Patents by Inventor William R. Tonti

William R. Tonti 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: 7804124
    Abstract: Device and design structures for memory cells in a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The device structure includes a semiconductor body in direct contact with the insulating layer, a control gate electrode, and a floating gate electrode in direct contact with the insulating layer. The semiconductor body includes a source, a drain, and a channel between the source and the drain. The floating gate electrode is juxtaposed with the channel of the semiconductor body and is disposed between the control gate electrode and the insulating layer. A first dielectric layer is disposed between the channel of the semiconductor body and the floating gate electrode. A second dielectric layer is disposed between the control gate electrode and the floating gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Publication number: 20100230781
    Abstract: Trench anti-fuse structures, design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a programmable integrated circuit. The anti-fuse structure includes a trench having a plurality of sidewalls that extend into a substrate, a doped region in the semiconductor material of the substrate proximate to the sidewalls of the trench, a conductive plug in the trench, and a dielectric layer on the sidewalls of the trench. The dielectric layer is disposed between the conductive plug and the doped region. The dielectric layer is configured so that a programming voltage applied between the doped region and the conductive plug causes a breakdown of the dielectric layer within a region of the trench. The trench sidewalls are arranged with a cross-sectional geometrical shape that is independent of position between a bottom wall of the deep trench and a top surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, JR., Kangguo Cheng, Jack A. Mandelman, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7790564
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a device structure in a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate. The method includes forming a first isolation region in the substrate device layer that extends from a top surface of the device layer to a first depth and forming a second isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from the top surface of the semiconductor layer to a second depth greater than the first depth. The method further includes forming a doped region of the device structure in the semiconductor layer that is located vertically between the first isolation region and the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, Robert R. Robison, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7790543
    Abstract: Device structures for a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) that is suitable for operation at relatively high voltages and methods of forming same. The MOSFET, which is formed using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, includes a channel in a semiconductor body that is self-aligned with a gate electrode. The gate electrode and semiconductor body, which are both formed from the monocrystalline SOI layer of the SOI substrate, are separated by a gap that is filled by a gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer may be composed of thermal oxide layers grown on adjacent sidewalls of the semiconductor body and gate electrode, in combination with an optional deposited dielectric material that fills the remaining gap between the thermal oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7790524
    Abstract: Device and design structures for memory cells in a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and methods for fabricating such device structures using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. The device structure, which is formed using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, includes a floating gate electrode, a semiconductor body, and a control gate electrode separated from the semiconductor body by the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode, the control gate electrode, and the semiconductor body, which are both formed from the monocrystalline SOI layer of the SOI substrate, are respectively separated by dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may each be composed of thermal oxide layers grown on confronting sidewalls of the semiconductor body, the floating gate electrode, and the control gate electrode. An optional deposited dielectric material may fill any remaining gap between either pair of the thermal oxide layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7786549
    Abstract: A structure and method for providing an antifuse which is closed by laser energy with an electrostatic assist. Two or more metal segments are formed over a semiconductor structure with an air gap or a porous dielectric between the metal segments. Pulsed laser energy is applied to one or more of the metal segments while a voltage potential is applied between the metal segments to create an electrostatic field. The pulsed laser energy softens the metal segment, and the electrostatic field causes the metal segments to move into contact with each other. The electrostatic field reduces the amount of laser energy which must be applied to the semiconductor structure to close the antifuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William T. Motsiff, William R. Tonti, Richard Q. Williams
  • Patent number: 7784009
    Abstract: Electrically programmable fuses for an integrated circuit and design structures thereof are presented, wherein the electrically programmable fuse has a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion interconnected by a fuse element. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion reside over a first support and a second support, respectively, with the first support and the second support being spaced apart, and the fuse element bridging the distance between the first terminal portion over the first support and the second terminal portion over the second support. The fuse, first support and second support define a ?-shaped structure in elevational cross-section through the fuse element. The first terminal portion, second terminal portion and fuse element are coplanar, with the fuse element residing above a void. The design structure for the fuse is embodied in a machine-readable medium for designing, manufacturing or testing a design of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Booth, Jr., Kangguo Cheng, Jack A. Mandelman, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7776680
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device that has at least one high aspect ratio gate structure with a void-free and seam-free metal gate conductor layer positioned on top of a relatively thin high-k gate dielectric layer. These method embodiments incorporate a gate replacement strategy that uses an electroplating process to fill, from the bottom upward, a high-aspect ratio gate stack opening with a metal gate conductor layer. The source of electrons for the electroplating process is a current passed directly through the back side of the substrate. This eliminates the need for a seed layer and ensures that the metal gate conductor layer will be formed without voids or seams. Furthermore, depending upon the embodiment, the electroplating process is performed under illumination to enhance electron flow to a given area (i.e., to enhance plating) or in darkness to prevent electron flow to a given area (i.e., to prevent plating).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, John M. Cotte, Hariklia Deligianni, Toshiharu Furukawa, Vamsi K. Paruchuri, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7763531
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an integrated circuit with multiple semiconductor fins having different widths and variable spacing on the same substrate. The method of forming the circuit incorporates a sidewall image transfer process using different types of mandrels. Fin thickness and fin-to-fin spacing are controlled by an oxidation process used to form oxide sidewalls on the mandrels, and more particularly, by the processing time and the use of intrinsic, oxidation-enhancing and/or oxidation-inhibiting mandrels. Fin thickness is also controlled by using sidewalls spacers combined with or instead of the oxide sidewalls. Specifically, images of the oxide sidewalls alone, images of sidewall spacers alone, and/or combined images of sidewall spacers and oxide sidewalls are transferred into a semiconductor layer to form the fins. The fins with different thicknesses and variable spacing can be used to form a single multiple-fin FETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Jeffrey S. Brown, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthler, Jr., Jed H. Rankin, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7732865
    Abstract: The present invention provides an epitaxial imprinting process for fabricating a hybrid substrate that includes a bottom semiconductor layer; a continuous buried insulating layer present atop said bottom semiconductor layer; and a top semiconductor layer present on said continuous buried insulating layer, wherein said top semiconductor layer includes separate planar semiconductor regions that have different crystal orientations, said separate planar semiconductor regions are isolated from each other. The epitaxial printing process of the present invention utilizing epitaxial growth, wafer bonding and a recrystallization anneal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Carl Radens, William R. Tonti, Richard Q. Williams
  • Patent number: 7709926
    Abstract: Device structure for active devices fabricated in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and design structures for a radiofrequency integrated circuit. The device structure includes a first isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from a top surface of a semiconductor layer to a first depth, a second isolation region in the semiconductor layer that extends from the top surface of the semiconductor layer to a second depth greater than the first depth, and a first doped region in the semiconductor layer. The first doped region is disposed vertically between the first isolation region and an insulating layer disposed between the semiconductor layer and a handle wafer of the SOI substrate. The device structure may be included in a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jed H. Rankin, Robert R. Robison, William R. Tonti
  • Publication number: 20100096536
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of executing an electrical function, such as a fusing operation, by activation through a chip embedded photodiode through spectrally selected external light activation, and corresponding structure and circuit. The present invention is based on having incident light with specific intensity/wave length characteristics, in conjunction with additional circuit elements to an integrated circuit, perform the implementation of repairs, i.e., replacing failing circuit elements with redundant ones for yield and/or reliability. Also to perform disconnection of ESD protection device from input pad one the packaged chip is placed in system. No additional pins on the package are necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, James W. Adkisson, Jeffrey S. Brown, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Michael J. Hauser, Jed H. Rankin, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7700428
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a device structure for use as a memory cell in a non-volatile random access memory. The method includes forming first and second semiconductor bodies on the insulating layer that have a separated, juxtaposed relationship, doping the first semiconductor body to form a source and a drain, and partially removing the second semiconductor body to define a floating gate electrode adjacent to the channel of the first semiconductor body. The method further includes forming a first dielectric layer between the channel of the first semiconductor body and the floating gate electrode, forming a second dielectric layer on a top surface of the floating gate electrode, and forming a control gate electrode on the second dielectric layer that cooperates with the floating gate electrode to control carrier flow in the channel in the first semiconductor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jed H. Rankin, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7687883
    Abstract: An antifuse device (120) that includes a bias element (124) and an programmable antifuse element (128) arranged in series with one another so as to form a voltage divider having an output node (F) located between the bias and antifuse elements. When the antifuse device is in its unprogrammed state, each of the bias element and antifuse element is non-conductive. When the antifuse device is in its programmed state, the bias element remains non-conductive, but the antifuse element is conductive. The difference in the resistance of the antifuse element between its unprogrammed state and programmed state causes the difference in voltages seen at the output node to be on the order of hundreds of mili-volts when a voltage of 1 V is applied across the antifuse device. This voltage difference is so high that it can be readily sensed using a simple sensing circuit (228).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Fifield, Wagdi W. Abadeer, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7674675
    Abstract: The invention provides a fingered decoupling capacitor in the bulk silicon region that are formed by etching a series of minimum or sub-minimum trenches in the bulk silicon region, oxidizing these trenches, removing the oxide from at least one or more disjoint trenches, filling all the trenches with either in-situ doped polysilicon, intrinsic polysilicon that is later doped through ion implantation, or filling with a metal stud, such as tungsten and forming standard interconnects to the capacitor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary E. Berndlmaier, Edward W. Kiewra, Carl J. Radens, William R. Tonti
  • Publication number: 20100038754
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a back-end-of-line (BEOL) resistive structure comprises a second metal line embedded in a second dielectric layer and overlying a first metal line embedded in a first dielectric layer. A doped semiconductor spacer or plug laterally abutting sidewalls of the second metal line and vertically abutting a top surface of the first metal line provides a resistive link between the first and second metal lines. In another embodiment, another BEOL resistive structure comprises a first metal line and a second metal line are embedded in a dielectric layer. A doped semiconductor spacer or plug laterally abutting the sidewalls of the first and second metal lines provides a resistive link between the first and second metal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Jed H. Rankin, Robert Robison, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Publication number: 20100041202
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a second metal line embedded in a second dielectric layer overlies a first metal line embedded in a first dielectric layer. A portion of the second dielectric layer overlying the first metal line is recessed employing a photoresist and the second metal line as an etch mask. A doped semiconductor spacer is formed within the recess to provide a resistive link between the first metal line and the second metal line. In another embodiment, a first metal line and a second metal line are embedded in a dielectric layer. An area of the dielectric layer laterally abutting the first and second metal lines is recessed employing a photoresist and the first and second metal lines as an etch mask. A doped semiconductor spacer is formed on sidewalls of the first and second metal lines, providing a resistive link between the first and second metal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, JR., Jed H. Rankin, Robert Robison, Yun Shi, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7659599
    Abstract: In an aspect, a method is provided for forming a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a silicon substrate; (2) selectively implanting the silicon substrate with oxygen using a low implant energy to form an ultra-thin patterned seed layer; and (3) employing the ultra-thin patterned seed layer to form a patterned SOI layer on the silicon substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Allen Booth, Jr., Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack A. Mandelman, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7659497
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of executing an electrical function, such as a fusing operation, by activation through a chip embedded photodiode through spectrally selected external light activation, and corresponding structure and circuit. The present invention is based on having incident light with specific intensity/wave length characteristics, in conjunction with additional circuit elements to an integrated circuit, perform the implementation of repairs, i.e., replacing failing circuit elements with redundant ones for yield and/or reliability. Also to perform disconnection of ESD protection device from input pad once the packaged chip is placed in system. No additional pins on the package are necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wagdi W. Abadeer, James W. Adkisson, Jeffrey S. Brown, Kiran V. Chatty, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Michael J. Hauser, Jed H. Rankin, William R. Tonti
  • Patent number: 7659168
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus is an eFuse including (1) a semiconducting layer above an insulating oxide layer of a substrate; (2) a diode formed in the semiconducting layer; and (3) a silicide layer formed on the diode. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Jack A. Mandelman, William R. Tonti