Patents by Inventor Sho Kumakura

Sho Kumakura 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: 20200279733
    Abstract: Provided is a method of processing a substrate including an etching target film and a mask having an opening formed on the etching target film. The method includes a) providing the substrate on a stage in a chamber and b) forming a film having a thickness that differs along a film thickness direction of the mask, on a side wall of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho KUMAKURA, Maju TOMURA, Yoshihide KIHARA, Hironari SASAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20200279757
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes (a) forming a recess on a workpiece by partially etching the workpiece; and (b) forming a film having a thickness that differs along a depth direction of the recess, on a side wall of the recess. Step (b) includes (b-1) supplying a first reactant, and causing the first reactant to be adsorbed to the side wall of the recess; and (b-2) supplying a second reactant, and causing the second reactant to react with the first reactant thereby forming a film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho KUMAKURA, Hironari SASAGAWA, Maju TOMURA, Yoshihide KIHARA
  • Publication number: 20200273699
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 10755944
    Abstract: An etching method selectively etches a first region of a substrate with respect to a second region of the substrate. At least a portion of the first region, which includes the surface of the first region, is modified by plasma to form a first modified region. At least a portion of the second region, which includes the surface of the second region, is modified by plasma to form a second modified region. The first modified region is selectively etched with respect to the second modified region by plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
  • Publication number: 20200234963
    Abstract: An etching method include: etching a silicon-containing film or a metal-containing film formed on a substrate; and heating the substrate by temporarily irradiating the substrate with electromagnetic waves during the etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho KUMAKURA, Ryutaro SUDA
  • Publication number: 20200185238
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
  • Publication number: 20200176265
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes providing a processing target substrate having a pattern, forming a film on the substrate, forming a reaction layer on a surface layer of the substrate by plasma, and removing the reaction layer by applying energy to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takayuki KATSUNUMA, Toru HISAMATSU, Shinya ISHIKAWA, Yoshihide KIHARA, Masanobu HONDA, Maju TOMURA, Sho KUMAKURA
  • Patent number: 10672605
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Patent number: 10600660
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
  • Publication number: 20200058512
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20200035501
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro TABATA, Sho KUMAKURA
  • Publication number: 20200032395
    Abstract: A plasma processing method executed by a plasma processing apparatus in the present disclosure includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, the plasma processing apparatus forms a first film on the side walls of an opening in the processing target, the first film having different thicknesses along a spacing between pairs of side walls facing each other. In the second step, the plasma processing apparatus forms a second film by performing a film forming cycle once or more times after the first step, the second film having different thicknesses along the spacing between the pairs of side walls facing each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Michiko NAKAYA, Toru HISAMATSU, Shinya ISHIKAWA, Sho KUMAKURA, Masanobu HONDA, Yoshihide KIHARA
  • Patent number: 10483118
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20190259626
    Abstract: An etching method selectively etches a first region of a substrate with respect to a second region of the substrate. At least a portion of the first region, which includes the surface of the first region, is modified by plasma to form a first modified region. At least a portion of the second region, which includes the surface of the second region, is modified by plasma to form a second modified region. The first modified region is selectively etched with respect to the second modified region by plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro TABATA, Sho KUMAKURA
  • Publication number: 20190252217
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
  • Publication number: 20190198350
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate is provided. The substrate includes an etching target region and a patterned region. The patterned region is provided on the etching target region. In the method, an organic film is formed on a surface of the substrate. Subsequently, the etching target region is etched by plasma generated from a processing gas. The organic film is formed in a state that the substrate is placed in a processing space within a chamber. When the organic film is formed, a first gas containing a first organic compound is supplied toward the substrate, and then, a second gas containing a second organic compound is supplied toward the substrate. An organic compound constituting the organic film is generated by polymerization of the first organic compound and the second organic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Toru Hisamatsu, Sho Kumakura, Ryuichi Asako, Shinya Ishikawa, Masanobu Honda
  • Patent number: 10319613
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro Tabata, Sho Kumakura
  • Patent number: 10269578
    Abstract: An etching method of etching 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 etching method includes a first process of forming a film on the end surface of each protrusion region; a second process of selectively exposing one or more end surfaces by anisotropically etching the film formed through the first process; and a third process of anisotropically etching the one or more end surfaces exposed through the second process atomic layer by atomic layer. The processing target layer contains silicon nitride, and the film contains silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20180330958
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20180301332
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Sho Kumakura, Masahiro Tabata