Patents by Inventor Zhong Xiang

Zhong Xiang 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: 20150021793
    Abstract: Wire-bonded semiconductor structures using organic insulating material and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a metal wiring layer in an organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a protective layer over the organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a via in the organic insulator layer over the metal wiring layer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer in the via and on the protective layer. The method further includes patterning the metal layer with an etch chemistry that is damaging to the organic insulator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy H. DAUBENSPECK, Jeffrey P. GAMBINO, Zhong-Xiang HE, Christopher D. MUZZY, Wolfgang SAUTER, Timothy D. SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 8927869
    Abstract: Wire-bonded semiconductor structures using organic insulating material and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a metal wiring layer in an organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a protective layer over the organic insulator layer. The method further includes forming a via in the organic insulator layer over the metal wiring layer. The method further includes depositing a metal layer in the via and on the protective layer. The method further includes patterning the metal layer with an etch chemistry that is damaging to the organic insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Christopher D. Muzzy, Wolfgang Sauter, Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8900964
    Abstract: Back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structures and inductors, methods for fabricating BEOL wiring structures and inductors, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure or an inductor. A feature, which may be a trench or a wire, is formed that includes a sidewall intersecting a top surface of a dielectric layer. A surface layer is formed on the sidewall of the feature. The surface layer is comprised of a conductor and has a thickness selected to provide a low resistance path for the conduction of a high frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Alvin J. Joseph, Anthony K. Stamper, Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8901710
    Abstract: Disclosed are an interdigitated capacitor and an interdigitated vertical native capacitor, each having a relatively low (e.g., zero) net coefficient of capacitance with respect to a specific parameter. For example, the capacitors can have a zero net linear temperature coefficient of capacitance (Tcc) to limit capacitance variation as a function of temperature or a zero net quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance (Vcc2) to limit capacitance variation as a function of voltage. In any case, each capacitor can incorporate at least two different plate dielectrics having opposite polarity coefficients of capacitance with respect to the specific parameter due to the types of dielectric materials used and their respective thicknesses. As a result, the different dielectric plates will have opposite effects on the capacitance of the capacitor that cancel each other out such that the capacitor has a zero net coefficient of capacitance with respect to specific parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick G. Anderson, Natalie B Feilchenfeld, Zhong-Xiang He, Theodore J. Letavic, Yves T. Ngu
  • Publication number: 20140339607
    Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication is described, wherein a MOS device and a MEMS device is fabricated simultaneously in the BEOL process. A silicon layer is deposited and etched to form a silicon film for a MOS device and a lower silicon sacrificial film for a MEMS device. A conductive layer is deposited atop the silicon layer and etched to form a metal gate and a first upper electrode. A dielectric layer is deposited atop the conductive layer and vias are formed in the dielectric layer. Another conductive layer is deposited atop the dielectric layer and etched to form a second upper electrode and three metal electrodes for the MOS device. Another silicon layer is deposited atop the other conductive layer and etched to form an upper silicon sacrificial film for the MEMS device. The upper and lower silicon sacrificial films are then removed via venting holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Michael J. Hauser, Zhong-Xiang He, Junjun Li, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8865497
    Abstract: A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a lower wiring layer on a substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of discrete wires from the lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming an electrode beam over the plurality of discrete wires. The at least one of the forming of the electrode beam and the plurality of discrete wires are formed with a layout which minimizes hillocks and triple points in subsequent silicon deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Dunbar, III, Zhong-Xiang He, Jeffrey C. Maling, William J. Murphy, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8857022
    Abstract: A low capacitance density, high voltage MIM capacitor and the high density MIM capacitor and a method of manufacture are provided. The method includes depositing a plurality of plates and a plurality of dielectric layers interleaved with one another. The method further includes etching a portion of an uppermost plate of the plurality of plates while protecting other portions of the uppermost plate. The protected other portions of the uppermost plate forms a top plate of a first metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and the etching exposes a top plate of a second MIM capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dunn, Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8860191
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu
  • Publication number: 20140291802
    Abstract: Disclosed are semiconductor structures with metal lines and methods of manufacture which reduce or eliminate extrusion formation. The method includes forming a metal wiring comprising a layered structure of metal materials with an upper constraining layer. The method further includes forming a film on the metal wiring which prevents metal extrusion during an annealing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn A. Adderly, Daniel A. Delibac, Zhong-Xiang He, Matthew D. Moon, Anthony C. Speranza, Timothy D. Sullivan, David C. Thomas, Eric J. White
  • Patent number: 8847401
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor structure incorporating a contact sidewall spacer with a self-aligned airgap and a method of forming the semiconductor structure. The structure comprises a semiconductor device (e.g., a two-terminal device, such as a PN junction diode or Schottky diode, or a three-terminal device, such as a field effect transistor (FET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), etc.) and a dielectric layer that covers the semiconductor device. A contact extends vertically through the dielectric layer to a terminal of the semiconductor device (e.g., in the case of a FET, to a source/drain region of the FET). A contact sidewall spacer is positioned on the contact sidewall and incorporates an airgap. Since air has a lower dielectric constant than other typically used dielectric spacer or interlayer dielectric materials, the contact size can be increased for reduced parasitic resistance while minimizing corresponding increases in parasitic capacitance or the probability of shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fen Chen, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Xin Wang, Yanfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 8842412
    Abstract: A chip capacitor and interconnecting wiring is described incorporating a metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor, tapered vias and vias coupled to one or both of the top and bottom electrodes of the capacitor in an integrated circuit. A design structure tangibly embodied in a machine readable medium is described incorporating computer readable code defining a MIM capacitor, tapered vias, vias and wiring levels in an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Dunn, Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8841750
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide for a bipolar transistor of a self-aligned emitter. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming local wiring for a bipolar transistor with a self-aligned sacrificial emitter, including: performing an etch to remove the sacrificial emitter to form an emitter opening between two nitride spacers; depositing an in-situ doped emitter into the emitter opening; performing a recess etch to partially remove a portion of the in-situ doped emitter; depositing a silicon dioxide layer over the recessed in-situ doped emitter; planarizing the silicon dioxide layer via chemical mechanical polishing; etching an emitter trench over the recessed in-situ doped emitter; and depositing tungsten and forming a tungsten wiring within the emitter trench via chemical mechanical polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Harame, Zhong-Xiang He, Qizhi Liu
  • Publication number: 20140264741
    Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor using barrier layer metallurgy and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming a bottom plate of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor and a bonding pad using a single masking process. The method further includes forming a MIM dielectric on the bottom plate. The method further includes forming a top plate of the MIM capacitor on the MIM dielectric. The method further includes forming a solder connection on the bonding pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Christopher D. Muzzy, Wolfgang Sauter
  • Patent number: 8822993
    Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes: a substrate; a first metal layer disposed on the substrate and including a sensor structure configured to indicate a crack in a portion of the integrated circuit; and a second metal layer disposed proximate the first metal layer, the second metal layer including a wire component disposed proximate the sensor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140239448
    Abstract: Disclosed are an interdigitated capacitor and an interdigitated vertical native capacitor, each having a relatively low (e.g., zero) net coefficient of capacitance with respect to a specific parameter. For example, the capacitors can have a zero net linear temperature coefficient of capacitance (Tcc) to limit capacitance variation as a function of temperature or a zero net quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance (Vcc2) to limit capacitance variation as a function of voltage. In any case, each capacitor can incorporate at least two different plate dielectrics having opposite polarity coefficients of capacitance with respect to the specific parameter due to the types of dielectric materials used and their respective thicknesses. As a result, the different dielectric plates will have opposite effects on the capacitance of the capacitor that cancel each other out such that the capacitor has a zero net coefficient of capacitance with respect to specific parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick G. Anderson, Natalie B. Feilchenfeld, Zhong-Xiang He, Theodore J. Letavic, Yves T. Ngu
  • Patent number: 8815733
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) including a set of isolated wire structures disposed within a layer of the IC, methods of manufacturing the same and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming adjacent wiring structures on a same level, with a space therebetween. The method further includes forming a capping layer over the adjacent wiring structures on the same level, including on a surface of a material between the adjacent wiring structures. The method further includes forming a photosensitive material over the capping layer. The method further includes forming an opening in the photosensitive material between the adjacent wiring structures to expose the capping layer. The method further includes removing the exposed capping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
  • Patent number: 8809155
    Abstract: Device structures, design structures, and fabrication methods for a varactor. The device structure includes a first electrode formed on a dielectric layer, and a semiconductor body formed on the first electrode. The semiconductor body is comprised of a silicon-containing semiconductor material in an amorphous state or a polycrystalline state. The device structure further includes an electrode insulator formed on the semiconductor body and a second electrode formed on the electrode insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Michael J. Hauser, Zhong-Xiang He, Xuefeng Liu, Richard A. Phelps, Robert M. Rassel, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8803284
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure, BEOL wiring structures, and design structures for a BEOL wiring structure. The BEOL wiring may be fabricated by forming a first wire in a dielectric layer and annealing the first wire in an oxygen-free atmosphere. After the first wire is annealed, a second wire is formed in vertical alignment with the first wire. A final passivation layer, which is comprised of an organic material such as polyimide, is formed that covers an entirety of a sidewall of the second wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee, Xiao H. Liu
  • Patent number: 8791545
    Abstract: Interconnect structures that include a passive element, such as a thin film resistor or a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, methods for fabricating an interconnect structure that includes a passive element, and design structures embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, such as a radiofrequency integrated circuit. A top surface of a dielectric layer is recessed relative to a top surface of a conductive feature in the dielectric layer. The passive element is formed on the recessed top surface of the dielectric layer and includes a layer of a conductive material that is coplanar with, or below, the top surface of the conductive feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dalton, Ebenezer E. Eshun, Sarah L. Grunow, Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140201103
    Abstract: A system for research and development information assisting in investment, and a method, a computer program, and a readable and recordable media for computer thereof are disclosed. The system comprises a processing unit, a database module, an investment analysis subsystem, and an output unit, and provides a method, a computer program or a readable and recordable media for computer. The investment analysis subsystem compares an academic document with a patent document to generate a technical relevancy, providing the user to determine whether a patent document of the target enterprise is forward-looking or whether too many popular patents are owned. Therefore, users can choose to enter the market earlier when the stock price of the enterprise is underestimated or exit earlier before the invested enterprise reduces the turnover and the enterprise value due to a vicious competition and a price reduction strategy of competitors, thereby ensuring investors' profits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yi-Ching LIN, Gen-Ming GUO, Zhong-Xiang XIAO