Patents by Inventor Takeo Okabe
Takeo Okabe 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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Publication number: 20140367253Abstract: A high-purity copper sputtering target, wherein a Vickers hardness of a flange part of the target is in a range of 90 to 100 Hv, a Vickers hardness of an erosion part in the central area of the target is in a range of 55 to 70 Hv, and a crystal grain size of the erosion part is 80 ?m or less. This invention relates to a high-purity copper sputtering target that does not need to be bonded to a backing plate (BP), and aims to provide a high-purity copper sputtering target capable of forming a thin film having superior uniformity by enhancing a strength (hardness) of the flange part of the target, and reducing an amount of warpage of the target. Moreover, the uniformity of the film thickness is improved by adjusting the (111) orientation ratio of the erosion part and the flange part in the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 25, 2012Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Tomio Otsuki, Shigeru Watanabe
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Publication number: 20140318953Abstract: A backing plate integrated sputtering target includes a flange part having a Vicker's hardness (Hv) of 90 or more and a 0.2% yield stress of 6.98×107 N/m2 or more. Enhancing the mechanical strength of only the flange part of the target inhibits the target from being deformed during sputtering, and further, does not vary the original sputtering characteristics. Consequently, the target can form a thin film having excellent uniformity. This can improve the yield and the reliability of semiconductor products, which have been progressing in miniaturization and integration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Nagata, Tomio Otsuki, Takeo Okabe, Nobuhito Makino, Atsushi Fukushima
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Publication number: 20140284211Abstract: A high purity copper-manganese alloy sputtering target containing 0.05 to 20 wt % of Mn and, excluding additive elements, remainder being Cu and unavoidable impurities, wherein the target contains 0.001 to 0.06 wtppm of P and 0.005 to 5 wtppm of S, and further contains Ca and Si, and a total content of P, S, Ca, and Si is 0.01 to 20 wtppm. The incorporation of appropriate amounts of Mn as well as Ca, P, Si, and S in copper improves the machinability that is required in the stage of producing a target to facilitate the manufacture (workability) of the target, improves the smoothness of the target surface, and inhibits the generation of particles during sputtering. Thus, provided is a high purity copper-manganese alloy sputtering target which is particularly useful for improving the yield and reliability of semiconductor products that progress toward miniaturization and integration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Kenichi Nagata, Tomio Otsuki, Takeo Okabe, Nobuhito Makino, Atsushi Fukushima
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Publication number: 20140158532Abstract: Provided is a high-purity copper-manganese-alloy sputtering target comprising 0.05 to 20 wt. % of Mn, 2 wt ppm or less of C, and the remainder being Cu and inevitable impurities, wherein in formation of a film on a wafer by sputtering the target, the number of particles composed of C, at least one element selected from Mn, Si, and Mg, or a compound composed of C and at least one element selected from Mn, Si, and Mg and having a diameter of 0.20 ?m or more is 30 or less on average. Particle generation during sputtering can be effectively suppressed by thus adding an appropriate amount of Mn element to copper and controlling the amount of carbon. In particular, a high-purity copper-manganese-alloy sputtering target that is useful for forming semiconductor copper alloy line having a self-diffusion suppression function is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Nagata, Tomio Otsuki, Takeo Okabe, Nobuhito Makino, Atsushi Fukushima
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Publication number: 20140097084Abstract: Provided is a high-purity copper-manganese-alloy sputtering target comprising 0.05 to 20 wt % of Mn and the remainder being Cu and inevitable impurities. The high-purity copper-manganese-alloy sputtering target is characterized in that the in-plane variation (CV value) in Mn concentration of the target is 3% or less. It is thus possible to form a thin film having excellent uniformity by adding an appropriate amount of a Mn element to copper and reducing the in-plane variation of the sputtering target. In particular, there is provided a high-purity copper-manganese-alloy sputtering target which is useful for improving the yield and the reliability of semiconductor products which are making progress in a degree of refinement and integration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Nagata, Tomio Otsuki, Takeo Okabe, Nobuhito Makino, Atsushi Fukushima
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Publication number: 20140027277Abstract: A high-purity titanium target for sputtering, which contains, as additive components, one or more elements selected from Al, Si, S, Cl, Cr, Fe, Ni, As, Zr, Sn, Sb, B, and La in a total amount of 3 to 100 mass ppm, and of which the purity excluding additive components and gas components is 99.99 mass % or higher. An object of this invention is to provide a high-quality titanium target for sputtering, which is free from fractures and cracks during high-power sputtering (high-rate sputtering) and capable of stabilizing the sputtering characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuhito Makino, Takeo Okabe, Shiro Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 8262816Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
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Patent number: 8252157Abstract: An electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing a phosphorous copper anode having a crystal grain size of 1,500 ?m (or more) to 20,000 ?m in an electrolytic copper plating method employing a phosphorous copper anode. Upon performing electrolytic copper plating, an object is to provide an electrolytic copper plating method of a semiconductor wafer for preventing the adhesion of particles, which arise at the anode side in the plating bath, to the plating object such as a semiconductor wafer, a phosphorous copper anode for electrolytic copper plating, and a semiconductor wafer having low particle adhesion plated with such method and anode.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe
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Patent number: 8246764Abstract: A first copper alloy sputtering target comprising 0.5 to 4.0 wt % of Al and 0.5 wtppm or less of Si and a second copper alloy sputtering target comprising 0.5 to 4.0 wt % of Sn and 0.5 wtppm or less of Mn are disclosed. The first and/or the second alloy sputtering target can further comprise one or more elements selected from among Sb, Zr, Ti, Cr, Ag, Au, Cd, In and As in a total amount of 1.0 wtppm or less. A semiconductor element wiring formed by the use of the above targets is also disclosed. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Takeo Okabe, Hirohito Miyashita
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Patent number: 8241438Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
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Patent number: 8062440Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
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Patent number: 7943033Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
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Publication number: 20100307923Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 7799188Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., LtdInventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 7788882Abstract: Provided are a packaging device and packaging method of a hollow cathode sputtering target which installs, in the hollow cathode sputtering target, a cover of a size capable of covering a void of the target; provides one or more through-holes to the cover; places a resin bag over them, and performs vacuum suction to the inside of the bag. This packaging device and packaging method of a hollow cathode sputtering target is capable of performing vacuum suction even to the inside of the hollow portion covered with the resin bag.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Masaru Nagasawa
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Publication number: 20100219070Abstract: A copper alloy sputtering target is provided and contains 0.01 to (less than) 0.5 wt % of at least one element selected from Al or Sn, and containing Mn or Si in a total amount of 0.25 wtppm or less. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics. A semiconductor element wiring formed with this target is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.Inventor: Takeo Okabe
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Patent number: 7740721Abstract: Provided is a copper alloy sputtering target containing 0.01 to (less than) 0.5 wt % of at least 1 element selected from Al or Sn, and containing Mn or Si in a total amount of 0.25 wtppm or less. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics. A semiconductor element wiring formed with this target is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., LtdInventor: Takeo Okabe
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Patent number: 7648621Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more or a non-recrystallized anode. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
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Publication number: 20100000871Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 ?m or less or 60 ?m or more. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.Inventors: Akihiro Aiba, Takeo Okabe, Junnosuke Sekiguchi
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Publication number: 20090140430Abstract: A first copper alloy sputtering target comprising 0.5 to 4.0 wt % of Al and 0.5 wtppm or less of Si and a second copper alloy sputtering target comprising 0.5 to 4.0 wt % of Sn and 0.5 wtppm or less of Mn are disclosed. The first and/or the second alloy sputtering target can further comprise one or more elements selected from among Sb, Zr, Ti, Cr, Ag, Au, Cd, In and As in a total amount of 1.0 wtppm or less. A semiconductor element wiring formed by the use of the above targets is also disclosed. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Hirohito Miyashita