Patents by Inventor Masahiro Tabata
Masahiro Tabata 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).
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Patent number: 10672605Abstract: A technique regarding film formation capable of forming a three-dimensional pattern successfully is provided. A film forming method for a processing target object is provided. The processing target object has a supporting base body and a processing target layer. The processing target layer is provided on a main surface of the supporting base body and includes protrusion regions. Each protrusion region is extended upwards from the main surface, and an end surface of each protrusion region is exposed when viewed from above the main surface. The film forming method includes a first process of forming a film on the end surface of each protrusion region; and a second process of selectively exposing one or more end surfaces by anisotropically etching the film formed through the first process.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
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Publication number: 20200144071Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
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Publication number: 20200135480Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of processing a workpiece in which a plurality of holes are formed on a surface of the workpiece. The method includes a first sequence including a first process of forming a film with respect to an inner surface of each of the holes and a second process of isotropically etching the film. The first process includes a film forming process using a plasma CVD method, and the film contains silicon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro TABATA, Toru HISAMATSU, Yoshihide KIHARA
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Publication number: 20200111679Abstract: A method for selectively etching a first region of silicon oxide with respect to a second region of silicon nitride, includes: preparing a target object including the first region and the second region in a processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus; and generating a plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas and a rare gas in the processing chamber. In the generating the plasma of the processing gas, a self-bias potential of a lower electrode on which the target object is mounted is greater than or equal to 4V and smaller than or equal to 350V and a flow rate of the rare gas in the processing gas is 250 to 5000 times of a flow rate of the fluorocarbon gas in the processing gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro TABATA, Takayuki KATSUNUMA, Masanobu HONDA
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Patent number: 10600660Abstract: Generation of a deposit can be suppressed and high selectivity can be acquired when etching a first region made of silicon nitride selectively against a second region made of silicon oxide. A method includes preparing a processing target object having the first region and the second region within a chamber provided in a chamber main body of a plasma processing apparatus; generating plasma of a first gas including a gas containing hydrogen within the chamber to form a modified region by modifying a part of the first region with active species of the hydrogen; and generating plasma of a second gas including a gas containing fluorine within the chamber to remove the modified region with active species of the fluorine.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
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Publication number: 20200058512Abstract: A selectivity can be improved in a desirable manner when etching a processing target object containing silicon carbide. An etching method of processing the processing target object, having a first region containing silicon carbide and a second region containing silicon nitride and in contact with the first region, includes etching the first region to remove the first region atomic layer by atomic layer by repeating a sequence comprising: generating plasma from a first gas containing nitrogen to form a mixed layer containing ions contained in the plasma generated from the first gas in an atomic layer of an exposed surface of the first region; and generating plasma from a second gas containing fluorine to remove the mixed layer by radicals contained in the plasma generated from the second gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
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Patent number: 10559472Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of processing a workpiece in which a plurality of holes are formed on a surface of the workpiece. The method includes a first sequence including a first process of forming a film with respect to an inner surface of each of the holes and a second process of isotropically etching the film. The first process includes a film forming process using a plasma CVD method, and the film contains silicon.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro Tabata, Toru Hisamatsu, Yoshihide Kihara
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Patent number: 10553446Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
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Publication number: 20200035501Abstract: A plasma processing method executed by a plasma processing apparatus includes steps of an opening formation, a first film formation, a second film formation, and an etching. In the opening formation, the plasma processing apparatus performs etching on a substrate including a base layer and a first layer formed on the base layer so as to form an opening in the first layer. When determined that the opening satisfies a predetermined condition, in the first film formation, the plasma processing apparatus forms an inhibitor on a bottom surface of the opening so as to form a first film to which a predetermined gas species is not adsorbed. After the formation of the first film, the plasma processing apparatus forms a second film on the side wall of the opening in the second film formation. The plasma processing apparatus also performs etching in the opening in the etching.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro TABATA, Sho KUMAKURA
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Publication number: 20200035503Abstract: A plasma processing method executed by a plasma processing apparatus includes a first step, a second step, and an etching step. In the first step, the plasma processing apparatus forms a first film on a processing target in which a plurality of openings having a predetermined pattern are formed. In the second step, the plasma processing apparatus forms a second film having an etching rate lower than that of the first film on the processing target on which the first film is formed, and having different film thicknesses on the side surfaces of the openings according to the sizes of the openings. In the etching step, the plasma processing apparatus performs etching from above the second film under a predetermined processing condition until a portion of the first film is removed from at least a portion of the processing target.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Masahiro TABATA
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Patent number: 10541147Abstract: A method for selectively etching a first region of silicon oxide with respect to a second region of silicon nitride, includes: preparing a target object including the first region and the second region in a processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus; and generating a plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas and a rare gas in the processing chamber. In the generating the plasma of the processing gas, a self-bias potential of a lower electrode on which the target object is mounted is greater than or equal to 4V and smaller than or equal to 350V and a flow rate of the rare gas in the processing gas is 250 to 5000 times of a flow rate of the fluorocarbon gas in the processing gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro Tabata, Takayuki Katsunuma, Masanobu Honda
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Publication number: 20190393031Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: providing a substrate in a processing container; selectively forming a first film on a surface of a substrate by plasma enhanced vapor deposition (PECVD); and forming a second film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a region of the substrate where the first film does not exist. The second film is formed by repeatedly performing a sequence including: forming a precursor layer on the surface of the substrate; purging an interior of the processing container after forming of the precursor; converting the precursor layer into the second film; and purging a space in the processing container after the converting. A plasma processing apparatus performing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro TABATA, Toru HISAMATSU
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Publication number: 20190382897Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a processing apparatus and a controller. The processing apparatus includes a chamber. The controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The memory stores computer-executable instructions for controlling the processor to control a process of the processing apparatus. The process includes first forming a first film in a first region of the substrate in the chamber by chemical vapor deposition. The process further includes second forming a second film in a second region of the substrate in the chamber by atomic layer deposition. The first forming and the second forming are performed without moving the substrate out of the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2018Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Masahiro TABATA
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Publication number: 20190378730Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: selectively forming a first film on a surface of a substrate disposed in a processing container by plasma enhanced vapor deposition (PECVD); and forming a second film by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a region of the substrate where the first film does not exist. The second film is formed by repeatedly performing a sequence including: forming a precursor layer on the surface of the substrate; purging an interior of the processing container after forming of the precursor; converting the precursor layer into the second film; and purging a space in the processing container after the converting. A plasma processing apparatus performing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro TABATA, Toru HISAMATSU
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Patent number: 10504741Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing method includes a first process of etching an insulating film over a conductive layer of an object into a pattern of a mask, and exposing the conductive layer to a recessed portion formed in the insulating film, and a second process of forming an organic film in the recessed portion of the insulating film to which the conductive layer is exposed, the second process including, maintaining a chamber at a predetermined pressure, cooling a stage to ?20° C. or less, and placing the object on the stage, supplying a gas including a gas containing a low vapor pressure material to the chamber, and generating plasma from the gas including the gas containing the low vapor pressure material, and causing precursors generated from the low vapor pressure material and included in the plasma to be deposited in the recessed portion such that the organic film is formed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Michiko Nakaya, Masanobu Honda, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
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Patent number: 10483118Abstract: A selectivity can be improved in a desirable manner when etching a processing target object containing silicon carbide. An etching method of processing the processing target object, having a first region containing silicon carbide and a second region containing silicon nitride and in contact with the first region, includes etching the first region to remove the first region atomic layer by atomic layer by repeating a sequence comprising: generating plasma from a first gas containing nitrogen to form a mixed layer containing ions contained in the plasma generated from the first gas in an atomic layer of an exposed surface of the first region; and generating plasma from a second gas containing fluorine to remove the mixed layer by radicals contained in the plasma generated from the second gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
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Patent number: 10475659Abstract: A method of processing a target object is provided. In the method, the target object including a first protrusion portion, a second protrusion portion, an etching target layer and a groove portion, the etching target layer having a region belonging to the first protrusion portion and a region belonging to the second protrusion portion, the groove portion being provided on a main surface of the target object, being provided on the etching target layer and being defined by the first protrusion portion and the second protrusion portion, and an inner surface of the groove portion being included in the main surface of the target object is prepared, and a first sequence is repeatedly performed N times (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2). The first sequence includes (a) forming a protection film conformally on the main surface; and (b) etching a bottom portion of the groove portion with plasma of a gas generated after the process a is performed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro Tabata, Yoshihide Kihara
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Publication number: 20190326106Abstract: There is provided a method for etching an organic region of a substrate. In the method, an organic film is formed on a surface in a chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. The surface extends out around a region where the substrate is to be disposed in the chamber of the plasma processing apparatus, and the organic region is etched by chemical species from plasma in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Ryuichi ASAKO, Masahiro TABATA, Takao FUNAKUBO
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Publication number: 20190326125Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
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Publication number: 20190326104Abstract: A plasma processing method is performed in a state where a focus ring is disposed on a supporting table to surround an edge of a substrate by a plasma processing apparatus. The plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber and the supporting table provided in the chamber and configured to support the substrate mounted thereon. The plasma processing method includes forming an organic film on the focus ring to reduce a difference between a position of an upper surface of the focus ring in a vertical direction and a reference position, and performing plasma processing on the substrate after the formation of the organic film.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Ryuichi ASAKO, Masahiro TABATA, Takao FUNAKUBO