Patents by Inventor Samantha SiamHwa Tan

Samantha SiamHwa Tan 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: 20240112896
    Abstract: A method for cleaning surfaces of a substrate processing chamber includes a) supplying a first gas selected from a group consisting of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a hydrocarbon (CxHy where x and y are integers) and molecular chlorine (Cl2), boron trichloride (BCl3), and thionyl chloride (SOCl2); b) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; c) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber; d) supplying a second gas including fluorine species; e) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; and f) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jengyi Yu, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Seongjun Heo, Ge Yuan, Siva Krishnan Kanakasabapathy
  • Patent number: 11935758
    Abstract: A method for atomic layer etching a metal containing layer is provided. At least a region of a surface of the metal containing layer is modified to form a modified metal containing region by exposing a surface of the metal containing layer to a modification gas, wherein adjacent to the modified metal containing region remains an unmodified metal containing region. The modified metal containing region is selectively removed with respect to the unmodified metal containing region by exposing the surface of the metal containing layer to an inert bombardment plasma generated from an inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Wenbing Yang, Mohand Brouri, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Shih-Ked Lee, Yiwen Fan, Wook Choi, Tamal Mukherjee, Ran Lin, Yang Pan
  • Publication number: 20240036474
    Abstract: Various techniques for controlling metal-containing contamination on a semiconductor substrate are provided herein. Such techniques may involve one or more of a post-development bake treatment, a chemical treatment, a plasma treatment, a light treatment, and a backside and bevel edge clean. The techniques may be combined as desired for a particular application. In many cases, the techniques are used to address metal-containing contamination that is generated during a photoresist development operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel PETER, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Jengyi Yu, Da Li, Meng Xue, Wook Choi, Ji Yeon Kim, Alan J. Jensen, Shahd Hassan Labib, Younghee Lee, Hongxiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20240021435
    Abstract: A method for etching a metal containing material is provided. The metal containing material is exposed to a halogen containing fluid or plasma to convert at least some of the metal containing material into a metal halide material. The metal halide material is exposed to a ligand containing fluid or plasma, wherein at least some of the metal halide material is formed into a metal halide ligand complex. At least some of the metal halide ligand complex is vaporized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Yiwen FAN, Wenbing YANG, Ran LIN, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Timothy William WEIDMAN, Tamal MUKHERJEE
  • Patent number: 11842888
    Abstract: A method for cleaning surfaces of a substrate processing chamber includes a) supplying a first gas selected from a group consisting of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a hydrocarbon (CxHy where x and y are integers) and molecular chlorine (Cl2), boron trichloride (BCl3), and thionyl chloride (SOCl2); b) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; c) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber; d) supplying a second gas including fluorine species; e) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; and f) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jengyi Yu, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Seongjun Heo, Ge Yuan, Siva Krishnan Kanakasabapathy
  • Publication number: 20230314954
    Abstract: Dry backside and bevel edge clean is performed without exposure to plasma to remove unwanted photoresist material from a substrate. The substrate is supported on a substrate support and elevated by minimum contact area (MCA) supports so that etch gas can access a backside of the substrate. A gas distributor delivers curtain gas to a frontside of the substrate to protect photoresist material on the frontside. An etch gas delivery source delivers a first etch gas flow to the backside, and one or more peripheral gas inlets deliver a second etch gas flow to a periphery of the frontside and around the bevel edge. A radiative heat source is positioned below the substrate to heat the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel PETER, Jengyi YU, Samantha Siamhwa TAN, Meng XUE, Da LI, Keith Edward DAWSON, Clint Edward THOMAS, John Danny Baterina PACHO
  • Publication number: 20230298869
    Abstract: A method for atomic layer etching copper or copper alloy over a substrate in a plasma processing chamber comprising a plurality of cycles is provided. Each cycle of the plurality of cycles comprises a copper modification phase and an activation phase. The copper modification phase comprises flowing a modification gas into the plasma processing chamber, transforming the modification gas into a modification plasma, and exposing the copper or copper alloy to the modification plasma, wherein at least a part of the copper or copper alloy is modified. The activation phase comprises flowing an activation gas into the plasma processing chamber, wherein the activation gas, comprises a hydrogen containing gas, transforming the activation gas into an activation plasma, and exposing the modified copper or copper alloy to the activation plasma, wherein at least a volatile copper or copper alloy complex is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Wenbing YANG, Ran LIN, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Mohand BROURI, Yang PAN
  • Publication number: 20230230819
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a plasma processing chamber comprising one or more cycles is provided. Each cycle comprises performing an oxygen containing plasma cleaning phase, performing a volatile chemistry type residue cleaning phase, and performing a fluorine containing plasma cleaning phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ran LIN, Wenbing YANG, Tamal MUKHERJEE, Jengyi YU, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Yang PAN, Yiwen FAN
  • Publication number: 20230187234
    Abstract: A method for etching features in a stack below a patterned mask in an etch chamber is provided. The stack is cooled with a coolant with a coolant temperature below ?20° C. An etch gas is flowed into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas. Features are selectively etched into the stack with respect to the patterned mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Keren J. KANARIK, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Yang PAN, Jeffrey MARKS
  • Patent number: 11670516
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for etching a feature in a substrate. Typically the feature is etched in a dielectric-containing stack. The etching process involves cyclically etching the feature and depositing a protective film on sidewalls of the partially etched feature. These stages are repeated until the feature reaches its final depth. The protective film may have a particular composition, for example including at least one of a tungsten carbonitride, a tungsten sulfide, tin, a tin-containing compound, molybdenum, a molybdenum-containing compound, a ruthenium carbonitride, a ruthenium sulfide, an aluminum carbonitride, an aluminum sulfide, zirconium, and a zirconium-containing compound. A number of optional steps may be taken including, for example, doping the mask layer, pre-treating the substrate prior to deposition, removing the protective film from the sidewalls, and oxidizing any remaining protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Karthik S. Colinjivadi, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Shih-Ked Lee, George Matamis, Yongsik Yu, Yang Pan, Patrick Van Cleemput, Akhil Singhal, Juwen Gao, Raashina Humayun
  • Publication number: 20230148265
    Abstract: A method for cleaning surfaces of a substrate processing chamber includes a) supplying a first gas selected from a group consisting of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a hydrocarbon (CxHy where x and y are integers) and molecular chlorine (Cl2), boron trichloride (BCl3), and thionyl chloride (SOCl2); b) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; c) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber; d) supplying a second gas including fluorine species; e) striking plasma in the substrate processing chamber to etch the surfaces of the substrate processing chamber; and f) extinguishing the plasma and evacuating the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Jengyi YU, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Seongjun HEO, Ge YUAN, Siva Krishnan KANAKASABAPATHY
  • Publication number: 20230118701
    Abstract: A method for selectively etching at least one feature in a silicon oxide region with respect to a lower oxygen containing region is provided. An etch gas comprising a metalloid or metal containing precursor and a halogen containing component is provided. The etch gas is formed into a plasma. At least one feature in the silicon oxide region is selectively etched with respect to the lower oxygen containing region, while simultaneously forming a metalloid or metal containing hardmask over the lower oxygen containing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Daniel PETER, Arunima Deya BALAN, Younghee LEE, Yang PAN
  • Patent number: 11594429
    Abstract: A method for etching features in a stack below a patterned mask in an etch chamber is provided. The stack is cooled with a coolant with a coolant temperature below ?20° C. An etch gas is flowed into the etch chamber. A plasma is generated from the etch gas. Features are selectively etched into the stack with respect to the patterned mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Keren J. Kanarik, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Yang Pan, Jeffrey Marks
  • Publication number: 20230047486
    Abstract: A method for forming etched features in a layer of a first material is provided. A layer of a second material is deposited over the layer of the first material. An alloy layer of the first material and the second material is formed between the layer of the first material and the layer of the second material. The layer of the first material is selectively etched with respect to the alloy layer, using the alloy layer as a hardmask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Younghee LEE, Daniel PETER, Samantha SiamHwa TAN
  • Patent number: 11521860
    Abstract: A method for selectively etching layers of a first material with respect to layers of a second material in a stack is provided. The layers of the first material are partially etched with respect to the layers of the second material. A deposition layer is selectively deposited on the stack, wherein portions of the deposition layer covering the layers of the second material are thicker than portions covering the layers of the first material, the selective depositing comprising providing a first reactant, purging some of the first reactant, wherein some undeposited first reactant is not purged, and providing a second reactant, wherein the undeposited first reactant combines with the second reactant and selectively deposits on the layers of the second material with respect to the layers of the first material. The layers of the first material are selectively etched with respect to the layers of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Xue, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Mohand Brouri, Yuanhui Li, Daniel Peter, Alexander Kabansky
  • Publication number: 20220376174
    Abstract: A method is provided. A substrate situated in a chamber is exposed to a halogen-containing gas comprising an element selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, carbon, titanium, and tin, and igniting a plasma to modify a surface of the substrate and form a modified surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Wenbing YANG, Tamal MUKHERJEE, Zhongwei ZHU, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Ran LIN, Yang PAN, Ziad EL OTELL, Yiwen FAN
  • Publication number: 20220344136
    Abstract: A metal-containing photoresist film may be deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a dry deposition technique. Unintended metal-containing photoresist material may form on internal surfaces of a process chamber during deposition, bevel and backside cleaning, baking, development, or etch operations. An in situ dry chamber clean may be performed to remove the unintended metal-containing photoresist material by exposure to an etch gas. The dry chamber clean may be performed at elevated temperatures without striking a plasma. In some embodiments, the dry chamber clean may include pumping/purging and conditioning operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Peter, Da Li, Timothy William Weidman, Boris Volosskiy, Chenghao Wu, Katie Lynn Nardi, Kevin Li Gu, Leon Taleh, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Jengyi Yu, Meng Xue
  • Patent number: 11450532
    Abstract: A method for selectively etching a first region of a structure with respect to a second region of the structure is provided. The method comprises at least one cycle. Each cycle comprises selectively depositing an inhibitor layer on the first region of the structure, providing an atomic layer deposition over the structure, wherein the atomic layer deposition selectively deposits a mask on the second region of the structure with respect to the inhibitor layer, and selectively etching the first region of the structure with respect to the mask. The selectively depositing an inhibitor layer on the first region of the structure comprises providing an inhibitor layer gas and forming the inhibitor layer gas into inhibitor layer radicals, wherein the inhibitor layer radicals selectively deposit on the first region of the structure with respect to the second region of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Younghee Lee, Daniel Peter, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Yang Pan
  • Publication number: 20220254649
    Abstract: A method for selectively etching a stack with respect to a mask is provided. An atomic layer etch is provided to at least partially etch the stack, wherein the atomic layer etch forms at least some residue. An ion beam is provided to etch the stack, wherein the ion beam etch removes at least some of the residue from the atomic layer etch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Tamal MUKHERJEE, Wenbing YANG, Girish DIXIT, Yang PAN
  • Publication number: 20220244645
    Abstract: Development of resists are useful, for example, to form a patterning mask in the context of high-resolution patterning. Development can be accomplished using a halide-containing chemistry such as a hydrogen halide. A metal-containing resist film may be deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a dry or wet deposition technique. The resist film may be an EUV-sensitive organo-metal oxide or organo-metal-containing thin film resist. After exposure, the photopatterned metal-containing resist is developed using wet or dry development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Jengyi Yu, Da Li, Yiwen Fan, Yang Pan, Jeffrey Marks, Richard A. Gottscho, Daniel Peter, Timothy William Weidman, Boris Volosskiy, Wenbing Yang