Patents by Inventor Hui-Fang Hou

Hui-Fang Hou 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: 9752057
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method for removal of a metal layer deposited over a titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) barrier layer is described herein. The method comprises abrading the metal layer with an acidic CMP composition to expose the underlying TiN or Ti/TiN layer, wherein the TiN or Ti/N layer is polished at a low rate due to the presence of a surfactant inhibitor. The acidic CMP composition comprises a particulate abrasive (e.g., silica, alumina) suspended in a liquid carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, cation surfactants, and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, William Ward, Ming-Chih Yeh, Chih-Pin Tsai
  • Publication number: 20150221521
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method for removal of a metal layer deposited over a titanium nitride (TiN) or titanium/titanium nitride (Ti/TiN) barrier layer is described herein. The method comprises abrading the metal layer with an acidic CMP composition to expose the underlying TiN or Ti/TiN layer, wherein the TiN or Ti/N layer is polished at a low rate due to the presence of a surfactant inhibitor. The acidic CMP composition comprises a particulate abrasive (e.g., silica, alumina) suspended in a liquid carrier containing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, cation surfactants, and a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Hui-Fang HOU, William Ward, Ming-Chih Yeh, Chih-Pin Tsai
  • Patent number: 8557006
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing slurry for polishing a copper layer without excessively or destructively polishing a barrier layer beneath the copper layer is disclosed and includes an acid, a surfactant, and a silica sol having silica polishing particles that are surface modified with a surface charge modifier and that have potassium ions attached thereto. A method for preparing the chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing method using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Epoch Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, Wen-Cheng Liu, Yen-Liang Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Publication number: 20120270401
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing slurry for polishing a copper layer without excessively or destructively polishing a barrier layer beneath the copper layer is disclosed and includes an acid, a surfactant, and a silica sol having silica polishing particles that are surface modified with a surface charge modifier and that have potassium ions attached thereto. A method for preparing the chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing method using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Hui-Fang HOU, Wen Cheng LIU, Yen-Liang CHEN, Jui-Ching CHEN
  • Patent number: 8167684
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing slurry for polishing a copper layer without excessively or destructively polishing a barrier layer beneath the copper layer is disclosed and includes an acid, a surfactant, and a silica sol having silica polishing particles that are surface modified with a surface charge modifier and that have potassium ions attached thereto. A method for preparing the chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing method using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, Wen-Cheng Liu, Yen-Liang Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 7550092
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing composition includes: an abrasive component, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a diacid compound, a metal residue inhibitor, and water. The metal residue inhibitor is selected from the group of compounds having the following formulas: and combinations thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, and C2-C6 alkylidyne; and R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from H and C1-C6 alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Epoch Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, Wen-Cheng Liu, Pao-Cheng Chen, Yen-Liang Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Publication number: 20080096470
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing slurry for polishing a copper layer without excessively or destructively polishing a barrier layer beneath the copper layer is disclosed and includes an acid, a surfactant, and a silica sol having silica polishing particles that are surface modified with a surface charge modifier and that have potassium ions attached thereto. A method for preparing the chemical mechanical polishing slurry and a chemical mechanical polishing method using the chemical mechanical polishing slurry are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: EPOCH MATERIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, Wen-Cheng Liu, Yen-Liang Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Publication number: 20070290165
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing composition includes: an abrasive component, a corrosion inhibitor, a surfactant, a diacid compound, a metal residue inhibitor, and water. The metal residue inhibitor is selected from the group of compounds having the following formulas: and combinations thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, and C2-C6 alkylidyne; and R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are independently selected from H and C1-C6 alkyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: Epoch Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Fang Hou, Wen-Cheng Liu, Pao-Cheng Chen, Yen-Liang Chen, Jui-Ching Chen