Patents by Inventor Kevin James Torek

Kevin James Torek 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: 6200909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to a method of etching inorganic antireflective layers without etching excessive amounts of an underlying oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Torek, Whonchee Lee, Satish Bedge
  • Patent number: 6103637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to a method of etching inorganic antireflective layers without etching excessive amounts of an underlying oxide. According to one aspect of the present invention, the antireflective layer is selectively etched using an etchant which comprises about 35-40 wt. % NH.sub.4 F and about 0.9-5.0 wt. % H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Torek, Whonchee Lee, Satish Bedge
  • Patent number: 5990019
    Abstract: A surface having exposed doped silicon dioxide such as BPSG is cleaned with a vapor phase solution that etches thermal oxide at least one-third as fast as it etches the exposed doped silicon dioxide, resulting in more thorough cleaning with less removal of the exposed doped silicon dioxide. Specific applications to formation of container capacitors are disclosed. Preferred cleaning vapor phase solutions include about 1% water, about 5% hydrogen fluoride, and about 5% ammonias. The vapor phase solution is also useful in cleaning methods in which a refractory metal silicide is exposed to the cleaning vapor phase solution such as in cleaning prior to spacer formation or prior to a gate stack contact fill, in which case about 500 PPMV water, about 2% hydrogen fluoride, and about 2% ammonia is most preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Torek, Whonchee Lee, Richard C. Hawthorne
  • Patent number: 5981401
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to a method of etching inorganic antireflective layers without etching excessive amounts of an underlying oxide. According to one aspect of the present invention, the antireflective layer is selectively etched using an etchant which comprises about 35-40 wt. % NH.sub.4 F and about 0.9-5.0 wt. % H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Torek, Whonchee Lee, Satish Bedge
  • Patent number: 5685951
    Abstract: A surface having exposed doped silicon dioxide such as BPSG is cleaned with a vapor phase solution that etches thermal oxide at least one-third as fast as it etches the exposed doped silicon dioxide, resulting in more thorough cleaning with less removal of the exposed doped silicon dioxide. Specific applications to formation of container capacitors are disclosed. Preferred cleaning vapor phase solutions include about 1% water, about 5% hydrogen fluoride, and about 5% ammonia. The vapor phase solution is also useful in cleaning methods in which a refractory metal silicide is exposed to the cleaning vapor phase solution such as in cleaning prior to spacer formation or prior to a gate stack contact fill, in which case about 500 PPMV water, about 2% hydrogen fluoride, and about 2% ammonia is most preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Torek, Whonchee Lee, Richard C. Hawthorne, deceased