Patents Assigned to EKC Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6399551
    Abstract: A two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound composition comprises the two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound, gallic acid or catechol, and optionally, an aqueous hydroxylamine solution. The balance of the composition is made up of water, preferably high purity deionized water, or another suitable polar solvent. A process for removing photoresist or other residue from a substrate, such as an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer including titanium metallurgy, comprises contacting the substrate with the composition for a time and at a temperature sufficient to remove the photoresist or other residue from the substrate. Use of the two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound in the composition and process provides superior residue removal without attacking titanium or other metallurgy, oxide or nitride layers on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6367486
    Abstract: An ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or a mono-, di-, tri- or tetraammonium salt thereof residue cleaning composition removes photoresist and other residue from integrated circuit substrates. The balance of the composition is desirably made up of water, preferably high purity deionized water, or another suitable polar solvent. A process for removing photoresist or other residue from a substrate, such as an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer including titanium metallurgy, comprises contacting the substrate with the composition for a time and at a temperature sufficient to remove the photoresist or other residue from the substrate. Use of the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or a mono-, di-, tri- or tetraammonium salt thereof in the composition and process provides superior residue removal without attacking titanium or other metallurgy, oxide or nitride layers on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Mun Lee, Zhefei Jessie Chen
  • Publication number: 20020037820
    Abstract: A composition for the stripping of photoresist and the cleaning of residues from substrates, and for silicon oxide etch, comprising from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of one or more fluoride compounds, from about 10 percent by weight to about 95% by weight of a sulfoxide or sulfone solvent, and from about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight water. The composition may contain corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, co-solvents, basic amine compounds, surfactants, acids and bases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Bakul P. Patel, Wai Mun Lee, Douglas Holmes, Jerome Daviot, Chris Reid
  • Patent number: 6319885
    Abstract: A composition for removing resists and etching residue from substrates containing at least one nucleophilic amine compound having oxidation and reduction potentials, at least one organic solvent, water and, optionally, a chelating agent is described. The chelating agent is preferred to be included since it provides added stability and activity to the cleaning composition so that the composition has long term effectiveness. If a chelating agent is not present, the composition, while providing for adequate stripping and cleaning upon initial use of the composition following mixing, has only short term stability. In this latter instance, the nucleophilic amine compound and organic solvent components of the composition preferably are maintained separate from each other until it is desired to use the composition. Thereafter, the components are combined. Following use of the composition, the non-used portion of the composition can be disposed of or be reactivated by the addition of a chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Mun Lee, Charles U. Pittman, Jr., Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6313039
    Abstract: A composition for chemical mechanical polishing that includes a slurry is described. A sufficient amount of a selectively oxidizing and reducing compound is provided to produce a differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A pH adjusting compound adjusts the pH of the composition to provide a pH that makes the selectively oxidizing and reducing compound provide the differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A composition may include an effective amount of an hydroxylamine compound, ammonium persulfate, a compound which is an indirect source of hydrogen peroxide, and a peracetic acid or periodic acid. A method for chemical mechanical polishing is described which includes applying a slurry that includes the composition to a surface to produce mechanical removal of the metal and dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Laurence McGhee, David J. Maloney, Maria L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6251150
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slurry composition for chemical mechanical polishing comprising spinel particles having the formula AO•xZ2O3 wherein A is at least one divalent cation, Z is at least one trivalent cation, and 0.01≦x≦100. The present invention also includes a method of chemical mechanical polishing the surface of a substrate using slurry compositions that include these spinel particles. The slurry compositions of the present invention provide the desired level of planarization and selectivity for both metal and oxide surfaces. In addition, the slurry compositions of the invention can be prepared such that they are substantially free of alpha phase alumina particles and other high hardness particles to produce a scratch-free polished surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignees: EKC Technology, Inc., Baikowski Chimie
    Inventors: Robert James Small, Maria Louise Peterson, Tuan Troung, Lionel Bonneau, Jean Claude Drouget
  • Patent number: 6248704
    Abstract: A composition for the cleaning of residues from substrates from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight of one or more fluoride compounds, from about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight water, from about 20 percent by weight to about 80 percent by weight of an organic amide solvent and from 0 to about 50 weight percent of an organic sulfoxide solvent. The composition has a pH between about 7 and about 10. Additionally, the composition optionally contains corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, surfactants, acids and bases. In use of the composition, a substrate is contacted with the composition for a time and at a temperature that permits cleaning of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Jun Cheng, Taishih Maw
  • Patent number: 6242400
    Abstract: A method for removing a resist from a substrate comprising contacting a substrate having a resist coating present thereon with a composition comprising hydroxylamine and at least one alkanolamine which is miscible with hydroxylamine is described. Optionally, the composition may comprise one or more polar solvents. The method is especially suitable for removing a photoresist from a substrate during the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits and for removing cured polymer coatings, such as polyimide coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6235693
    Abstract: A composition for the cleaning of residues from substrates from about 0.01 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of one or more fluoride compounds, from about 20 percent by weight to about 50 percent by weight water, from about 20 percent by weight to about 80 percent by weight of an lactam solvent and from 0 to about 50 weight percent of an organic sulfoxide or glycol solvent. The composition has a pH between about 6 and about 10. Additionally, the composition optionally contains corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, surfactants, acids and bases. In use of the composition, a substrate is contacted with the composition for a time and at a temperature that permits cleaning of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Cheng, Robert J. Small, Bakul P. Patel
  • Patent number: 6221818
    Abstract: A hydroxylamine-gallic compound composition comprises a hydroxylamine compound, at least one alcohol amine compound which is miscible with the hydroxylamine compound and a gallic compound. A process for removing photoresist or other polymeric material or a residue from a substrate, such as an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer including titanium metallurgy, in accordance with this invention comprises contacting the substrate with a hydroxylamine compound, an alcohol amine compound which is miscible with the hydroxylamine compound and a gallic compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to remove the photoresist, other polymeric material or residue from the substrate. Use of a gallic compound in place of catechol in the composition and process reduces attack on titanium metallurgy by, e.g., about three times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6187730
    Abstract: A hydroxylamine-gallic compound composition comprises a hydroxylamine compound, at least one alcohol amine compound which is miscible with the hydroxylamine compound and a gallic compound. A process for removing photoresist or other polymeric material or a residue from a substrate, such as an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer including titanium metallurgy, in accordance with this invention comprises contacting the substrate with a hydroxylamine compound, an alcohol amine compound which is miscible with the hydroxylamine compound and a gallic compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to remove the photoresist, other polymeric material or residue from the substrate. Use of a gallic compound in place of catechol in the composition and process reduces attack on titanium metallurgy by, e.g., about three times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6156661
    Abstract: A composition for removal of chemical residues from metal or dielectric surfaces or for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper surface is an aqueous solution with a pH between about 3.5 and about 7. The composition contains a monofunctional, difunctional or trifunctional organic acid and a buffering amount of a quaternary amine, ammonium hydroxide, hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine salt, hydrazine or hydrazine salt base. A method in accordance with the invention for removal of chemical residues from a metal or dielectric surface comprises contacting the metal or dielectric surface with the above composition for a time sufficient to remove the chemical residues. A method in accordance with the invention for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper surface comprises applying the above composition to the copper surface, and polishing the surface in the presence of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6140287
    Abstract: An etching residue remover for cleaning etching residue from a substrate, derived from a mixture of at least hydroxylamine, an alkanolamine which is miscible with said hydroxylamine, water, and, optionally, a chelating agent, wherein the hydroxylamine and the alkanolamine are present in amounts sufficient to clean etching residue from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6121217
    Abstract: A two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound composition comprises the two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound, gallic acid or catechol, and optionally, an aqueous hydroxylamine solution. The balance of the composition is made up of water, preferably high purity deionized water, or another suitable polar solvent. A process for removing photoresist or other residue from a substrate, such as an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer including titanium metallurgy, comprises contacting the substrate with the composition for a time and at a temperature sufficient to remove the photoresist or other residue from the substrate. Use of the two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compound in the composition and process provides superior residue removal without attacking titanium or other metallurgy, oxide or nitride layers on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 6117783
    Abstract: A composition for chemical mechanical polishing includes a slurry. A sufficient amount of a selectively oxidizing and reducing compound is provided in the composition to produce a differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A pH adjusting compound adjusts the pH of the composition to provide a pH that makes the selectively oxidizing and reducing compound provide the differential removal of the metal and the dielectric material. A composition for chemical mechanical polishing is improved by including an effective amount for chemical mechanical polishing of a hydroxylamine compound, ammonium persulfate, a compound which is an indirect source of hydrogen peroxide, a peracetic acid or periodic acid. A method for chemical mechanical polishing comprises applying a slurry to a metal and dielectric material surface to produce mechanical removal of the metal and the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Laurence McGhee, David J. Maloney, Maria L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6110881
    Abstract: A composition for removing resists and etching residue from substrates containing at least one nucleophilic amine compound having oxidation and reduction potentials, at least one organic solvent, water and, optionally, a chelating agent is described. The chelating agent is preferred to be included since it provides added stability and activity to the cleaning composition so that the composition has long term effectiveness. If a chelating agent is not present, the composition, while providing for adequate stripping and cleaning upon initial use of the composition following mixing, has only short term stability. In this latter instance, the nucleophilic amine compound and organic solvent components of the composition preferably are maintained separate from each other until it is desired to use the composition. Thereafter, the components are combined. Following use of the composition, the non-used portion of the composition can be disposed of or be reactivated by the addition of a chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Mun Lee, Charles U. Pittman, Jr., Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6000411
    Abstract: A method of removing etching residue from a substrate by contacting a substrate having etching residue present thereon with an etching residue remover derived from a mixture of at least hydroxylamine, an alkanolamine which is miscible with the hydroxylamine, water, and, optionally, a chelating agent at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove the etching residue from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 5981454
    Abstract: A composition for removal of chemical residues from metal or dielectric surfaces or for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper surface is an aqueous solution with a pH between about 3.5 and about 7. The composition contains a monofuctional, difunctional or trifunctional organic acid and a buffering amount of a quaternary amine, ammonium hydroxide, hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine salt, hydrazine or hydrazine salt base. A method in accordance with the invention for removal of chemical residues from a metal or dielectric surface comprises contacting the metal or dielectric surface with the above composition for a time sufficient to remove the chemical residues. A method in accordance with the invention for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper surface comprises applying the above composition to the copper surface, and polishing the surface in the presence of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 5911835
    Abstract: A (method using a composition) for removing resists and etching residue from substrates containing at least one nucleophilic amine compound having oxidation and reduction potentials, at least one organic solvent, water and, optionally, a chelating agent. The chelating agent is preferred to be included since it provides added stability and activity to the cleaning composition so that the composition has long term effectiveness. If a chelating agent is not present, the composition, while providing for adequate stripping and cleaning upon initial use of the composition following mixing, has only short term stability. In this latter instance, the nucleophilic amine compound and organic solvent components of the composition preferably are maintained separate from each other until it is desired to use the composition. Thereafter, the components are combined. Following use of the composition, the non-used portion of the composition can be disposed of or be reactivated by the addition of a chelating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Mun Lee, Charles U. Pittman, Jr., Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 5902780
    Abstract: A stripping and cleaning composition for removing resists and etching residue from substrates containing hydroxylamine and at least one alkanolamine is described. Further, a cleaning composition for removing etching residue from semiconductor substrates containing hydroxylamine, at least one alkanolamine, at least one chelating agent, and water is described. The preferred chelating agent is 1,2-dihydroxybenzene or a derivative thereof. The chelating agent provides added stability and effectiveness to the cleaning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee