steps of applying an encapsulation/planarizing material on a substrate, spinning the substrate in a photoresist spinner or similar machine, curing the encapsulation/planarizing layer by energetic particles such as an electron beam. The planarizing process further comprises the step of polishing the entire structure using a conventional chemical-mechanical polishing step. The curing step takes place at the substrate temperature less than 200° C., which prevents the damages of the thin film head structures such as MR and GMR sensors. This process is cheap, efficient and easy to apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dennis Miller, Alfred Floyd Renaldo, Willi Volksen, Howard Gordon Zolla
  • Publication number: 20030152706
    Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, David Mecerreyes, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20030146451
    Abstract: Dielectric compositions comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by admixing a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer in a suitable solvent, heating the admixture to cure the polymer and provide a vitrified matrix, and then decomposing the porogen using heat, radiation, or a chemical reagent effective to degrade the porogen. The highly porous dielectric materials so prepared have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0. Integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices manufactured so as to contain the dielectric material of the invention are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Elbert Emin Huang, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6541865
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants less than about 3.0, with some materials having dielectric constants less than about 2.5. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20020130396
    Abstract: Dielectric compositions comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric compositions are prepared by admixing a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer in a suitable solvent, heating the admixture to cure the polymer and provide a vitrified matrix, and then decomposing the porogen using heat, radiation, or a chemical reagent effective to degrade the porogen. The highly porous dielectric materials so prepared have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0. Integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices manufactured so as to contain the dielectric material of the invention are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Publication number: 20020131246
    Abstract: Defect-free dielectric coatings comprised of porous polymeric matrices are prepared using nitrogen-containing polymers as pore-generating agents. The dielectric coatings are useful in a number of contexts, including the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric coatings are prepared by admixing, in a solvent, a polymeric nitrogenous porogen with a high temperature, thermosetting host polymer miscible therewith, coating a substrate surface with the admixture, heating the uncured coating to cure the host polymer and provide a vitrified, two-phase matrix, and then decomposing the porogen. The dielectric coatings so prepared have few if any defects, and depending on the amount and molecular weight of porogen used, can be prepared so as to have an exceptionally low dielectric constant on the order of 2.5 or less, preferably less than about 2.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Elbert Emin Huang, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Teddie Magbitang, David Mecerreyes, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6342454
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants less than about 3.0, with some materials having dielectric constants less than about 2.5. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6333141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming an integrated circuit device comprising (i) a substrate; (ii) metallic circuit lines positioned on the substrate and (iii) a dielectric material positioned on the circuit lines. The dielectric material comprises porous organic polysilica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Raymond Carter, Richard Anthony Dipietro, Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Victor YeeWay Lee, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen, Do Yeung Yoon
  • Publication number: 20010040294
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants less than about 3.0, with some materials having dielectric constants less than about 2.5. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6177360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making an integrated circuit device comprising (i) a substrate, (ii) metallic circuit lines positioned on the substrate, and (iii) a dielectric material positioned on the circuit lines. The dielectric material comprises the condensation product of silsesquioxane in the presence of a photosensitive or thermally sensitive base generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Raymond Carter, Robert Frances Cook, Martha Alyne Harbison, Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Victor Yee-Way Lee, Eric Gerhard Liniger, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen, Do Yeung Yoon
  • Patent number: 6143643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming an integrated circuit device comprising (i) a substrate; (ii) metallic circuit lines positioned on the substrate and (iii) a dielectric material positioned on the circuit lines. The dielectric material comprises porous organic polysilica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Raymond Carter, Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Victor YeeWay Lee, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen, Do Yeung Yoon
  • Patent number: 6107357
    Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of electronic devices such as integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by crosslinking a thermally decomposable porogen to a host polymer via a coupling agent, followed by heating to a temperature suitable to decompose the porogen. The porous materials that result have dielectric constants less than about 3.0, with some materials having dielectric constants less than about 2.5. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of manufacture are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporatrion
    Inventors: Craig Jon Hawker, James L. Hedrick, Robert D. Miller, Willi Volksen
  • Patent number: 6093636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming an integrated circuit device comprising (i) a substrate; (ii) metallic circuit lines positioned on the substrate and (iii) a dielectric material positioned on the circuit lines. The dielectric material comprises porous organic polyarylene ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Raymond Carter, Daniel Joseph Dawson, Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Jeffrey Curtis Hedrick, Victor YeeWay Lee, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen, Do Yeung Yoon
  • Patent number: 5953627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making an integrated circuit device comprising (I) a substrate, (ii) metallic circuit lines positioned on the substrate, and (iii) a dielectric material positioned on the circuit lines. The dielectric material comprises the condensation product of silsesquioxane precursor in the presence of an organic amine having a boiling point greater than 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Raymond Carter, Robert Francis Cook, Martha Alyne Harbison, Craig Jon Hawker, James Lupton Hedrick, Sung-Mog Kim, Eric Gerhard Liniger, Robert Dennis Miller, Willi Volksen, Do Yeung Yoon
  • Patent number: 5866627
    Abstract: New photosensitive polyamic acid precursors are disclosed which have the formula: ##STR1## where Z is a tetravalent organic radical which contains at least one aromatic ring, Z' is a divalent organic radical which contains at least one aromatic ring, and R* is a photo polymerizable group. Particularly preferred compounds include BPDA-PDA and BPDA-ODA polyamic acid precursors. The precursor compositions within the practice of this invention are i-line, g-line, and i-/g-line active and show good photoresolution. The films formed exhibit excellent self-adhesion and adhesion to glass ceramic and silicon wafer substrates have low internal stress, a very low degree of solvent swelling, high thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties such as high modulus/tensile strength and high elongation at break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George Czornyj, Moonhor Ree, Willi Volksen, Dominic Changwon Yang
  • Patent number: 5633034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a circuit assembly comprising (i) coating onto a substrate a layer of polyamic ester selected from a unique class of polyamic esters; (ii) imidizing the polyamic ester to form a layer of polyimide having an even surface and (iii) forming circuit conductors on the even surface of the polyimide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Carter, Richard A. DiPietro, James L. Hedrick, John P. Hummel, Robert D. Miller, Martha I. Sanchez, Willi Volksen, Do Y. Yoon