Patents by Inventor Tom E. Blomberg

Tom E. Blomberg 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: 20220025513
    Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively depositing a material on a first metal or metallic surface of a substrate relative to a second, dielectric surface of the substrate, or for selectively depositing metal oxides on a first metal oxide surface of a substrate relative to a second silicon oxide surface. The selectively deposited material can be, for example, a metal, metal oxide, metal nitride, metal silicide, metal carbide and/or dielectric material. In some embodiments a substrate comprising a first metal or metallic surface and a second dielectric surface is alternately and sequentially contacted with a first vapor-phase metal halide reactant and a second reactant. In some embodiments a substrate comprising a first metal oxide surface and a second silicon oxide surface is alternately and sequentially contacted with a first vapor phase metal fluoride or chloride reactant and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Suvi P. Haukka, Raija H. Matero, Elina Färm, Tom E. Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20220028870
    Abstract: A method for forming a V-NAND device is disclosed. Specifically, the method involves deposition of at least one of semiconductive material, conductive material, or dielectric material to form a channel for the V-NAND device. In addition, the method may involve a pretreatment step where ALD, CVD, or other cyclical deposition processes may be used to improve adhesion of the material in the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Jan Willem Maes
  • Patent number: 11230769
    Abstract: Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi P. Haukka, Marko J. Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 11230770
    Abstract: Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi Haukka, Marko Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 11183367
    Abstract: Atomic layer etching (ALE) processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase non-metal halide reactant and a second vapor phase halide reactant. In some embodiments both the first and second reactants are chloride reactants. In some embodiments the first reactant is fluorinating gas and the second reactant is a chlorinating gas. In some embodiments a thermal ALE cycle is used in which the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi Haukka, Marko Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 11174550
    Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively depositing a material on a first metal or metallic surface of a substrate relative to a second, dielectric surface of the substrate, or for selectively depositing metal oxides on a first metal oxide surface of a substrate relative to a second silicon oxide surface. The selectively deposited material can be, for example, a metal, metal oxide, metal nitride, metal silicide, metal carbide and/or dielectric material. In some embodiments a substrate comprising a first metal or metallic surface and a second dielectric surface is alternately and sequentially contacted with a first vapor-phase metal halide reactant and a second reactant. In some embodiments a substrate comprising a first metal oxide surface and a second silicon oxide surface is alternately and sequentially contacted with a first vapor phase metal fluoride or chloride reactant and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Suvi P. Haukka, Raija H. Matero, Elina Färm, Tom E. Blomberg
  • Patent number: 11139308
    Abstract: A method for forming a V-NAND device is disclosed. Specifically, the method involves deposition of at least one of semiconductive material, conductive material, or dielectric material to form a channel for the V-NAND device. In addition, the method may involve a pretreatment step where ALD, CVD, or other cyclical deposition processes may be used to improve adhesion of the material in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Jan Willem Maes
  • Publication number: 20210074865
    Abstract: Deposition processes are disclosed herein for depositing thin films comprising a dielectric transition metal compound phase and a conductive or semiconducting transition metal compound phase on a substrate in a reaction space. Deposition processes can include a plurality of super-cycles. Each super-cycle may include a dielectric transition metal compound sub-cycle and a reducing sub-cycle. The dielectric transition metal compound sub-cycle may include contacting the substrate with a dielectric transition metal compound. The reducing sub-cycle may include alternately and sequentially contacting the substrate with a reducing agent and a nitrogen reactant. The thin film may comprise a dielectric transition metal compound phase embedded in a conductive or semiconducting transition metal compound phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Hannu Huotari
  • Publication number: 20210020468
    Abstract: To create constant partial pressures of the by-products and residence time of the gas molecules across the wafer, a dual showerhead reactor can be used. A dual showerhead structure can achieve spatially uniform partial pressures, residence times and temperatures for the etchant and for the by-products, thus leading to uniform etch rates across the wafer. The system can include differential pumping to the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma
  • Publication number: 20210020469
    Abstract: A semiconductor vapor etching device is disclosed. The device can include an intermediate chamber between a vapor source and a reaction chamber. Etch reactant vapor can be pulsed from the intermediate chamber to the reaction chamber to etch a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma
  • Patent number: 10861986
    Abstract: Deposition processes are disclosed herein for depositing thin films comprising a dielectric transition metal compound phase and a conductive or semiconducting transition metal compound phase on a substrate in a reaction space. Deposition processes can include a plurality of super-cycles. Each super-cycle may include a dielectric transition metal compound sub-cycle and a reducing sub-cycle. The dielectric transition metal compound sub-cycle may include contacting the substrate with a dielectric transition metal compound. The reducing sub-cycle may include alternately and sequentially contacting the substrate with a reducing agent and a nitrogen reactant. The thin film may comprise a dielectric transition metal compound phase embedded in a conductive or semiconducting transition metal compound phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Hannu Huotari
  • Publication number: 20200308709
    Abstract: Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi P. Haukka, Marko J. Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20200308710
    Abstract: Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi Haukka, Marko Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20200312620
    Abstract: Atomic layer etching (ALE) processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase non-metal halide reactant and a second vapor phase halide reactant. In some embodiments both the first and second reactants are chloride reactants. In some embodiments the first reactant is fluorinating gas and the second reactant is a chlorinating gas. In some embodiments a thermal ALE cycle is used in which the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi Haukka, Marko Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20200263297
    Abstract: Vapor deposition processes such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes employing a deposition enhancing precursor can be used to form a variety of oxide and nitride films, including metal oxide, metal nitride, metal oxynitride, silicon oxide and silicon nitride films. For example, the methods can be used to deposit transition metal nitrides, transition metal oxides, and silicon oxides and nitrides. In some embodiments the deposition enhancing precursor comprises a Group II metal such as Mg, Sr, Ba or Ca. Atomic layer deposition processes may comprise a deposition cycle comprising a first sub-cycle in which a substrate is contacted with a deposition enhancing precursor and an oxygen or nitrogen reactant and a second sub-cycle in which the substrate is contacted with a metal or silicon precursor and an oxygen or nitrogen reactant. In some embodiments the methods advantageously enable improved thin film formation, for example increased deposition rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Henri Jussila, Chiyu Zhu, Qi Xie, Jiyeon Kim, Tom E. Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20200235037
    Abstract: An atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for depositing a fluorine-containing thin film on a substrate can include a plurality of super-cycles. Each super-cycle may include a metal fluoride sub-cycle and a reducing sub-cycle. The metal fluoride sub-cycle may include contacting the substrate with a metal fluoride. The reducing sub-cycle may include alternately and sequentially contacting the substrate with a reducing agent and a nitrogen reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Linda Lindroos, Hannu Huotari
  • Patent number: 10699899
    Abstract: Antimony oxide thin films are deposited by atomic layer deposition using an antimony reactant and an oxygen source. Antimony reactants may include antimony halides, such as SbCl3, antimony alkylamines, and antimony alkoxides, such as Sb(OEt)3. The oxygen source may be, for example, ozone. In some embodiments the antimony oxide thin films are deposited in a batch reactor. The antimony oxide thin films may serve, for example, as etch stop layers or sacrificial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ASM International N.V.
    Inventors: Raija H. Matero, Linda Lindroos, Hessel Sprey, Jan Willem Maes, David de Roest, Dieter Pierreux, Kees van der Jeugd, Lucia D'Urzo, Tom E. Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20200181769
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for depositing a passivation layer comprising fluorine over a dielectric material that is sensitive to chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The passivation layer can protect the sensitive dielectric layer thereby enabling deposition using precursors comprising chlorine, bromine, and iodine over the passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Eva E. Tois, Robert Huggare, Jan Willem Maes, Vladimir Machkaoutsan, Dieter Pierreux
  • Patent number: 10665425
    Abstract: Atomic layer etching (ALE) processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase non-metal halide reactant and a second vapor phase halide reactant. In some embodiments both the first and second reactants are chloride reactants. In some embodiments the first reactant is fluorinating gas and the second reactant is a chlorinating gas. In some embodiments a thermal ALE cycle is used in which the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi P. Haukka, Marko J. Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 10662534
    Abstract: Thermal atomic layer etching processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods comprise at least one etch cycle in which the substrate is alternately and sequentially exposed to a first vapor phase halide reactant and a second vapor halide reactant. In some embodiments, the first reactant may comprise an organic halide compound. During the thermal ALE cycle, the substrate is not contacted with a plasma reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma, Suvi Haukka, Marko Tuominen, Chiyu Zhu