Patents by Inventor Srinivas Gandikota

Srinivas Gandikota 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: 11817320
    Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to a method for forming a metal layer and to a method for forming an oxide layer on the metal layer. In one implementation, the metal layer is formed on a seed layer, and the seed layer helps the metal in the metal layer nucleate with small grain size without affecting the conductivity of the metal layer. The metal layer may be formed using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and nitrogen gas may be flowed into the processing chamber along with the precursor gases. In another implementation, a barrier layer is formed on the metal layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized during subsequent oxide layer deposition process. In another implementation, the metal layer is treated prior to the deposition of the oxide layer in order to prevent the metal layer from being oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Susmit Singha Roy, Kelvin Chan, Hien Minh Le, Sanjay Kamath, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Srinivas Gandikota, Karthik Janakiraman
  • Publication number: 20230323543
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide in situ selectively deposited molybdenum films having reduced resistivity and methods of reducing or eliminating lateral growth of a selectively deposited molybdenum layer. Additional embodiments provide integrated clean and deposition processes which improve the selectivity of in situ selectively deposited molybdenum films on features, such as a via. Further embodiments advantageously provide methods of improving uniformity and selectivity of bottom-up gap fill for vias with improved film properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuerxun Ailihumaer, Yixiong Yang, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Srinivas Gandikota, Yogesh Sharma, Pei Hsuan Lin, Yi Xu, Zhimin Qi, Aixi Zhang, Shiyu Yue, Yu Lei
  • Publication number: 20230326744
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for bottom-up metal gapfill without substantial deposition outside of the feature. Additional embodiments provide a method of forming a metal material on the top surface of the substrate and the bottom of the feature before depositing the metal gapfill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Yixiong Yang, Srinivas Gandikota, Joung Joo Lee, Liqi Wu, Jie Zhang, Tuerxun Ailihumaer, Yogesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 11776980
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming reflector films are described A liner is formed on a substrate surface followed by formation of the reflector layer so that there is no oxygen exposure between liner and reflector layer formation. In some embodiments, a high aspect ratio structure is filled with a reflector material by partially filling the structure with the reflector material while growth is inhibited at a top portion of the structure, reactivating the top portion of the substrate and then filling the structure with the reflector material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Luping Li, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Wen Ting Chen, Yixiong Yang, In Seok Hwang, Shih Chung Chen, Srinivas Gandikota
  • Publication number: 20230295804
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film by exposing a substrate surface to a halide precursor and an organosilane reactant are described. The halide precursor comprises a compound of general formula (I): MQzRm, wherein M is a metal, Q is a halogen selected from Cl, Br, F or I, z is from 1 to 6, R is selected from alkyl, CO, and cyclopentadienyl, and m is from 0 to 6. The aluminum reactant comprises a compound of general formula (II) or general formula (III): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf are independently selected from hydrogen (H), substituted alkyl or unsubstituted alkyl; and X, Y, X?, and Y? are independently selected from nitrogen (N) and carbon (C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Geetika Bajaj, Yixiong Yang, Seshadri Ganguli, Tuerxun Ailihumaer, Yogesh Sharma, Tianyi Huang
  • Patent number: 11732358
    Abstract: Process chamber lids, processing chambers and methods using the lids are described. The lid includes a pumping liner with a showerhead, blocker plate and gas funnel positioned therein. A liner heater is positioned on the pumping liner to control temperature in the pumping liner. Gas is flowed into the gas funnel using a dead-volume free one-way valve with a remote plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Muhannad Mustafa, Muhammad M. Rasheed, Mario D. Sanchez, Srinivas Gandikota, Wei V. Tang
  • Publication number: 20230260791
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing and processing semiconductor devices (i.e., electronic devices) are described. Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide electronic devices which comprise an integrated dipole region to meet reduced thickness and lower thermal budget requirements. The electronic devices described herein comprise a source region, a drain region, and a channel separating the source region and the drain region, and a dipole region having an interfacial layer, a metal film substantially free of non-metal atoms on the interfacial layer, and a high-? dielectric layer on the metal film. In some embodiments, the dipole region of the electronic devices comprises an interfacial layer, a high-? dielectric layer on the interfacial layer, and a metal film on the high-? dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the methods comprise annealing the substrate to drive particles of metal from the metal film into one or more of the interfacial layer or the high-? dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Yixiong Yang, Steven C.H. Hung, Tianyi Huang, Seshadri Ganguli
  • Publication number: 20230253466
    Abstract: Methods of forming and processing semiconductor devices are described. Certain embodiments related to electronic devices which comprise a dipole region having an interlayer dielectric, a high-? dielectric material, and a dipole layer. The dipole layer comprises one or more of titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN), titanium tantalum nitride (TiTaN), titanium oxide (TiO), tantalum oxide (TaO), and titanium aluminum carbide (TiAIC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjing Lin, Karla M Bernal Ramos, Shih Chung Chen, Yixiong Yang, Lin Dong, Steven C.H. Hung, Srinivas Gandikota
  • Publication number: 20230245925
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal nitride layer on a substrate includes exposing a substrate having features formed therein to a first deposition gas mixture including metal source material in a processing chamber to deposit metal source material in the features, supplying a first purge gas mixture into the processing chamber to remove excess metal source material and reaction byproducts from the processing chamber, exposing the substrate to a second deposition gas mixture including a nitride source compound in the processing chamber to form no more than one monolayer of metal nitride, supplying a second purge gas mixture into the processing chamber to remove excess nitride source compound and reaction byproducts from the processing chamber, and exposing the substrate to plasma using a microwave plasma source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Wenyi LIU, Wei TANG, Srinivas GANDIKOTA, Yixiong YANG, Yong WU, Jianqiu GUO, Arkaprava DAN, Mandyam SRIRAM
  • Patent number: 11705335
    Abstract: Methods of doping a semiconductor material are disclosed. Some embodiments provide for conformal doping of three dimensional structures. Some embodiments provide for doping with high concentrations of boron for p-type doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Swaminathan Srinivasan, Rui Cheng, Susmit Singha Roy, Gaurav Thareja, Mukund Srinivasan, Sanjay Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11658218
    Abstract: Methods of forming and processing semiconductor devices are described. Certain embodiments related to electronic devices which comprise a dipole region having an interlayer dielectric, a high-? dielectric material, and a dipole layer. The dipole layer comprises one or more of titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium tantalum nitride (TiTaN), titanium oxide (TiO), tantalum oxide (TaO), and titanium aluminum carbide (TiAlC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjing Lin, Karla M Bernal Ramos, Shih Chung Chen, Yixiong Yang, Lin Dong, Steven C. H. Hung, Srinivas Gandikota
  • Publication number: 20230154726
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetic and electromagnetic systems and a method for controlling the density profile of plasma generated in a process volume of a PECVD chamber to affect deposition profile of a film. In one embodiment, a plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in a rotational magnetic housing of the magnetic housing systems. Each retaining bracket of the plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in the rotational magnetic housing with a distance d between each retaining bracket. The plurality of retaining brackets has a plurality of magnets removably disposed therein. The plurality of magnets is configured to travel in a circular path when the rotational magnetic housing is rotated around the round central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Srinivas GANDIKOTA, Tza-Jing GUNG, Samuel E. GOTTHEIM, Timothy Joseph FRANKLIN, Pramit MANNA, Eswaranand VENKATASUBRAMANIAN, Edward HAYWOOD, Stephen C. GARNER, Adam FISCHBACH
  • Publication number: 20230141748
    Abstract: Methods for DRAM device with a buried word line are described. The method includes forming a metal cap layer and a molybdenum conductor layer in a feature on a substrate. The method includes depositing the metal cap layer on the substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and depositing the molybdenum conductor layer by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the metal cap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixiong Yang, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Yong Yang, Srinivas Gandikota, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Joung Joo Lee, Feihu Wang, Seshadri Ganguli
  • Patent number: 11646226
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal nitride layer on a substrate includes exposing a substrate having features formed therein to a first deposition gas mixture including metal source material in a processing chamber to deposit metal source material in the features, supplying a first purge gas mixture into the processing chamber to remove excess metal source material and reaction byproducts from the processing chamber, exposing the substrate to a second deposition gas mixture including a nitride source compound in the processing chamber to form no more than one monolayer of metal nitride, supplying a second purge gas mixture into the processing chamber to remove excess nitride source compound and reaction byproducts from the processing chamber, and exposing the substrate to plasma using a microwave plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Liu, Wei Tang, Srinivas Gandikota, Yixiong Yang, Yong Wu, Jianqiu Guo, Arkaprava Dan, Mandyam Sriram
  • Patent number: 11621160
    Abstract: A microelectronic device on a semiconductor substrate comprises: a gate electrode; and a spacer adjacent to the gate electrode, the spacer comprising: a the low-k dielectric film comprising one or more species of vanadium oxide, which is optionally doped, and an optional silicon nitride or oxide film. Methods comprise depositing a low-k dielectric film optionally sandwiched by a silicon nitride or oxide film to form a spacer adjacent to a gate electrode of a microelectronic device on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the low-k dielectric film comprises a vanadium-containing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Eswaranand Venkatasubramanian, Srinivas Gandikota, Kelvin Chan, Atashi Basu, Abhijit Basu Mallick
  • Patent number: 11621226
    Abstract: A graphene barrier layer is disclosed. Some embodiments relate to a graphene barrier layer capable of preventing diffusion from a fill layer into a substrate surface and/or vice versa. Some embodiments relate to a graphene barrier layer that prevents diffusion of fluorine from a tungsten layer into the underlying substrate. Additional embodiments relate to electronic devices which contain a graphene barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yong Wu, Srinivas Gandikota, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Srinivas D. Nemani
  • Publication number: 20230097400
    Abstract: Metal gate stacks and integrated methods of forming metal gate stacks are disclosed. Some embodiments comprise NbN as a PMOS work function material at a thickness in a range of greater than or equal to 5 ? to less than or equal to 50 ?. The PMOS work function material comprising NbN has an effective work function of greater than or equal to 4.75 eV. Some embodiments comprise HfO2 as a high-? metal oxide layer. Some embodiments provide improved PMOS bandedge performance evidenced by improved flatband voltage. Some embodiments exclude transition metal niobium nitride materials as work function materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Steven C.H. Hung, Mandyam Sriram, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Yixiong Yang, Yong Yang
  • Patent number: 11587936
    Abstract: Methods for DRAM device with a buried word line are described. The method includes forming a metal cap layer and a molybdenum conductor layer in a feature on a substrate. The method includes depositing the metal cap layer on the substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and depositing the molybdenum conductor layer by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the metal cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixiong Yang, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Yong Yang, Srinivas Gandikota, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Joung Joo Lee, Feihu Wang, Seshadri Ganguli
  • Patent number: 11587764
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetic and electromagnetic systems and a method for controlling the density profile of plasma generated in a process volume of a PECVD chamber to affect deposition profile of a film. In one embodiment, a plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in a rotational magnetic housing of the magnetic housing systems. Each retaining bracket of the plurality of retaining brackets is disposed in the rotational magnetic housing with a distance d between each retaining bracket. The plurality of retaining brackets has a plurality of magnets removably disposed therein. The plurality of magnets is configured to travel in a circular path when the rotational magnetic housing is rotated around the round central opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Tza-Jing Gung, Samuel E. Gottheim, Timothy Joseph Franklin, Pramit Manna, Eswaranand Venkatasubramanian, Edward Haywood, Stephen C. Garner, Adam Fischbach
  • Publication number: 20230015781
    Abstract: Methods for forming a semiconductor structure and semiconductor structures are described. The method comprises patterning a substrate to form a first opening and a second opening, the substrate comprising an n transistor and a p transistor, the first opening over the n transistor and the second opening over the p transistor; pre-cleaning the substrate; depositing a titanium silicide (TiSi) layer on the n transistor and on the p transistor by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD); optionally depositing a first barrier layer on the titanium silicide (TiSi) layer and selectively removing the first barrier layer from the p transistor; selectively forming a molybdenum silicide (MoSi) layer on the titanium silicide (TiSi) layer on the n transistor and the p transistor; forming a second barrier layer on the molybdenum silicide (MoSi) layer; and annealing the semiconductor structure. The method may be performed in a processing chamber without breaking vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ria Someshwar, Seshadri Ganguli, Lan Yu, Siddarth Krishnan, Srinivas Gandikota, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Yixiong Yang