Patents by Inventor Xuefeng Liu

Xuefeng Liu 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: 8468471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for process aware metrology are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corp.
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Yung-Ho Alex Chuang, John Fielden, Bin-Ming Benjamin Tsai, Jingjing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8421183
    Abstract: A structure includes a substrate comprising a region having a circuit or device which is sensitive to electrical noise. Additionally, the structure includes a first isolation structure extending through an entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region and a second isolation structure extending through the entire thickness of the substrate and surrounding the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu
  • Publication number: 20130080984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for process aware metrology are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Yung-Ho Alex Chuang, John Fielden, Bin-Ming Benjamin Tsai, Jingjing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8399927
    Abstract: A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Zhenrong Jin, Xuefeng Liu, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20120326798
    Abstract: A transmission wiring structure, associated design structure and associated method for forming the same. A structure is disclosed having: a plurality of wiring levels formed on a semiconductor substrate; a pair of adjacent first and second signal lines located in the wiring levels, wherein the first signal line comprises a first portion formed on a first wiring level and a second portion formed on a second wiring level; a primary dielectric structure having a first dielectric constant located between the first portion and a ground shield; and a secondary dielectric structure having a second dielectric constant different than the first dielectric constant, the secondary dielectric structure located between the second portion and the ground shield, and the second dielectric layer extending co-planar with the second portion and having a length that is substantially the same as the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 8338920
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an integrated circuit with one or more on-chip inductors. A package cover covers the integrated circuit. A magnetic material is provided between the integrated circuit and the package cover. The magnetic material may be a soft magnetic thin film. The magnetic material may be affixed to the package cover by an adhesive. The magnetic material may be formed directly on the package cover by one of deposition, sputtering or spraying. The magnetic material may be affixed to the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Cotte, Hanyi Ding, Kai Di Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Nils D. Hoivik, Xuefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 8338265
    Abstract: A trench contact silicide is formed on an inner wall of a contact trench that reaches to a buried conductive layer in a semiconductor substrate to reduce parasitic resistance of a reachthrough structure. The trench contact silicide is formed at the bottom, on the sidewalls of the trench, and on a portion of the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench is subsequently filled with a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric. A contact via may be formed on the trench contact silicide. The trench contact silicide may be formed through a single silicidation reaction with a metal layer or through multiple silicidation reactions with multiple metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. Coolbaugh, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Peter J. Lindgren, Xuefeng Liu, James S. Nakos, Bradley A. Orner, Robert M. Rassel, David C. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20120323356
    Abstract: Optimization of optical parametric models for structural analysis using optical critical dimension metrology is described. A method includes determining a first optical model fit for a parameter of a structure. The first optical model fit is based on a domain of quantities for a first model of the structure. A first near optical field response is determined for a first quantity of the domain of quantities and a second near optical field response is determined for a second, different quantity of the domain of quantities. The first and second near optical field responses are compared to locate a common region of high optical field intensity for the parameter of the structure. The first model of the structure is modified to provide a second, different model of the structure. A second, different optical model fit is determined for the parameter of the structure based on the second model of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Thaddeus G. Dziura, Yung-Ho Chuang, Bin-Ming Benjamin Tsai, Xuefeng Liu, John J. Hench
  • Publication number: 20120266116
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip integrating a transceiver, an antenna, and a receiver is provided. The transceiver is located on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via provides electrical connection between the transceiver and the receiver located on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The antenna connected to the transceiver is located in a dielectric layer located on the front side of the substrate. The separation between the reflector plate and the antenna is about the quarter wavelength of millimeter waves, which enhances radiation efficiency of the antenna. An array of through substrate dielectric vias may be employed to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the material between the antenna and the reflector plate, thereby reducing the wavelength of the millimeter wave and enhance the radiation efficiency. A design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design for such a semiconductor chip is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Zhenrong Jin, Xuefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 8288244
    Abstract: A method for forming a lateral passive device including a dual annular electrode is disclosed. The annular electrodes formed from the method include an anode and a cathode. The annular electrodes allow anode and cathode series resistances to be optimized to the lowest values at a fixed device area. In addition, the parasitic capacitance to a bottom plate (substrate) is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Collins, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Xuefeng Liu, Bradley A. Orner, Robert M. Rassel, David C. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8279572
    Abstract: A design structure for an on-chip high frequency electro-static discharge device is described. In one embodiment, the electro-static discharge structure comprises a first dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein. A second dielectric layer with more than one electrode formed therein is located above the first dielectric layer. At least one via connects the more than one electrode in the first dielectric layer with the more than one electrode in the second dielectric layer. A gap is formed through the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein the gap extends between two adjacent electrodes in both the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer. A third dielectric layer is disposed over the second dielectric layer, wherein the third dielectric layer hermetically seals the gap to provide electro-static discharge protection on the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8232920
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip integrating a transceiver, an antenna, and a receiver is provided. The transceiver is located on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A through substrate via provides electrical connection between the transceiver and the receiver located on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. The antenna connected to the transceiver is located in a dielectric layer located on the front side of the substrate. The separation between the reflector plate and the antenna is about the quarter wavelength of millimeter waves, which enhances radiation efficiency of the antenna. An array of through substrate dielectric vias may be employed to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the material between the antenna and the reflector plate, thereby reducing the wavelength of the millimeter wave and enhance the radiation efficiency. A design structure for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design for such a semiconductor chip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Zhenrong Jin, Xuefeng Liu
  • Publication number: 20120168820
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a junction field effect transistor (JFET) structure with one or more P-type silicon germanium (SiGe) or silicon germanium carbide (SiGeC) gates (i.e., a SiGe or SiGeC based heterojunction JFET). The P-type SiGe or SiGeC gate(s) allow for a lower pinch off voltage (i.e., lower Voff) without increasing the on resistance (Ron). Specifically, SiGe or SiGeC material in a P-type gate limits P-type dopant out diffusion and, thereby ensures that the P-type gate-to-N-type channel region junction is more clearly defined (i.e., abrupt as opposed to graded). By clearly defining this junction, the depletion layer in the N-type channel region is extended. Extending the depletion layer in turn allows for a faster pinch off (i.e., requires lower Voff). P-type SiGe or SiGeC gate(s) can be incorporated into conventional lateral JFET structures and/or vertical JFET structures. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method of forming such a JFET structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Xiaowei Tian
  • Publication number: 20120132992
    Abstract: A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Zhenrong Jin, Xuefeng Liu, Yun Shi
  • Publication number: 20120126319
    Abstract: A disposable structure displaced from an edge of a gate electrode and a drain region aligned to the disposable structure is formed. Thus, the drain region is self-aligned to the edge of the gate electrode. The disposable structure may be a disposable spacer, or alternately, the disposable structure may be formed simultaneously with, and comprise the same material as, a gate electrode. After formation of the drain regions, the disposable structure is removed. The self-alignment of the drain region to the edge of the gate electrode provides a substantially constant drift distance that is independent of any overlay variation of lithographic processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Natalie B. Feilchenfeld, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Xuefeng Liu, Benjamin T. Voegeli, Steven H. Voldman, Michael J. Zierak
  • Publication number: 20120074469
    Abstract: A junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip is provided comprising a source region, a drain region, a lower gate, and a channel, with an insulating shallow trench isolation (STI) region extending from an inner edge of an upper surface of the source region to an inner edge of an upper surface of the drain region, without an intentionally doped region, e.g., an upper gate, coplanar with an upper surface of the IC chip between the source/drain regions. In addition, an asymmetrical quasi-buried upper gate can be included, disposed under a portion of the STI region, but not extending under a portion of the STI region proximate to the drain region. Embodiments of this invention also include providing an implantation layer, under the source region, to reduce Ron. A related method and design structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Xiaowei Tian
  • Patent number: 8138579
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming semiconductor structures, and more particularly to structures and methods of forming SiGe and/or SiGeC buried layers for SOI/SiGe devices. An integrated structure includes discontinuous, buried layers having alternating Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions. The structure further includes isolation structures at an interface between the Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions to reduce defects between the alternating regions. Devices are associated with the Si and SiGe or SiGeC regions. The invention is also directed to a design structure on which a circuit resides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xuefeng Liu, Robert M. Rassel, Steven H. Voldman
  • Patent number: 8120110
    Abstract: A first field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode located over a first portion of a top semiconductor layer in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. A second field effect transistor includes a portion of a buried insulator layer and a source region and a drain region located underneath the buried insulator layer. In one embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is a remaining portion of the top semiconductor layer. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor is formed concurrently with the gate electrode of the first field effect transistor by deposition and patterning of a gate electrode layer. The first field effect transistor may be a high performance device and the second field effect transistor may be a high voltage device. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Zhenrong Jin, Xuefeng Liu, Yun Shi
  • Patent number: 8114750
    Abstract: A disposable structure displaced from an edge of a gate electrode and a drain region aligned to the disposable structure is formed. Thus, the drain region is self-aligned to the edge of the gate electrode. The disposable structure may be a disposable spacer, or alternately, the disposable structure may be formed simultaneously with, and comprise the same material as, a gate electrode. After formation of the drain regions, the disposable structure is removed. The self-alignment of the drain region to the edge of the gate electrode provides a substantially constant drift distance that is independent of any overlay variation of lithographic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Natalie B. Feilchenfeld, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Xuefeng Liu, Benjamin T. Voegeli, Steven H. Voldman, Michael J. Zierak
  • Publication number: 20110279819
    Abstract: Illumination subsystems of a metrology system, metrology systems, and methods for illuminating a specimen for metrology measurements are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yung-Ho (Alex) Chuang, Vladimir Levinski, Xuefeng Liu