Patents Assigned to Applied Material
  • Patent number: 11282936
    Abstract: Embodiments provide apparatuses and methods for forming nanowire structures with desired materials horizontal gate-all-around (hGAA) structures field effect transistor (FET) for semiconductor chips. In one embodiments, a nanowire structure is provided and includes a stack containing repeating pairs of a first layer and a second layer and having a first side and a second side opposite from the first side, a gate structure surrounding the stack, a source layer adjacent to the first side, and a drain layer adjacent to the second side. The stack also contains one or more gaps disposed between the source layer and the second layer and having a dielectric constant value of about 1 and one or more gaps disposed between the drain layer and the second layer and having a dielectric constant value of about 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiyu Sun, Nam Sung Kim, Bingxi Sun Wood, Naomi Yoshida, Sheng-Chin Kung, Miao Jin
  • Patent number: 11279661
    Abstract: A heat treated ceramic article includes a ceramic substrate and a ceramic coating on the ceramic substrate. The ceramic coating is a non-sintered ceramic coating that has a different composition than the ceramic substrate. The heat treated ceramic article further includes a transition layer between the ceramic substrate and the ceramic coating, the transition layer comprising first elements from the ceramic coating that have reacted with second elements from the ceramic substrate, wherein the transition layer has a thickness of about 0.1 microns to about 5 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Y. Sun, Ren-Guan Duan, Biraja P. Kanungo, Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Patent number: 11280686
    Abstract: A method includes exposing a sample etalon-object to sample incident radiation, resulting in a sample transmitted radiation and sample reflected radiation; exposing a reference etalon-object to reference incident radiation, resulting in a reference transmitted radiation and reference reflected radiation; and analyzing resultant radiation for a heterodyned spectrum. The sample transmitted radiation may become the reference incident radiation, and the reference transmitted radiation may become the resultant radiation. The reference transmitted radiation may become the sample incident radiation, and the sample transmitted radiation may become the resultant radiation. The sample transmitted radiation may become the reference incident radiation, and the reference reflected radiation may become the resultant radiation. The reference transmitted radiation may become the sample incident radiation, and the sample reflected radiation may become the resultant radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Howells, Bruce E. Adams
  • Patent number: 11282755
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing system includes a metrology station having a sensor configured to measure a thickness profile of a substrate, a robotic arm configured to transfer the substrate from the metrology station to a polishing station having, a platen to support a polishing pad having a polishing surface, a carrier head on the polishing surface, the carrier head having a membrane configured to apply pressure to the substrate in the carrier head, and a controller configured to receive measurements from the sensor and configured to control the robotic arm to orient the substrate in the carrier head according to substrate profile and a removal profile for the carrier head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lau, Charles C. Garretson, Huanbo Zhang, Zhize Zhu
  • Patent number: 11284018
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a diagnostic substrate, comprising a baseplate, and a first plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the first plurality of image sensors are oriented horizontal to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a second plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the second plurality of image sensors are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) on the baseplate, and a controller on the baseplate, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the first plurality of image sensors and the second plurality of image sensors by the PCB. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a diffuser lid over the baseplate, the PCB, and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Philip Kraus, Keith Berding, Blake Erickson, Patrick Tae, Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Shivaraj Manjunath Nara, Anandakumar Parameshwarappa, Sivasankar Nagarajan, Dhirendra Kumar
  • Publication number: 20220081769
    Abstract: Methods for depositing metal-containing films on a substrate are described. The substrate is exposed to a metal precursor and an in situ steam generated oxidant to form the metal-containing film (e.g., metal oxide). The exposures can be sequential or simultaneous. An atomic layer deposition method is described that includes a forming gas anneal operation as part of the deposition method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendrick H. Chaney, Tatsuya E. Sato
  • Publication number: 20220082925
    Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks, methods for their manufacture and production systems therefor are disclosed. The EUV mask blanks comprise a multilayer stack of absorber layers on the capping layer, the multilayer stack of absorber layers including a plurality of absorber layer pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Vibhu Jindal
  • Publication number: 20220085238
    Abstract: Exemplary devices may include a substrate, a dielectric layer formed on the substrate, a first light source configured to emit first light characterized by a first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit second light characterized by a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a third light source configured to emit third light characterized by a third wavelength different from the first wavelength and the second wavelength. The first light source may be natively formed on a first region of the substrate and arranged within a first opening of the dielectric layer. The second light source may be natively formed on a second region of the substrate and arranged within a second opening of the dielectric layer. The third light source may be natively formed on a third region of the substrate and arranged within a third opening of the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Chudzik, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20220081765
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods to clean a substrate processing chamber are described. The methods may include depositing a dielectric film on a first substrate in a substrate processing chamber, where the dielectric film may include a silicon-carbon-oxide. The first substrate having the dielectric film may be removed from the substrate processing chamber, and the dielectric film may be deposited on at least one more substrate in the substrate processing chamber. The at least one more substrate may be removed from the substrate processing chamber after the dielectric film is deposited on the substrate. Etch plasma effluents may flow into the substrate processing chamber after the removal of a last substrate having the dielectric film. The etch plasma effluents may include greater than or about 500 sccm of NF3 plasma effluents, and greater than or about 1000 sccm of O2 plasma effluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia, Sure Ngo
  • Publication number: 20220087004
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method. An apparatus may include an RF power assembly, arranged to output an RF signal; a resonator, coupled to receive the RF signal, the resonator comprising a first output end and a second output end, and a drift tube assembly, configured to transmit an ion beam, and coupled to the resonator. As such, the drift tube assembly may include a first AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the first output end, and a second AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the second output end and separated from the first AC drift tube by a first gap. The RF power assembly may be switchable to switch output from a first Eigenmode frequency to a second Eigenmode frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, David T. Blahnik, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20220084796
    Abstract: A plasma source assembly for use with a substrate processing chamber is described. The assembly includes a spring which is disposed between electrodes and a dielectric ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Quoc Truong, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Robert B. Moore
  • Publication number: 20220084815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the semiconductor processing methods to form low-? films on semiconductor substrates are described. The processing methods may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-containing precursor that has at least one vinyl group. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma in the substrate processing region from the deposition precursors. A silicon-and-carbon-containing material, characterized by a dielectric constant (? value) less than or about 3.0, may be deposited on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20220084809
    Abstract: Methods for forming a SiBN film comprising depositing a film on a feature on a substrate. The method comprises in a first cycle, depositing a SiB layer on a substrate in a chamber using a chemical vapor deposition process, the substrate having at least one feature thereon, the at least one feature comprising an upper surface, a bottom surface and sidewalls, the SiB layer formed on the upper surface, the bottom surface and the sidewalls. In a second cycle, the SiB layer is treated with a plasma comprising a nitrogen-containing gas to form a conformal SiBN film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuanxi Yang, Hang Yu, Deenesh Padhi
  • Publication number: 20220084845
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include showerhead. The chambers may include a pedestal configured to support a semiconductor substrate, where the showerhead and pedestal at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor chamber. The chamber may include a spacer characterized by a first surface in contact with the showerhead and a second surface opposite the first surface. The chamber may include a pumping liner characterized by a first surface in contact with the spacer and a second surface opposite the first surface. The pumping liner may define a plurality of apertures within the first surface of the pumping liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Samartha Subramanya, Dmitry Lubomirsky, Mehmet Tugrul Samir, Lala Zhu, Martin Y. Choy, Son T. Nguyen, Pranav Gopal
  • Publication number: 20220084832
    Abstract: Exemplary etching methods may include flowing a fluorine-containing precursor and a hydrogen-containing precursor into a remote plasma region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The hydrogen-containing precursor may be flowed at a flow rate of at least 2:1 relative to the flow rate of the fluorine-containing precursor. The methods may include forming a plasma of the fluorine-containing precursor and the hydrogen-containing precursor to produce plasma effluents. The methods may include flowing the plasma effluents into a substrate processing region housing a substrate. The substrate may include an exposed region of a tantalum or titanium material and an exposed region of a silicon-containing material or a metal. The methods may include contacting the substrate with the plasma effluents. The methods may include removing the tantalum or titanium material selectively to the silicon-containing material or the metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenjiang Cui, Anchuan Wang
  • Patent number: 11275303
    Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks, methods for their manufacture and production systems therefor are disclosed. The EUV mask blanks comprise a substrate; a multilayer stack of reflective layers on the substrate; a capping layer on the multilayer stack of reflecting layers; and an absorber layer on the capping layer, the absorber layer made from copper and hafnium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Shuwei Liu, Vibhu Jindal
  • Patent number: 11276569
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to manufacturing layer stacks of oxide/nitride (ON) layers with minimized in-plane distortion (IPD) and lithographic overlay errors. A method of forming a layer stack ON layers includes flowing a first silicon-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a first dilution gas. A RF power is symmetrically applied to form a first material layer of SiO2. A second silicon-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, and a second dilution gas are flowed. A second RF power is symmetrically applied to form a second material layer of Si3N4. The flowing the first silicon-containing gas, the oxygen-containing gas, and the first dilution gas, the symmetrically applying the first RF power, the flowing the second silicon-containing gas, the nitrogen-containing gas, and the second dilution gas, and the symmetrically applying the second RF power is repeated until a desired number of first material layers and second material layers make up a layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjing Lin, Tza-Jing Gung, Masaki Ogata, Yusheng Zhou, Xinhai Han, Deenesh Padhi, Juan Carlos Rocha, Amit Kumar Bansal, Mukund Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11275300
    Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks, methods for their manufacture, and production systems therefor are disclosed. The method for forming an EUV mask blank comprises placing a substrate in a multi-cathode physical vapor deposition chamber, the chamber comprising at least three targets, a first molybdenum target adjacent a first side of a silicon target and a second molybdenum target adjacent a second side of the silicon target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Abhinand, Shuwei Liu, Hui Ni Grace Fong, Ke Chang, Vibhu Jindal
  • Patent number: 11275304
    Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blanks, methods for their manufacture and production systems therefor are disclosed. The EUV mask blanks comprise a substrate; a multilayer stack of reflective layers on the substrate; a capping layer on the multilayer stack of reflecting layers; and an absorber layer on the capping layer, the absorber layer made from boron and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Shuwei Liu, Vibhu Jindal
  • Patent number: 11276562
    Abstract: A system for modifying the uniformity pattern of a thin film deposited in a plasma processing chamber includes a single radio-frequency (RF) power source that is coupled to multiple points on the discharge electrode of the plasma processing chamber. Positioning of the multiple coupling points, a power distribution between the multiple coupling points, or a combination of both are selected to at least partially compensate for a consistent non-uniformity pattern of thin films produced by the chamber. The power distribution between the multiple coupling points may be produced by an appropriate RF phase difference between the RF power applied at each of the multiple coupling points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng John Ye, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Thuy Britcher, Jay D. Pinson, II, Hiroji Hanawa, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Kwangduk Douglas Lee, Martin Jay Seamons, Bok Hoen Kim, Sungwon Ha