Patents by Inventor William H. Brearley

William H. Brearley 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: 7645700
    Abstract: A method and structure for a composite stud contact interface with a decreased contact resistance and improved reliability. A selective dry etch is used which comprises a fluorine containing gas. The contact resistance is reduced by partially dry-etching back the tungsten contact after or during the M1 RIE process. The recessed contact is then subsequently metalized during the M1 liner/plating process. The tungsten contact height is reduced after it has been fully formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodorus E Standaert, William H Brearley, Stephen E Greco, Sujatha Sankaran
  • Patent number: 7323410
    Abstract: A method and structure for a composite stud contact interface with a decreased contact resistance and improved reliability. A selective dry etch is used which comprises a fluorine containing gas. The contact resistance is reduced by partially dry-etching back the tungsten contact after or during the M1 RIE process. The recessed contact is then subsequently metalized during the M1 liner/plating process. The tungsten contact height is reduced after it has been fully formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodorus E. Standaert, William H. Brearley, Stephen E. Greco, Sujatha Sankaran
  • Patent number: 6531069
    Abstract: RIE processing chambers includes arrangements of gas outlets which force gas-flow-shadow elimination. Means are provided to control and adjust the direction of gases to the outlet to modify and control the direction of plasma flow at the wafer surface during processing. Means are provided to either move the exhaust paths for exhaust gases or to open and close exhaust paths sequentially, in a controlled manner, to modify flow directions of ions in the etching plasma. A combination of rotation/oscillation of a magnetic field imposed on the RIE chamber can be employed by rotation of permanent magnetic dipoles about the periphery of the RIE chamber or by controlling current through a coil wrapped around the periphery of the RIE process chamber to enhance the removal of the residues attributable to gas-flow-shadows formed by linear ion paths in the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Peter C. Wade, William H. Brearley, Jonathan H. Griffith
  • Patent number: 6293457
    Abstract: Form a solder connector on a semiconductor device starting with a first step of forming at least one dielectric layer over a doped semiconductor substrate. Then form a hole through the dielectric layer down to the semiconductor substrate. Form a metal conductor in the hole. Form intermediate layers over the metal conductor and the dielectric layer. Then form a tapered opening down to the surface of the metal conductor. Form BLM layers including a titanium-tungsten (TiW) layer over the metal conductor and the dielectric layer with the remainder of the BLM layers being formed over the TiW layer. Form a mask over the top surface of the BLM layers with a patterning through hole located above the metal conductor exposing a portion of the surface of the BLM layers. Plate a C4 solder bump on the BLM layers in the patterning hole. Remove the mask. Wet etch away the BLM layers aside from the solder bump leaving a residual TiW layer over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kamalesh K. Srivastava, Jonathan H. Griffith, Mary C. Cullinan-Scholl, William H. Brearley, Peter C. Wade