Patents Assigned to Applied Material
  • Publication number: 20200272047
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to nanocomposite pellicles for extreme ultraviolet lithography systems. A pellicle comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes arranged in a planar sheet formed from a plurality of metal catalyst droplets. The plurality of carbon nanotubes are coated in a first conformal layer of boron nitride. The pellicle may comprise a plurality of boron nitride nanotubes formed simultaneously as the first conformal layer of boron nitride. The pellicle may comprise a carbon nanotube coating disposed on the first conformal layer of boron nitride and a second conformal layer of boron nitride or boron nitride nanotubes disposed on the carbon nanotube coating. The pellicle is UV transparent and is non-reactive in hydrogen radical environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukti CHATTERJEE, Yuriy MELNIK, Pravin K. NARWANKAR
  • Patent number: 10757797
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma source, an abatement system and a vacuum processing system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. In one embodiment, a plasma source includes a dielectric tube and a coil antenna surrounding the tube. The coil antenna includes a plurality of turns, and at least one turn is shorted. Selectively shorting one or more turns of the coil antenna helps reduce the inductance of the coil antenna, allowing higher power to be supplied to the coil antenna that covers more processing volume. Higher power supplied to the coil antenna and larger processing volume lead to an improved DRE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongping Wang, Jibing Zeng, David Muquing Hou, Michael S. Cox, Zheng Yuan, James L'Heureux
  • Patent number: 10755903
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a remote plasma source includes supplying a first cycle of one or more first cleaning gases to a remote plasma source. The method includes supplying a second cycle of one or more second cleaning gases to the remote plasma source. The method includes supplying one or more cooling fluids to one or more cooling conduits coupled with the remote plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidharth Bhatia, Zhili Zuo, Hidehiro Kojiri, Anjana M. Patel, Song-Moon Suh, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10756259
    Abstract: The bottom-pinned spin-orbit torque (SOT) MRAM devices are fabricated to form high quality interfaces between layers including the spin-orbit torque (SOT) layer and the free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) by forming those layers under vacuum, without breaking vacuum in between formation of the layers. An encapsulation layer is used as an etch stop and to protect the free layer. The encapsulation layer is etched back prior to the deposition of a metal layer. The metal layer forms a plurality of metal lines that are electrically connected to two or more sides of the SOT layer and are electrically coupled to the SOT layer to transfer current through the SOT layer. The metal lines are not in contact with a top surface of the SOT layer which has a dielectric layer disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaesoo Ahn, Chando Park, Hsin-wei Tseng, Lin Xue, Mahendra Pakala
  • Patent number: 10754252
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. In one embodiment, a major axis of the processing volume is oriented vertically and a minor axis of the processing volume is oriented horizontally. One or more electrodes may be disposed adjacent the processing volume and at least partially define the processing volume. Process fluid is provided to the processing volume via a plurality of fluid conduits to facilitate immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. A plurality of seals maintains the fluid containment integrity of the processing volume during processing. A post process chamber for rinsing, developing, and drying a substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle M. Hanson, Gregory J. Wilson, Viachslav Babayan
  • Patent number: 10755941
    Abstract: Exemplary etching methods may include flowing a hydrogen-containing precursor into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a fluorine-containing precursor into the substrate processing region. The methods may include contacting a substrate housed in the substrate processing region with the hydrogen-containing precursor and the fluorine-containing precursor. The substrate may define a trench, and a layer of an oxygen-containing material may be disposed within the trench and exposed on the substrate. The methods may include halting delivery of the hydrogen-containing precursor. The methods may also include removing the oxygen-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Chen, Chia-Ling Kao, Anchuan Wang, Nitin Ingle
  • Patent number: 10755947
    Abstract: Processing methods comprising etching a metal nitride layer with an etchant. The etchant can be, for example, WCl5, WOCl4 or TaCl5. Methods of improving the selectivity of etch processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyu Zhang, Yixiong Yang, Mario D. Sanchez, Guoqiang Jian, Wei V. Tang, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 10752649
    Abstract: Metal coordination complexes comprising at least one diazabutadiene based ligand having a structure represented by: where R1 and R4 are selected from the group consisting of C4-C10 alkyl groups; and R2 and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C6 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl groups and the difference in the number of carbons in R2 and R3 is greater than or equal to 2. Processing methods using the metal coordination complexes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Anthis, Atashi Basu, David Thompson, Nasrin Kazem
  • Patent number: 10752990
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying a gas to a processing chamber are described. The apparatus comprises an inlet line and an outlet line, each with two valves, in fluid communication an ampoule. A bypass line connects the inlet valve and outlet valve closest to the ampoule. The apparatus and methods of use allow a precursor residue to be removed from the delivery lines of a processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Daping Yao, Kenric Choi, Xiaoxiong Yuan, Jiang Lu, Can Xu, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 10755955
    Abstract: A substrate processing system is disclosed which includes a substrate input/output chamber coupled to a transfer chamber, and one or more processing chambers coupled to the transfer chamber, wherein the substrate input/output chamber includes a plurality of stacked carrier holders, and a platen, wherein the platen includes a plurality of alignment pads and a plurality of openings formed in a recessed flange along a peripheral edge of the platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Masato Ishii, Richard O. Collins, Richard Giljum, Alexander Berger
  • Publication number: 20200266039
    Abstract: Physical vapor deposition target assemblies and methods of manufacturing such target assemblies are disclosed. An exemplary target assembly comprises a flow pattern including a plurality of arcs and bends fluidly connected to an inlet end and an outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Bhat, Vibhu Jindal, Vishwas Kumar Pandey
  • Publication number: 20200263301
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor processing apparatus. The processing chamber includes a chamber body and lid defining an interior volume, a substrate support disposed in the interior volume and a showerhead assembly disposed between the lid and the substrate support. The showerhead assembly includes a faceplate configured to deliver a process gas to a processing region defined between the showerhead assembly and the substrate support and an underplate positioned above the faceplate, defining a first plenum between the lid and the underplate, the having multiple zones, wherein each zone has a plurality of openings that are configured to pass an amount of inert gas from the first plenum into a second plenum defined between the faceplate and the underplate, in fluid communication with the plurality of openings of each zone such that the inert gas mixes with the process gas before exiting the showerhead assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Kumar BANSAL, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ, Sanjeev BALUJA, Sam H. KIM, Tuan Anh NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20200266202
    Abstract: Methods of forming 3D NAND devices are discussed. Some embodiments form 3D NAND devices with a control gate and a floating gate disposed between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer. A conformal blocking liner surrounds the floating gate and electrically isolates the control gate from the floating gate. Some embodiments form 3D NAND devices with decreased vertical and/or later pitch between cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Kwon, Xinhai Han
  • Publication number: 20200264514
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to photolithography systems, and methods for correcting positional errors in photolithography systems. When a photolithography system is first started, the system enters a stabilization period. During the stabilization period, positional readings and data, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity data, are collected as the system prints or exposes a substrate. A model is created based on the collected data and the positional readings. The model is then used to estimate errors in subsequent stabilization periods, and the estimated errors are dynamically corrected during the subsequent stabilization periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamer COSKUN, Muhammet POYRAZ, Qin ZHONG, Pacha MONGKOLWONGROJN
  • Patent number: 10744618
    Abstract: A polishing article has a polishing surface and an aperture, the aperture including a first section and a second section. The polishing article includes a projection extending inwardly into the aperture. The polishing article includes a lower portion on a side of the first surface farther from the polishing surface. A window has a first portion positioned in the first section of the aperture and a second portion extending into the second section of the aperture. The window has a second surface substantially parallel to the polishing surface. A first adhesive adheres the first surface of the projection to the second surface of the window to secure the window to the projection and a second adhesive of different material composition than the first adhesive. The second adhesive is positioned laterally between the second portion of the window and the lower portion of the polishing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajkumar Alagarsamy, Yongqi Hu, Simon Yavelberg, Periya Gopalan, Christopher R. Mahon
  • Patent number: 10748745
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular microwave source. In an embodiment, the modular microwave source comprises a voltage control circuit, a voltage controlled oscillator, where an output voltage from the voltage control circuit drives oscillation in the voltage controlled oscillator. The modular microwave source may also include a solid state microwave amplification module coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, the solid state microwave amplification module amplifies an output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The modular microwave source may also include an applicator coupled to the solid state microwave amplification module, where the applicator is a dielectric resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Patent number: 10748738
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for increasing efficiency of ion sources. In some embodiments, an apparatus, such as an ion source, may include a chamber housing having a first end wall and a second end wall, and an extraction plate coupled to at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall. The extraction plate may include an extraction aperture. The apparatus may further include a tubular cathode extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Svetlana Radovanov, Frank Sinclair, You Chia Li, Peter Ewing, Ajdin Sarajlic, Christopher A. Rowland, Nunzio Carbone
  • Patent number: 10745283
    Abstract: A method for producing an additive for reclaiming oil from a fluid product stream and a treated silica with controlled hydrophobicity for use in the method are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing silica or silicate with a particle size of between 3.0 ?m to 20 ?m, the silica or silicates having an agglomerate size of between 10 ?m to 100 ?m and being chosen to achieve the desired particle-size range and with a controlled level of hydrophobicity; treating the silica or silicate with a silicone or silane to make it hydrophobic; and controlling the hydrophobicity of the silica or silicate by varying the temperature and treatment time of the silica or silicate, amount of a treating material used to treat the silica or silicate, and the molecular weight of the treating material. The additive and related method improves oil extraction and concentration from a fluid product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Material Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Jennings, Robert Wilson
  • Patent number: 10745282
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to manufacture integrated circuits are described. A method of forming film on a substrate is described. The film is formed on a substrate by exposing a substrate to a diamond-like carbon precursor having an sp3 content of greater than 40 percent. Methods of etching a substrate are described. Electronic devices comprising a diamond-like carbon film are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Eswaranand Venkatasubramanian, Samuel E. Gottheim, Pramit Manna, Abhijit Basu Mallick
  • Patent number: 10747102
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Vibhu Jindal