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: 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
  • Publication number: 20140193970
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140183753
    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: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Michael J. Hauser, Zhong-Xiang He, Junjun Li, Xuefeng Liu, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Patent number: 8765595
    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: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee, Xiao H. Liu
  • Publication number: 20140167219
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee, Xiao H. Liu
  • Publication number: 20140151851
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES STUART DUNN, ZHONG-XIANG HE, ANTHONY KENDALL STAMPER
  • Publication number: 20140131893
    Abstract: Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony K. Stamper, Eric J. White
  • Publication number: 20140117420
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fen Chen, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Xin Wang, Yanfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 8710661
    Abstract: Methods for planarizing layers of a material, such as a dielectric, and interconnect structures formed by the planarization methods. The method includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a top surface of multiple conductive features and on a top surface of a substrate between the conductive features. A portion of the first dielectric layer is selectively removed from the top surface of at least one of the conductive features without removing a portion the first dielectric layer that is between the conductive features. A second dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the at least one of the conductive features and on a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a top surface of the second dielectric layer is planarized. A layer operating as an etch stop is located between the top surface of at least one of the conductive features and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony K. Stamper, Eric J. White
  • Patent number: 8709855
    Abstract: A conductive light shield is formed over a first dielectric layer of a via level in a metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield is covers a floating drain of an image sensor pixel cell. A second dielectric layer is formed over the conductive light shield and at least one via extending from a top surface of the second dielectric layer to a bottom surface of the first dielectric layer is formed in the metal interconnect structure. The conductive light shield may be formed within a contact level between a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first metal line level, or may be formed in any metal interconnect via level between two metal line levels. The inventive image sensor pixel cell is less prone to noise due to the blockage of light over the floating drain by the conductive light shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Kevin N. Ogg, Richard J. Rassel, Robert M. Rassel
  • Publication number: 20140097434
    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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: 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: 8674423
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming at least a first trench and a second trench having different depths in a substrate, forming a capacitor in the first trench, and forming a via in the second trench. A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor arranged in a first trench formed in a substrate and a via arranged in a second trench formed in the substrate. The first and second trenches have different depths in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Collins, Kai D. Feng, Zhong-Xiang He, Peter J. Lindgren, Robert M. Rassel
  • Patent number: 8659173
    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: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
  • Patent number: 8649153
    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: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Stuart Dunn, Zhong-Xiang He, Anthony Kendall Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140035169
    Abstract: A structure and method for fabricating the structure that provides a metal wire having a first height at an upper surface. An insulating material surrounding said metal wire is etched to a second height below said first height of said upper surface. The metal wire from said upper surface, after etching said insulating material, is planarized to remove sufficient material from a lateral edge portion of said metal wire such that a height of said lateral edge portion is equivalent to said second height of said insulating material surrounding said metal wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Chrisman, Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Thomas L. McDevitt, Eva A. Shah
  • Patent number: 8645898
    Abstract: Structures with high-Q value inductors, design structure for high-Q value inductors and methods of fabricating such structures is disclosed herein. A method in a computer-aided design system for generating a functional design model of an inductor is also provided. The method includes: generating a functional representation of a plurality of vertical openings simultaneously formed in a substrate, wherein a first of the plurality of vertical openings is used as through silicon vias and is etched deeper than a second of the plurality of vertical openings used for high-Q inductors; generating a functional representation of a dielectric layer formed in the plurality of vertical openings; and generating a functional representation of a metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer in the plurality of vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hanyi Ding, Mete Erturk, Robert A. Groves, Zhong-Xiang He, Peter J. Lindgren, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140021587
    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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David L. Harame, Zhong-Xiang He, Qizhi Liu
  • Publication number: 20140021469
    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: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward C. Cooney, III, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Tom C. Lee
  • Patent number: 8624318
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit includes a plurality of semiconductor devices, each including a semiconductor islands having at least one electrical dopant atom and located on an insulator layer. Each semiconductor island is encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material portion. Conductive material portions, at least one of which abut two dielectric material portions that abut two distinct semiconductor islands, are located directly on the at least one dielectric material layer. At least one gate conductor is provided which overlies at least two semiconductor islands. Conduction across a dielectric material portion between a semiconductor island and a conductive material portion is effected by quantum tunneling. The conductive material portions and the at least one gate conductor are employed to form a semiconductor circuit having a low leakage current. A design structure for the semiconductor circuit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong-Xiang He, Qizhi Liu
  • Publication number: 20140001599
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for forming a thin film resistor and terminal bond pad simultaneously. A method includes simultaneously forming a terminal bond pad on a terminal wire and a thin film resistor on two other wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fen CHEN, Jeffrey P. GAMBINO, Zhong-Xiang HE, Tom C. LEE, John C. MALINOWSKI, Anthony K. STAMPER