Rotating, Repeated Dipping, Or Advancing Movement Of Substrate Patents (Class 216/91)
  • Publication number: 20120298396
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing method of a graphene fiber, a graphene fiber manufactured by the same method, and use thereof. The graphene fiber formed by using graphenes of linear pattern can be applied to various fields such as an electric wire and coaxial cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: VRYUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Hee HONG, Keun Soo KIM, Hyeong Keun KIM, Su Kang BAE
  • Patent number: 8257605
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing a coating film capable of stable treatment for removing unnecessary coating film at a substrate edge are provided. A substrate is clamped by approach stages from front and rear directions on a chuck, and fixed when accurate registration thereof is achieved. Then, the substrate edge is moved back and forth together with the chuck and the approach stage, so that the edge of the substrate is introduced in a space between an upper piece and a lower piece of a fixed arm portion. While the substrate is being moved, a solvent is fed from a nozzle portion onto a surface thereof and a purge gas is fed through a purge gas feeding pipe, so as to remove the coating film from the surface of the substrate by sucking and discharging the solvent and dissolved coating film through a discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Kobayashi, Norihisa Koga
  • Patent number: 8241769
    Abstract: A glass substrate for a magnetic disk, wherein, in regions with respect to two places arbitrarily selected on a surface of the glass substrate on its central portion side relative to its outer peripheral end, a surface shape with a shape wavelength in a band of 60 to 500 ?m is extracted from surface shapes in each of the regions and, assuming that a root mean square roughness Rq of the surface shape is given as a microwaviness Rq, the difference between the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.02 nm or less or the difference between standard deviations of the microwavinesses Rq of the regions is 0.04 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kitsunai, Takashi Maeda
  • Patent number: 8226841
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising alpha alumina, fumed alumina, silica, an oxidizing agent that oxidizes nickel-phosphorous, oxalic acid, optionally, tartaric acid, optionally, a nonionic surfactant, optionally, a biocide, and water. The invention also provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising contacting a substrate with a polishing pad and the chemical-mechanical polishing composition, moving the polishing pad and the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading at least a portion of the substrate to polish the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Selvaraj Palanisamy Chinnathambi, Haresh Siriwardane
  • Publication number: 20120067848
    Abstract: An exemplary wet processing apparatus includes a tank, a conveyor configured for conveying a substrate, and a spraying system. The tank receives a wet processing liquid. The conveyor includes a first conveying portion, a second conveying portion, and a third conveying portion. The first conveying portion is in the tank and conveys the substrate in the wet processing liquid. The second conveying portion is obliquely interconnected between the first and third conveying portions. The third conveying portion conveys the substrate above the wet processing liquid in the tank. The spraying system is above the third conveying portion, sprays the wet processing liquid onto the substrate on the third conveying portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FOXCONN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Chao-Wen LIN
  • Patent number: 8137576
    Abstract: A method for developing a substrate includes a developing step for supplying a developer to the substrate, and a neutralizing and removing step for supplying a treating solution containing a neutralizing material to the substrate to neutralize the developer, and neutralizing the developer and removing the developer from the substrate. In the neutralizing and removing step, the developer is neutralized by the treating solution. This neutralization reaction forms a product (salt) which easily melts into the treating solution and does not precipitate. Thus, the product is removable from the substrate along with the treating solution. Therefore, the developer is inhibited from remaining on the substrate. As a result, it is possible to prevent post-develop defects due to “residues of the developer” or the developer remaining on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Harumoto, Akira Yamaguchi, Akihiro Hisai
  • Patent number: 8105498
    Abstract: A method for fabricating micromachined structures is provided. A structure including a dielectric layer, a metal layer and a passivation layer is formed, wherein the dielectric layer has a via thereon. An etching window is formed on the passivation layer. An etching solution is poured into the via through the etching window to perform a process of etching. After etching, the etching solution is removed and the passivation layer is removed. Finally, the structure is etched again to form the micromachined structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chuanwei Wang, Ming Han Tsai, Chih Ming Sun, Weileun Fang
  • Patent number: 8075791
    Abstract: A chemical treatment apparatus and a method for performing a chemical treatment of a wafer, etc., by supplying a chemical via a cell. The apparatus includes a cylindrical inner cell and a cylindrical outer cell with open ends disposed at an outer circumference of the inner cell. The outer cell is axially movable to vary the width of a slit formed between a bottom end of the outer cell and a top surface of the substrate-holding means by the axial movement, thereby adjusting the discharge rate of the chemical and varying the pressure of the chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tomari
  • Patent number: 8021566
    Abstract: An apparatus and method suitable for the pre-conditioning of a polishing pad on a CMP apparatus prior to the polishing of production wafers on the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pre-conditioning arm on which is mounted an ingot of suitable material. In use, the ingot is pressed against the polishing surface of the rotating polishing pad for a selected period of time to increase the temperature of the polishing surface by friction. The pre-conditioned polishing pad facilitates uniform polishing rates of production semiconductor wafers subsequently polished on the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Che Chuang, Wen-Chih Chiou, Hsin-Hsien Lu, Liang-Guang Chen
  • Patent number: 7955521
    Abstract: Provided are an etchant, a method for fabricating a wire using the etchant, and a method for fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate using the etchant. The etchant includes a material having the formula 1, ammonium acetic acid, and the remainder of deionized water, wherein the formula 1 is expressed by: M(OH)XLY??(1) where M indicates Zn, Sn, Cr, Al, Ba, Fe, Ti, Si, or B, X indicates 2 or 3, L indicates H2O, NH3, CN, COR, or NH2R, Y indicates 0, 1, 2, or 3, and R indicates an alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-sick Park, Shi-yul Kim, Jong-hyun Choung, Won-suk Shin
  • Patent number: 7951300
    Abstract: Methods for wafer-scale fabrication of needle arrays can include mechanically modifying a wafer to produce a plurality of vertically-extending columns. The columns are etched to round and reshape the columns into substantially uniformly shaped needles. Needle arrays having needle width non-uniformity of less than about 3% and length non-uniformity of less than about 2% can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajmohan Bhandari, Sandeep Negi, Florian Solzbacher, Richard A. Normann
  • Patent number: 7884028
    Abstract: A method of removing material layer is disclosed. First, a semiconductor substrate is fixed on a rotating platform, where a remnant material layer is included on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Afterward, an etching process is carried out. In the etching process, the rotating platform is rotated, and an etching solution is sprayed from a center region and a side region of the rotating platform toward the semiconductor substrate until the material layer is removed. Since the semiconductor substrate is etched by the etching solution sprayed from both the center region and the side region of the rotating platform, the etching uniformity of the semiconductor substrate is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Wei Chen, Chun-Chieh Chang, Tzung-Yu Hung, Yu-Lan Chang, Chao-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7833428
    Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for producing a porous material, such as nano-porous silicon (npSi) media suitable for storage and retrieval of elemental hydrogen. Processes of this invention generally entail applying a magnetic field to a substrate that contains charge carriers and is in contact with an etchant, and then etching the substrate with the etchant while relative movement occurs between the substrate and the magnetic field. During etching, the charge carriers move relative to the substrate and the magnetic field, and porosity forms at surfaces of the substrate contacting the etchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Packer Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Christenson, Peter J. Schubert
  • Patent number: 7833908
    Abstract: A slurry composition for chemical-mechanical polishing capable of compensating nanotopography effect present on the surface of a wafer, and a method for planarizing the surface of a semiconductor device that utilizes the same are disclosed. The slurry composition of the present invention is aimed at compensating the nanotopography effect during chemical mechanical polishing process of the oxide layer formed on the surface of the wafer, and contains abrasive particles and an additive, wherein the size of the abrasive particles and the concentration of the additive are controlled within predetermined ranges in order to control the deviation of thickness (OTD) of the oxide layer below a certain level after the chemical mechanical polishing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Sumco Corporation, Hanyang Hak Won Co.
    Inventors: Jea Gun Park, Takeo Katoh, Won Mo Lee, Hyun Goo Kang, Sung Jun Kim, Un Gyu Paik
  • Patent number: 7807066
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a perforated porous resin substrate, the method including the following steps: Step 1 of forming at least one perforation penetrating in the thickness direction from a first surface to a second surface in a porous resin substrate made of a resin material containing a fluoropolymer; Step 2 of etching treatment conducted by putting an etchant containing an alkali metal in contact with the wall face of each perforation; and Step 3 of putting an oxidizable compound or a solution thereof in contact with a degenerative layer generated by the etching treatment, and thereby removing the degenerative layer. A method of manufacturing a porous resin substrate in which electrical conductivity is afforded to the wall face of the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayo Uenoyama, Yasuhiro Okuda, Fumihiro Hayashi, Taro Fujita, Yasuhito Masuda, Yuichi Idomoto
  • Patent number: 7790046
    Abstract: A method of texturing a surface of a magnetic hard disk substrate includes the steps of rotating the magnetic hard disk substrate, supplying polishing slurry on the surface of the substrate, and pressing a polishing tape on the substrate surface and running the polishing tape. The polishing slurry includes abrading particles of monocrystalline diamond that are cluster particles with corners having diameters in the range of 1-10 nm, dispersed in a dispersant such as water and a water-based aqueous solution. The cluster particles are tasseled assemblies of crystalline particles with no directionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: NIHON Micro Coating Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Horie, Hiromitsu Okuyama, Tatsuya Tanifuji
  • Patent number: 7759252
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of two-step backside-etching. First, a substrate with a plurality of hard masks is provided. Next, the back and the edge of the substrate are backside-etched to remove parts of the hard masks on the back and the edge of the substrate. Then, the hard masks and the substrate are patterned in sequence to form a plurality of trenches in the substrate. Finally, before performing a wet bath step, the edge of the substrate is backside-etched to remove needle structures on the edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Promos Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yeng-Peng Wang
  • Patent number: 7691280
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for ink jet printing of etchant or modifier materials for creating patterns, particularly for electronics and display applications. The present invention also relates to devices made using the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Waldrop, Steven Dale Ittel, Howard E. Simmons, III
  • Patent number: 7662301
    Abstract: A method of producing a free standing structure, the method comprising: providing a substrate having a raised pattern formed on a surface of said substrate, said raised pattern comprising at least one material which forms said surface; depositing material over said raised pattern; and dissolving said substrate to release said deposited material to form said free standing structure from said released deposited material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Carl E. Norman
  • Patent number: 7648890
    Abstract: A process for producing a silicon wafer comprising a single-wafer etching step of performing an etching by supplying an etching solution through a supplying-nozzle to a surface of a single and a thin-discal wafer obtained by slicing a silicon single crystal ingot and rotating the wafer to spread the etching solution over all the surface of the wafer; and a grinding step of grinding the surface of the wafer, in this order, wherein the etching solution used in the single-wafer etching step is an aqueous acid solution which contains hydrogen fluoride, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid in an amount such that the content of which by weight % at a mixing rate of fluoric acid:nitric acid:phosphoric acid is 0.5 to 40%:5 to 50%:5 to 70%, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventors: Sakae Koyata, Tomohiro Hashii, Katsuhiko Murayama, Kazushige Takaishi, Takeo Katoh
  • Patent number: 7598110
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor may include at least one of the following steps: Forming a salicide blocking layer on an entire surface of a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode area and a transistor. Forming a photoresist pattern inclined at an angle less 90° (e.g. between approximately 70° and approximately 80°) on and/or over a non-salicide area. Performing wet-etching on the salicide blocking layer using the photoresist pattern as an etching mask. Forming salicide on the salicide area after removing the photoresist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jea-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 7494597
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for etching disk-shaped members, especially a method and apparatus for etching semiconductor wafers. In a method wherein wafers (30) are rotated and etched in an etching chamber (12) which is filled with an etching solution, a non-rotating cell plate (26) is disposed between two rotating wafers (30). In an etching apparatus wherein multiple wafers (30) are supported and rotated by a rod (16), the cell plate (26) is disposed between each two wafers (30). The cell plate (26) has a surface area roughly equivalent to that of the wafer (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sumco Techxiv Corporation
    Inventors: Tadamitsu Miyazaki, Kazuya Hirayama, Hisaya Fukunaga, Hiroyasu Futamura
  • Publication number: 20080296262
    Abstract: A simple process is disclosed for treating substrates having pre-structured zinc oxide layers on rigid or flexible supports. The ZnO is treated with an etching medium then with a cleaning liquid. The treatment with the etching and cleaning liquids is carried out while the substrate is conveyed through a device. The process is technically simple to implement and makes it possible to regularly and homogeneously roughen and texturise ZnO layers of up to 1 m2. The device for treating substrates having pre-structured zinc oxide layers on rigid or flexible supports has for that purpose a first means for treating the substrate with an etching liquid, a second means for treating the substrate with a cleaning liquid, and another means, in particular transport rollers, for conveying the substrate from the first to the second means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Joachim Muller, Gunnar Schope, Hildegard Siekmann, Bernd Rech, Tobias Repmann, Wolfgang Apenzeller, Brigitte Sehrbrock
  • Patent number: 7449124
    Abstract: A method for polishing a wafer comprising an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of 6 to 8, wherein the aqueous solution comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a polymethacrylic acid, a polysulfonic acid, and combinations thereof, and wherein the compound is present in the range of 1.5 to 4 percent by weight of the aqueous solution. The wafer polishing solution can be adjusted to control cut rate and selectivity for modifying semiconductor wafers using a fixed abrasive CMP process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Webb, John C. Clark, Christopher J. Rueb, John J. Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 7446051
    Abstract: Silicon (12) is etched through a mask (11) comprising a layer of organic resin material (such as novolac) through which openings (32) are formed in the areas to be etched. The layer of organic resin is first deposited over a free surface of the device to be etched. The openings (32) are then formed by depositing droplets of a caustic etchant such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) with an inkjet printer. The etchant reacts with the resin to expose the silicon surface in areas to be etched. The etching of the silicon surface is performed by applying a dilute solution of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) to the exposed surface through the openings in the mask to etch the silicon to a desired depth (83).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: CSG Solar AG
    Inventor: Trevor Lindsay Young
  • Patent number: 7442319
    Abstract: The use of an ammonium hydroxide spike to a hot tetra methyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution to form an insitu poly oxide decapping step in a polysilicon (poly) etch process, results in a single step rapid poly etch process having uniform etch initiation and a high etch selectivity, that may be used in manufacturing a variety of electronic devices such as integrated circuits (ICs) and micro electro-mechanical (MEM) devices. The etching solution is formed by adding 35% ammonium hydroxide solution to a hot 12.5% TMAH solution at about 70° C. at a rate of 1% by volume, every hour. Such an etch solution and method provides a simple, inexpensive, single step self initiating poly etch that has etch stop ratios of over 200 to 1 over underlying insulator layers and TiN layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Shea
  • Patent number: 7398598
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper and/or degree of sharpness. The process involves the steps of (a) forming helical cutting edges in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (b) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to sharpen and/or taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy. The cutting edges may be formed by torsioning, cutting, grinding, machining, laser micromachining, or grit blasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lewis, Barry L. Hobson, Dan E. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7390423
    Abstract: A self-cleaning colloidal slurry and process for finishing a surface of a glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic, metal or alloy substrate for use in a data storage device, for example. The slurry comprises a carrying fluid, colloidal particles, etchant, and a surfactant adsorbed and/or precipitated onto a surface of the colloidal particles and/or substrate. The surfactant has a hydrophobic section that forms a steric hindrance barrier and substantially prevents contaminates, including colloidal particles, from bonding to the substrate surface. The slurry is applied to the surface of the substrate while a pad mechanically rubs the surface. Subsequent cleaning with standard soap solutions removes substantially all remaining contamination from the substrate surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the slurry is used to superfinish a glass disk substrate to a surface roughness of less than 2 ?, with substantially no surface contamination as seen by atomic force microscopy (AFM) after standard soap cleaning steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick Paul Benning, James A. Hagan, Steven L. Maynard, David C. Paurus, Douglas Howard Piltingsrud, Jon Edward Podolske
  • Patent number: 7387963
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer has an edge region with no defects larger than or equal to 0.3 ?m. The wafers are produced by a process, comprising (a) providing a semiconductor wafer having a rounded and etched edge; (b) polishing the edge of the semiconductor wafer, in which step the semiconductor wafer, which is held on a centrally rotating chuck and projects beyond the chuck and at least one polishing drum which is inclined by a specific angle with respect to the chuck, rotates centrally and is covered with a polishing cloth, are moved toward one another and pressed onto one another under a specific contact pressure with a polishing abrasive being supplied continuously; (c) cleaning the semiconductor wafer; (d) inspecting an edge region of the semiconductor wafer using an inspection unit; and (e) further processing the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Siltronic AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Rupp, Werner Aigner, Friedrich Passek
  • Patent number: 7377836
    Abstract: Methods of refining using a plurality of refining elements are discussed. A refining apparatus having refining elements that can be smaller than the workpiece being refined are disclosed. New refining methods, refining apparatus, and refining elements disclosed. Methods of refining using frictional refining, chemical refining, tribochemical refining, and electrochemical refining and combinations thereof are disclosed. A refining apparatus having magnetically responsive refining elements that can be smaller than the workpiece being refined are disclosed. The refining apparatus can supply a parallel refining motion to the refining element(s) for example through magnetic coupling forces. The refining apparatus can supply multiple different parallel refining motions to multiple different refining elements for example solely through magnetic coupling forces to improve refining quality and versatility. A refining chamber can be used. New methods of control are refining disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Beaver Creek Concepts Inc
    Inventor: Charles J. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7364666
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making flexible circuits in which portions of a tie layer are removed by etching the underlying polymer. Also disclosed are flexible circuits made by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sridhar V. Dasaratha, James S. McHattie, James R. Shirck, Hideo Yamazaki, Yuji Hiroshige, Makoto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7357878
    Abstract: Provided are an etchant, a method for fabricating a wire using the etchant, and a method for fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate using the etchant. The etchant includes a material having the formula 1, ammonium acetic acid, and the remainder of deionized water, wherein the formula 1 is expressed by: M(OH)XLY??(1) where M indicates Zn, Sn, Cr, Al, Ba, Fe, Ti, Si, or B, X indicates 2 or 3, L indicates H2O, NH3, CN, COR, or NH2R, Y indicates 0, 1, 2, or 3, and R indicates an alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-sick Park, Shi-yul Kim, Jong-hyun Choung, Won-suk Shin
  • Patent number: 7357875
    Abstract: A system and method for providing corrosion protection for a magnetic read/write head is disclosed. A monolayer surface coating is applied to cover those portions of the under layer of a magnetic read/write head not already covered by a previously applied diamond-like coating. This allows for a thinner diamond like coating than previously applied in the art. The monolayer surface coating can be a self-assembled monolayer, such as an organosilicon for hydroxylated surfaces or carboxylic acids for aluminum or other metal oxides. Alternatively, the monolayer surface coating can be directly applied to the under layer with no diamond-like coating being present. The monolayer surface coating can be applied by a surface immersion process or by a vacuum coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhu Feng, Ellis Cha
  • Patent number: 7354527
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing pad which has a storage elastic modulus E?(30° C.) at 30° C. of 120 MPa or less and an (E?(30° C.)/E?(60° C.)) ratio of the storage elastic modulus E?(30° C.) at 30° C. to the storage elastic modulus E?(60° C.) at 60° C. of 2.5 or more when the storage elastic moduli of a polishing substrate at 30° C. and 60° C. are measured under the following conditions: initial load: 100 g maximum bias: 0.01 % frequency: 0.2 Hz. A chemical mechanical polishing process makes use of the above chemical mechanical polishing pad. The chemical mechanical polishing pad can suppress the production of a scratch on the polished surface in the chemical mechanical polishing step and can provide a high-quality polished surface, and the chemical mechanical polishing process provides a high-quality polished surface by using the chemical mechanical polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tano, Hideki Nishimura, Hiroshi Shiho
  • Patent number: 7351642
    Abstract: A process and method for compensating for a radial non-uniformity on a wafer that includes the steps of: centering a rotational thickness non-uniformity of a film on the wafer about the axis of the spin susceptor following a CMP process; positioning a nozzle in the spin processing unit to direct the etching solution along a radius of the wafer; adjusting the flow of the etching solution from the nozzle; adjusting the rotational speed of the spin susceptor to control the residence time of the etching solution; and coordinating the rotational speed of the spin susceptor, flow of etching solution and positioning of the nozzle to maximize the removal of material. The process may be utilized to compensate for the bowl-shaped non-uniformities of an STI oxide. These non-uniformities are compensated for and addressed after a CMP process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Richmond, LP
    Inventors: Walter Hartner, Joseph Page, Jonathan Davis
  • Patent number: 7329366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of polishing an implantable medical device. The method may include positioning an implantable medical device on a support. At least a portion of a surface of the implantable medical device may include a polymer. A fluid may be contacted with at least a portion of the surface of the positioned implantable medical device. In an embodiment, the fluid may be capable of dissolving at least a portion of the polymer at or near the surface of the implantable medical device. The method may further include allowing the fluid to modify at least a portion of the surface of the positioned medical device. A majority of the contacted fluid may be removed from the surface of the implantable medical device. In certain embodiments, the modified portion of the surface may be substantially less thrombogenetic and substantially more mechanically stable than an unmodified surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Gale, Syed F. A. Hossainy
  • Patent number: 7326359
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a continuos process for the partial demetallization of a first multilayer substrate, comprising at least one metallic layer 21, characterized in that a designed lacquer comprising at least one metal dissolving etchant 25 locally reacts with said metallic layer 21 and that the dissolved metal remains within said multilayer structure and that the dissolution of the metal allows the creation of a window in said metallic layer without the necessity of a washing step and in that said partial demetallization is suitable to be carried out on standard gravure or flexo printing presses or coating equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Amcor Flexibles Europe A/S
    Inventors: Henk Heylbroeck, Mark Vints
  • Patent number: 7314575
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk comprises mirror surface polishing and cleaning of a glass substrate, wherein polishing agent of which the principal component is rare-earth oxide with content of fluorine 5% by weight or less, is supplied to the glass substrate, the surface of the glass substrate is subjected to mirror surface polishing by relatively moving the polishing cloth and the glass substrate, then this glass substrate is brought into contact with a cleaning solution including ascorbic acid, fluorine ion, and sulfuric acid of 3% by weight or more, and the polishing agent is dissolved and removed. The concentration of the ascorbic acid included in the cleaning solution is 0.1% by weight or more, and the content of the fluorine ion is 1 ppm to 40 ppm. At least a magnetic layer is formed on the obtained glass substrate to manufacture a magnetic disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignees: Hoya Corporation, Hoya Glass Disk (thailand) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Marumo, Intanon Sitalaphruek
  • Patent number: 7182821
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing method including a substrate rotating step for rotating a substrate with the substrate held almost horizontally within a chamber; a peripheral edge processing step for discharging a processing liquid to a lower surface of the substrate rotated in the substrate rotating step and causing the processing liquid to flow around an upper surface of the substrate at a peripheral edge thereof from the lower surface of the substrate to process the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the substrate in the chamber; and a both-surface processing step for discharging the processing liquid to both the surfaces of the substrate rotated in the substrate rotating step to process both the surfaces of the substrate in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Izumi, Katsuhiko Miya
  • Patent number: 7159298
    Abstract: A thin and flexible radio frequency (RF) antenna tag or label is disclosed which contains an RF circuit connected to an antenna which is created by demetallizing the area around the antenna pattern on a thin, metallized substrate such as a film or paper web. Antenna(s) may be formed on one or both sides of the substrate and can contain printed, holographic, optical variable device, diffractive, dot matrix, computer-generated holograms or computer-generated optical images. The demetallized RF antenna on the substrate can optionally further be transferred to a second substrate or web by means of a cold foil stamping process. The tag or label is thin and flexible, enabling a wide range of applications including RF tagging of anti-theft devices, product packaging of all types, credit cards, passports, admission tickets, stamps, vehicles, badges, fare cards, roadway tolls, customs and immigration checkpoints identification, and animal identification/tracking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel Lieberman
  • Patent number: 7091132
    Abstract: An ultrasonic etching apparatus for chemically-etching a workpiece is disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer tank at least partially filled with an aqueous solution, an inner tank at least partially disposed within the outer tank and in contact with aqueous solution, the inner tank at least partially filled with an etching solution, a lid engaged with the mouth of said inner tank; and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the outer tank to impart ultrasonic energy to the etching solution in said inner tank. Also disclosed are methods of using the apparatus to etch workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Samantha Tan, Ning Chen
  • Patent number: 7056447
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for removing organic materials from substrates, for example substrates employed in the fabrication of integrated circuits, liquid crystal displays and the like. Such embodiments also provide for forming self-limiting oxide layers on oxidizable materials disposed on such substrates where such materials are exposed to the methods of the present invention. The methods of the present invention provide for contacting substrates with a solution of ozone, water and a surfactant, the solution being effective for removing organic materials and forming self-limiting oxide layers on oxidizable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Gilton
  • Patent number: 6968619
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper. The process involves the steps of (a) providing a metallic rod having a cutting portion with a polygonal cross section; (b) torsioning the rod so as to form helical cutting surfaces in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (c) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lewis, Barry L. Hobson
  • Patent number: 6936183
    Abstract: A two-step method of releasing microelectromechanical devices from a substrate is disclosed. The first step comprises isotropically etching a silicon oxide layer sandwiched between two silicon-containing layers with a gaseous hydrogen fluoride-water mixture, the overlying silicon layer to be separated from the underlying silicon layer or substrate for a time sufficient to form an opening but not to release the overlying layer, and the second step comprises adding a drying agent to substitute for moisture remaining in the opening and to dissolve away any residues in the opening that can cause stiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Chinn, Sofiane Soukane
  • Patent number: 6899818
    Abstract: A method and composition for removing sodium-containing materials such as photoresist from microcircuit substrate material utilizes 1,2-Diaminocyclohexanetetracarboxylic Acid in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventor: George Schwartzkopf
  • Patent number: 6867138
    Abstract: The surface of a semiconductor device is polished by first supplying a polishing pad with a slurry that contains a solvent, abrasive grains, and an additive for making the viscosity of the slurry variable so that the top portion of the polishing pad is soaked with the slurry, then supplying the polishing pad with a viscosity modifier for increasing the viscosity of the slurry and hardening the top portion of the polishing pad soaked with the slurry, and finally polishing the surface of the semiconductor device with the slurry having its viscosity increased and the polishing pad having its top portion hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoto Miyashita, Takeshi Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6861007
    Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for removing organic materials from substrates, for example substrates employed in the fabrication of integrated circuits, liquid crystal displays and the like. Such embodiments also provide for forming self-limiting oxide layers on oxidizable materials disposed on such substrates where such materials are exposed to the methods of the present invention. The methods of the present invention provide for contacting substrates with a solution of ozone, water and a surfactant, the solution being effective for removing organic materials and forming self-limiting oxide layers on oxidizable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Gilton
  • Patent number: 6841083
    Abstract: A device for scouring a coating from a fibrous material includes a tank for immersing a plurality of fibers in scouring solvent therein. The device also includes a bubbling device positioned therein and having a chamber formed between a base plate and a cover plate with a plurality of holes. The plurality of fibers is mounted within the tank above the cover plate and holes of the bubbling device, so that gas bubbles produced thereby move through the scouring solvent and through the plurality of fibers. The holes are arranged in a pattern on the cover plate that corresponds to a shape assumed by the plurality of fibers when mounted within the tank. A process for scouring a coating from a fibrous material is also disclosed and involves immersing a plurality of fibers in a scouring solvent and producing a plurality of gas bubbles that move through the solvent and the plurality of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Scalzo, Margaret D'Aversa, Royce Frederick
  • Patent number: 6802911
    Abstract: A method of cleaning damaged layers and polymer residue on semiconductor devices includes mixing HF and ozone water in a vessel to form a solution of HF and ozone water, and dipping a semiconductor device in the vessel containing the solution of HF and ozone water. Preferably, ozone water is subsequently introduced into the vessel to replace the solution of HF and ozone water in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keum Joo Lee, Yong Sun Ko, In Seak Hwang
  • Patent number: 6785955
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a writer is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first pole, an insulator covering a portion of the first pole and a coil on the first insulator. The coil includes a plurality of turns. The method and system also include providing a second insulator covering the coil, providing a second pole on the second insulator and providing a write gap separating a portion of the first pole from a second portion of the second pole. A first portion of the second pole is coupled with the first pole. In one aspect, the method and system include providing a coil having a plurality of turns with a pitch of no more than 1.2 micrometers. In another aspect, the plurality of turns of the coil is provided using a hard mask layer on a photoresist layer. A portion of the hard mask layer and a portion of the photoresist layer define a plurality of spaces between the pluralities of turns of the coil. In another aspect, the writer is a pedestal defined zero throat writer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjian Chen, Hugh Craig Hiner, Benjamin Chen, Xizeng Shi, Kyusik Sin