Patents by Inventor Toru HISAMATSU

Toru HISAMATSU 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: 10504745
    Abstract: In a method according to an embodiment, before etching a target layer of a wafer, a main surface of the target layer is divided into a plurality of areas. A difference value between a groove width of a mask and a reference value of the groove width is calculated for each of the plurality of areas, a temperature of the target layer is adjusted by using correspondence data indicating correspondence between a temperature of the target layer and a film thickness of a formed film. Then, a film is formed on the mask for each atom layer, and a film having a film thickness corresponding to the difference value is formed on the mask to correct the groove width in each of the plurality of areas to the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masanobu Honda
  • Publication number: 20190326125
    Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20190259627
    Abstract: In an embodiment, in the method for processing a workpiece including an etching target layer containing silicon oxide, a mask provided on the etching target layer, and an opening provided in the mask and exposing the etching target layer, according to the embodiment, the etching target layer is etched by removing the etching target layer for each atomic layer through repetitive execution of a sequence of generating plasma of a first processing gas containing nitrogen, forming a mixed layer containing ions included in the plasma on an atomic layer on an exposed surface of the etching target layer, generating plasma of a second processing gas containing fluorine, and removing the mixed layer by radicals included in the plasma. The plasma of the second processing gas contains the radicals that remove the mixed layer containing silicon nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro TABATA, Toru HISAMATSU, Yoshihide KIHARA, Masanobu HONDA
  • Patent number: 10381236
    Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190131141
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a wafer W includes a layer EL to be etched and a mask MK4 provided on the layer EL to be etched, and a method MT of an embodiment, the layer EL to be etched is etched by removing the layer EL to be etched for each atomic layer, by repeating sequence SQ3 including step ST9a of irradiating the mask MK4 with secondary electrons by generating plasma and applying a DC voltage to an upper electrode 30 of a parallel plate electrode, and covering the mask MK4 with silicon oxide compound, step ST9b of generating plasma of fluorocarbon-based gas and forming a mixed layer MX2 including radicals on an atomic layer of the layer EL to be etched, and ST9d of generating plasma of Ar gas and applying a bias voltage to remove the mixed layer MX2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIHARA, Toru HISAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20190108997
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a wafer W includes a layer EL to be etched, an organic film OL, an antireflection film AL, and a mask MK1, and a method MT according to an embodiment includes a step of performing an etching process on the antireflection film AL by using the mask MK1 with plasma generated in a processing container 12, in the processing container 12 of a plasma processing apparatus 10 in which the wafer W is accommodated, and the step includes steps ST3a to ST4 of conformally forming a protective film SX on the surface of the mask MK1, and steps ST6a to ST7 of etching the antireflection film AL by removing the antireflection film AL for each atomic layer by using the mask MK1 on which the protective film SX is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIHARA, Toru HISAMATSU, Tomoyuki OISHI
  • Patent number: 10233535
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed to face the first electrode, a chamber, a first high-frequency power supply, a direct-current power supply, and a gas supply source. The plasma processing apparatus generates first plasma to form a film of a reaction product on the second electrode by causing the first high-frequency power supply to supply first high-frequency power to the second electrode and causing the gas supply source to supply a first gas into the chamber; and generates second plasma to sputter the film of the reaction product by causing the first high-frequency power supply to supply the first high-frequency power to the second electrode, causing the direct-current power supply to supply direct-current power to the second electrode, and causing the gas supply source to supply a second gas into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Masanobu Honda, Toru Hisamatsu
  • Publication number: 20190067019
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of processing a workpiece in which a plurality of holes are formed on a surface of the workpiece. The method includes a first sequence including a first process of forming a film with respect to an inner surface of each of the holes and a second process of isotropically etching the film. The first process includes a film forming process using a plasma CVD method, and the film contains silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro TABATA, Toru HISAMATSU, Yoshihide KIHARA
  • Publication number: 20190019689
    Abstract: In a method according to an embodiment, before etching a target layer of a wafer, a main surface of the target layer is divided into a plurality of areas. A difference value between a groove width of a mask and a reference value of the groove width is calculated for each of the plurality of areas, a temperature of the target layer is adjusted by using correspondence data indicating correspondence between a temperature of the target layer and a film thickness of a formed film. Then, a film is formed on the mask for each atom layer, and a film having a film thickness corresponding to the difference value is formed on the mask to correct the groove width in each of the plurality of areas to the reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIHARA, Toru HISAMATSU, Masanobu HONDA
  • Publication number: 20180301347
    Abstract: A method includes anisotropically etching an etching target layer of a target object through an opening of the target object by generating plasma of a first gas within a processing vessel in which the target object is accommodated; and then forming a film on an inner surface of the opening by repeating a sequence comprising: a first process of supplying a second gas into the processing vessel; a second process of purging a space within the processing vessel; a third process of generating plasma of a third gas containing an oxygen atom within the processing vessel; and a fourth process of purging the space within the processing vessel. The first gas contains a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. The second gas contains an aminosilane-based gas. The etching target layer is a hydrophilic insulating layer containing silicon. Plasma of the first gas is not generated in the first process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masahiro Tabata
  • Publication number: 20180247827
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing method includes a first process of etching an insulating film over a conductive layer of an object into a pattern of a mask, and exposing the conductive layer to a recessed portion formed in the insulating film, and a second process of forming an organic film in the recessed portion of the insulating film to which the conductive layer is exposed, the second process including, maintaining a chamber at a predetermined pressure, cooling a stage to ?20° C. or less, and placing the object on the stage, supplying a gas including a gas containing a low vapor pressure material to the chamber, and generating plasma from the gas including the gas containing the low vapor pressure material, and causing precursors generated from the low vapor pressure material and included in the plasma to be deposited in the recessed portion such that the organic film is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Michiko NAKAYA, Masanobu HONDA, Toru HISAMATSU, Masahiro TABATA
  • Publication number: 20180158684
    Abstract: A controllability of a size of a mask can be improved in a multi-patterning method. A process of forming a silicon oxide film on a first mask and an antireflection film is performed. In this process, plasma of a first gas including a silicon halide gas and plasma of a second gas including an oxygen gas are alternately generated. Then, a region of the silicon oxide film is removed such that only a region along a side wall of the first mask is left, and then, the first mask is removed and the antireflection film and an organic film is etched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIHARA, Toru HISAMATSU
  • Patent number: 9911622
    Abstract: Non-uniformity in a thickness of a silicon oxide film formed on a processing target object can be reduced even when an aspect ratio of an opening of a mask is increased. A silicon oxide film is formed by repeating a sequence including: (a) a first process of forming a reactant precursor on the processing target object by generating plasma of a first gas containing a silicon halide gas within a processing vessel of a plasma processing apparatus; (b) a second process of generating plasma of a rare gas within the processing vessel after the first process; (c) a third process of forming a silicon oxide film by generating plasma of a second gas containing an oxygen gas within the processing vessel after the second process; and (d) a fourth process of generating plasma of a rare gas within the processing vessel after the third process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Tomoyuki Oishi, Masanobu Honda
  • Patent number: 9911607
    Abstract: A controllability of a size of a mask can be improved in a multi-patterning method. A process of forming a silicon oxide film on a first mask and an antireflection film is performed. In this process, plasma of a first gas including a silicon halide gas and plasma of a second gas including an oxygen gas are alternately generated. Then, a region of the silicon oxide film is removed such that only a region along a side wall of the first mask is left, and then, the first mask is removed and the antireflection film and an organic film is etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 9859126
    Abstract: A method for processing a target object by using a capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus includes a first step of supplying a first gas containing a silicon-containing gas into the processing chamber where a target object is accommodated; a second step of generating a plasma of a rare gas in the processing chamber after executing the first step; a third step of generating a plasma of a second gas containing oxygen gas in the processing chamber after executing the second step; and a fourth step of generating a plasma of a rare gas in the processing chamber after executing the third step. A silicon oxide film is formed by repeatedly executing a sequence including the first step to the fourth step. A negative DC voltage is applied to the upper electrode in at least any one of the second step to the fourth step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Tomoyuki Oishi, Toru Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 9721766
    Abstract: A method for processing a target object includes a formation step of forming a silicon oxide film in a processing chamber by repeatedly executing a sequence including a first step of supplying a first gas containing aminosilane-based gas, a second step of purging a space in the processing chamber after the first step, a third step of generating a plasma of a second gas containing oxygen gas after the second step, and a fourth step of purging the space after the third step. The method further includes a preparation step executed before the target object is accommodated in the processing chamber and a processing step of performing an etching process on the target object. The preparation step is performed before the processing step. The formation step is performed in the preparation step and the processing step. In the first step, a plasma of the first gas is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masanobu Honda, Tomoyuki Oishi
  • Publication number: 20170098528
    Abstract: A method for processing a target object includes a formation step of forming a silicon oxide film in a processing chamber by repeatedly executing a sequence including a first step of supplying a first gas containing aminosilane-based gas, a second step of purging a space in the processing chamber after the first step, a third step of generating a plasma of a second gas containing oxygen gas after the second step, and a fourth step of purging the space after the third step. The method further includes a preparation step executed before the target object is accommodated in the processing chamber and a processing step of performing an etching process on the target object. The preparation step is performed before the processing step. The formation step is performed in the preparation step and the processing step. In the first step, a plasma of the first gas is not generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide KIHARA, Toru HISAMATSU, Masanobu HONDA, Tomoyuki OISHI
  • Patent number: 9607811
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a workpiece including a mask. The processing method includes: a first process of generating plasma of a first gas containing a silicon halide gas in a processing container of a plasma processing apparatus that accommodates a workpiece having a mask, to form a reactive precursor; a second process of purging a space in the processing container; a third process of generating plasma of a second gas containing oxygen gas in the processing container to form a silicon oxide film; and a fourth process of purging the space in the processing container. In the processing method, a sequence including the first to fourth processes is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kihara, Toru Hisamatsu, Masanobu Honda
  • Patent number: 9524876
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma etching method including a deposition process and an etching process. For a processing target object including a base layer and a photoresist having a predetermined pattern which are laminated in sequence, the deposition process deposits a protective layer including silicon and carbon on the photoresist of the processing target object by plasma of a first processing gas including silicon tetrachloride gas, methane gas, and hydrogen gas. The etching process etches the base layer by plasma of a second processing gas using the photoresist including the protective layer deposited thereon, as a mask. The second processing gas is different from the first processing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Toru Hisamatsu, Masanobu Honda