Patents by Inventor William Budge

William Budge 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: 7632737
    Abstract: A method including, prior to a plasma heat-up operation, forming a liner on structure coated with an insulator. And a method including forming a trench on a substrate, forming an insulator on the trench, and after forming a liner having a thickness of between about 50 angstroms and about 400 angstroms on the insulator, applying a plasma heat-up operation to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li
  • Patent number: 7521354
    Abstract: A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. An oxide comprising interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is formed over the substrate. After forming the carbon comprising dielectric layer, it is exposed to a plasma comprising oxygen effective to reduce the dielectric constant to below what it was prior to said exposing. A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. In a chamber, an interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited over the substrate at subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Weimin Li, Zhiping Yin, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7501691
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7494894
    Abstract: A method including, prior to a plasma heat-up operation, forming a liner on a structure coated with an insulator. And a method including forming a trench on a substrate, forming an insulator on the trench, and after forming a liner having a thickness of between about 50 angstroms and about 400 angstroms on the insulator, applying a plasma heat-up operation to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li
  • Patent number: 7479440
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, William Budge
  • Publication number: 20070290294
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Smythe, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7273793
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of filling gaps in a semiconductor substrate. A substrate and a gas mixture containing at least one heavy-hydrogen compound are provided within a reaction chamber. The gas mixture is reacted to form a layer of material over the substrate by simultaneous deposition and etch of the layer. The layer of material fills the gap such that the material within the gap is essentially void-free. The invention includes a method of providing improved deposition rate uniformity. A material is deposited over a surface in the presence of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of D2, HD, DT, T2 and TH. The net deposition rate during the deposition has a degree of variance across the surface which is measurably improved relative to a corresponding degree of variance that occurs during deposition utilizing H2 under otherwise substantially identical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7271463
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, William Budge
  • Publication number: 20070111470
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Smythe, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7219114
    Abstract: A method for an accurate approximation to Slerp function that is much faster to compute on current processors. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for obtaining an interpolated quaternion comprising forming a first product of a first quaternion and a first scaling function; forming a second product of a second quaternion and a second scaling function; and forming a sum of the first product and the second product, wherein the first scaling function is approximated by obtaining a first polynomial and wherein the second scaling function is approximated by obtaining a second polynomial, thus obtaining an interpolated quaternion that is in between the first quaternion and the second quaternion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Patent Purchase Manager, LLC
    Inventor: William Budge
  • Patent number: 7214979
    Abstract: A process for selectively depositing a silicon oxide layer onto silicon substrates of different conductivity types is disclosed. The silicon oxide layer is formed by the ozone decomposition of TEOS at relatively low temperatures and relatively high pressures. Use of the process to produce layers, spacers, memory units, and gates is also disclosed, as well as the structures so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Budge, Gurtej S Sandhu, Christopher W Hill
  • Patent number: 7202183
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of filling gaps in a semiconductor substrate. A substrate and a gas mixture containing at least one heavy-hydrogen compound are provided within a reaction chamber. The gas mixture is reacted to form a layer of material over the substrate by simultaneous deposition and etch of the layer. The layer of material fills the gap such that the material within the gap is essentially void-free. The invention includes a method of providing improved deposition rate uniformity. A material is deposited over a surface in the presence of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of D2, HD, DT, T2 and TH. The net deposition rate during the deposition has a degree of variance across the surface which is measurably improved relative to a corresponding degree of variance that occurs during deposition utilizing H2 under otherwise substantially identical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7192893
    Abstract: A process for enhanced selective deposition of a silicon oxide onto a substrate by pulsing delivery of the reactants through a linear injector is disclosed. The silicon oxide layer is formed by the ozone decomposition of TEOS at relatively low temperatures and relatively high pressures. The ozone delivery is pulsed on and off. Optionally, the delivery of the ozone and the delivery of the TEOS are pulsed on and off alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: William Budge, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Christopher W. Hill
  • Publication number: 20060270240
    Abstract: A method including, prior to a plasma heat-up operation, forming a liner on structure coated with an insulator. And a method including forming a trench on a substrate, forming an insulator on the trench, and after forming a liner having a thickness of between about 50 angstroms and about 400 angstroms on the insulator, applying a plasma heat-up operation to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Neal Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li
  • Patent number: 7078356
    Abstract: A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. An oxide comprising interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is formed over the substrate. After forming the carbon comprising dielectric layer, it is exposed to a plasma comprising oxygen effective to reduce the dielectric constant to below what it was prior to said exposing. A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. In a chamber, an interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited over the substrate at subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Weimin Li, Zhiping Yin, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7067414
    Abstract: A low k inter-level dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. An oxide-comprising inter-level dielectric layer including carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is formed over the substrate. After forming the dielectric layer, it is exposed to a plasma including oxygen effective to reduce the dielectric constant to below what it was prior to the exposing. A low k inter-level dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least patially formed thereon. In a chamber, an inter-level dielectric layer including carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited over the substrate at subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Weimin Li, Zhiping Yin, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7067415
    Abstract: A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. An oxide comprising interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is formed over the substrate. After forming the carbon comprising dielectric layer, it is exposed to a plasma comprising oxygen effective to reduce the dielectric constant to below what it was prior to said exposing. A low k interlevel dielectric layer fabrication method includes providing a substrate having integrated circuitry at least partially formed thereon. In a chamber, an interlevel dielectric layer comprising carbon and having a dielectric constant no greater than 3.5 is plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited over the substrate at subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Weimin Li, Zhiping Yin, William Budge
  • Publication number: 20060134924
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of filling gaps in a semiconductor substrate. A substrate and a gas mixture containing at least one heavy-hydrogen compound are provided within a reaction chamber. The gas mixture is reacted to form a layer of material over the substrate by simultaneous deposition and etch of the layer. The layer of material fills the gap such that the material within the gap is essentially void-free. The invention includes a method of providing improved deposition rate uniformity. A material is deposited over a surface in the presence of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of D2, HD, DT, T2 and TH. The net deposition rate during the deposition has a degree of variance across the surface which is measurably improved relative to a corresponding degree of variance that occurs during deposition utilizing H2 under otherwise substantially identical conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Neal Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20060125043
    Abstract: A method of depositing dielectric material into sub-micron spaces and resultant structures is provided. After a trench is etched in the surface of a wafer, a liner layer preferably is deposited into the trench. An anisotropic plasma process is then performed on the trench. A silicon layer may be deposited on the base of the trench during the plasma process, or the plasma can treat the liner layer. The trench is then filled with a spin-on precursor. A densification or reaction process is then applied to convert the spin-on material into an insulator, and oxidizing the silicon rich layer on the base of the trench. The resulting trench has a consistent etch rate from top to bottom of the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: John Smythe, William Budge
  • Patent number: 7056833
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of filling gaps in a semiconductor substrate. A substrate and a gas mixture containing at least one heavy-hydrogen compound are provided within a reaction chamber. The gas mixture is reacted to form a layer of material over the substrate by simultaneous deposition and etch of the layer. The layer of material fills the gap such that the material within the gap is essentially void-free. The invention includes a method of providing improved deposition rate uniformity. A material is deposited over a surface in the presence of at least one gas selected from the group consisting of D2, HD, DT, T2 and TH. The net deposition rate during the deposition has a degree of variance across the surface which is measurably improved relative to a corresponding degree of variance that occurs during deposition utilizing H2 under otherwise substantially identical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Rueger, William Budge, Weimin Li, Gurtej S. Sandhu