Patents Assigned to Tokyo Electron Limited
  • Patent number: 11874319
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a stage on which a substrate having an inspection target is placed, a probe card, a light irradiator, and a controller. The probe card has probes that supply a current to the inspection target. The light irradiator irradiates light to heat the substrate. The controller controls the light irradiator to execute uniformly heating the inspection target by the light from the light irradiator, and heating an outer peripheral portion of the inspection target by the light from the light irradiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11876125
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a 3D semiconductor apparatus and a method for fabricating the same. The 3D semiconductor apparatus can include a first semiconductor device including sidewall structures of a first gate metal sandwiched by dielectric layers, a first epitaxially grown channel surrounded by the sidewall structures; a second semiconductor device formed on the same substrate adjacent to the first semiconductor device that includes sidewall structures of a second gate metal sandwiched by dielectric layers, a second epitaxially grown channel surrounded by the sidewall structures; a salicide layer formed between the first and second semiconductor devices and metallization contacting each of the S/D regions and the gate regions. The 3D semiconductor apparatus may include a P+ epitaxially grown channel formed on the same substrate adjacent to an N+ epitaxially grown channel, the P+ epitaxially grown channel separated from N+ epitaxially grown channel by a diffusion break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mark I. Gardner, H. Jim Fulford
  • Patent number: 11875991
    Abstract: A substrate treatment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a temperature raising step of raising a temperature of a concentrated sulfuric acid, and a liquid supply step of supplying the concentrated sulfuric acid having the raised temperature to a substrate placed on a substrate processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Koji Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20240014006
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing chamber; a substrate support; a source RF generator coupled to the plasma processing chamber, and configured to generate a source RF pulsed signal; a first bias RF generator configured to generate a first bias RF pulsed signal; a second bias RF generator configured to generate a second bias RF pulsed signal; a first separation circuit connected between the first bias RF generator and the substrate support, and configured to suppress a coupling of the second bias RF pulsed signal from the second bias RF generator to the first bias RF generator, and a second separation circuit connected between the second bias RF generator and the substrate support, and configured to suppress a coupling of the first bias RF pulsed signal from the first bias RF generator to the second bias RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Naoki FUJIWARA, Mitsunori OHATA, Takahiro TAKEUCHI
  • Patent number: 11868119
    Abstract: Sensitivity calculations are provided of a process model through the rate of change of a model fingerprint with respect to process variables and defects. A fingerprint sensitivity table is generated, where process variables are associated with a set of fingerprint sensitivities. The fingerprint of incoming substrates is monitored through a production process by applying the same fingerprint method that is used in the process model. Calculations are made of the difference between the incoming substrate fingerprint and the process model predicted fingerprint. This difference fingerprint is compared against the table of fingerprint sensitivities to find the process variable most likely to be responsible for the difference. Spatial relationships between process variables and actual measurements on the substrate may be obtained. Correlation through fingerprint sensitivity improves the ability to pinpoint faulty process tools. The difference fingerprint may also identify the formation of defects on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nathan Ip, Megan Wooley
  • Patent number: 11869789
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a carrier block, a first processing block including first lower and upper processing blocks to deliver a substrate to and from the carrier block, a second processing block including second lower and upper processing blocks provided adjacent to the first lower and upper processing blocks, a relay block including a lifting and transferring mechanism that delivers the substrate between the second lower and upper processing blocks, a controller that controls an operation of each main transfer mechanism such that one of upper and lower processing blocks forms an outward path through which the substrate is transferred from the carrier block to the relay block and the other forms a return path through which the substrate is transferred from the relay block to the carrier block, and a bypass transfer mechanism provided for each of the first and second processing blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Masashi Tsuchiyama, Suguru Enokida, Taro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11869755
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate processing apparatus includes mounting a substrate on a mounting portion of an electrostatic chuck of the substrate processing apparatus to process the substrate; mounting a protector including a small diameter portion that covers the mounting portion and a large diameter portion that is disposed apart from an edge ring disposed on an outer periphery of the mounting portion and has a diameter larger than that of the small diameter portion, on the mounting portion; and supplying a cleaning gas, thereby removing by-products deposited between the mounting portion and the edge ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Akira Nagayama, Shinya Sato
  • Patent number: 11871503
    Abstract: A plasma processing method includes performing a first plasma processing in a processing chamber in a first period, and performing a second plasma processing in the processing chamber during a second period continuously after the first period. In the first period and the second period, a first radio-frequency power for bias is continuously supplied to a lower electrode. A second radio-frequency power for plasma generation may be supplied as a pulsed radio-frequency power in a first partial period in each cycle of the first radio-frequency power in the first period. The second radio-frequency power may be supplied as a pulsed radio-frequency power in a second partial period in each cycle of the first radio-frequency power in the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Dokan, Shinji Kubota, Chishio Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 11869927
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a first laminating step, a second laminating step, a third laminating step, a first annealing step, and a fourth laminating step. In the first laminating step, a first electrode film is laminated on a substrate. In the second laminating step, a capacitive insulator is laminated on the first electrode film. In the third laminating step, a metal oxide is laminated on the capacitive insulator. In the first annealing step, the first electrode film, the capacitive insulator, and the metal oxide, which are laminated on the substrate, are annealed. In the fourth laminating step, a second electrode film is laminated on the annealed metal oxide. The capacitive insulator is an oxide that contains at least one of zirconium and hafnium, and the metal oxide is an oxide that contains at least one of tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yumiko Kawano, Genji Nakamura, Philippe Gaubert, Hajime Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 11869750
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a chamber, a member, and a heater. Plasma is generated in an internal space of the chamber. The member is partially located in the internal space of the chamber. The heater is configured to heat the member. The member extends outward from the internal space of the chamber and is exposed to a space outside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yusuke Hayasaka, Takehiro Tanikawa, Shuhei Yamabe, Yuki Machida, Jun Young Chung
  • Patent number: 11869780
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a processing liquid storage unit configured to store a processing liquid therein; a processing liquid drain unit configured to drain the processing liquid from the processing liquid storage unit; and a control unit. The control unit performs a first control in a constant concentration mode in which a concentration of the processing liquid in the processing liquid storage unit is regulated to a predetermined set concentration and a second control in a concentration changing mode in which the concentration of the processing liquid is changed. In the second control, a set concentration after concentration change is compared with a set concentration before the concentration change, and when the set concentration after the concentration change is lower, the control unit controls the processing liquid drain unit to start draining of the processing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawazu, Takafumi Tsuchiya, Hideaki Sato, Hidemasa Aratake, Osamu Kuroda, Takashi Nagai, Jiro Harada
  • Patent number: 11867458
    Abstract: A temperature sensor, a temperature measuring device comprising the temperature sensor, and a temperature measuring method using the temperature sensor are disclosed. The temperature sensor is disposed at a measurement target having an extremely low temperature and transmits temperature measurement data to a temperature measurement output unit through a lead wire. The temperature sensor includes a housing, an electric resistor disposed in the housing, and a thermal anchor portion disposed inside or outside the housing and connected to the lead wire. Further, the lead wire extending from the thermal anchor portion is connected to the temperature measurement output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Manabu Nakagawasai
  • Patent number: 11866825
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a venting mechanism for venting a treatment vessel, a gas supply path including an upstream flow path to which a gas is supplied from a gas source, and multiple branch paths formed by branching a downstream side of the upstream flow path into multiple paths, each branch path being connected to the treatment vessel. The apparatus further includes first valves respectively provided in the branch paths to divert the gas to the branch paths, each first valve having a variable opening degree without being closed completely, a second valve provided in the upstream flow path to supply the gas or shut off the supply of the gas to a downstream side thereof, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in the treatment vessel, and an abnormality detector that detects an abnormality in the downstream side of the second valve based on the detected pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hayashi, Ryosaku Ota
  • Patent number: 11869777
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: increasing a temperature of a substrate by heating the substrate; after the increasing the temperature of the substrate, forming a liquid film of a pre-wetting liquid on a first surface of the substrate by supplying the pre-wetting liquid to the first surface of the substrate while heating and rotating the substrate at a first rotational speed; after the forming the liquid film, processing the first surface of the substrate with a chemical liquid by supplying the chemical liquid to the first surface of the substrate while heating and rotating the substrate at a second rotational speed that is lower than the second rotational speed; and after the processing the first surface of the substrate, decreasing the temperature of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Fumihiro Kamimura, Masatoshi Kasahara, Teruomi Minami, Ikuo Sunaka
  • Patent number: 11868057
    Abstract: A solution treatment apparatus applies a coating solution onto a substrate. The apparatus includes a holder holding and rotating the substrate; a coating solution supplier supplying the coating solution to the substrate on the holder; and an inner cup surrounding the holder from a lateral side and having a peripheral edge side upper surface inclining down outward in a radial direction from an apex part located below a peripheral edge side of the substrate on the holder. The inner cup has discharge ports formed along a circumferential direction at the apex part; and the discharge ports are formed to discharge a cleaning solution and make the cleaning solution flow down along the peripheral edge side upper surface of the inner cup, thereby cleaning the peripheral edge side upper surface, and to discharge the cleaning solution outward in the radial direction and obliquely upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenta Shibasaki, Hiroichi Inada, Satoshi Shimmura, Koji Takayanagi, Kenji Yada, Shinichi Seki, Akihiro Teramoto
  • Patent number: 11868056
    Abstract: A heat treatment unit U2 includes a heat plate 20 configured to place a wafer W thereon and heat the wafer W placed thereon; multiple gap members 22 formed along a front surface 20a of the heat plate 20 on which the wafer W is placed, and configured to support the wafer W to secure a clearance V between the heat plate 20 and the wafer W; a suction unit 70 configured to suck the wafer W toward the heat plate 20; and an elevating pin 51 configured to penetrate the heat plate 20 and configured to be moved up and down to move the wafer W placed on the heat plate 20 up and down. The front surface 20a of the heat plate 20 has a concave region 20d inclined downwards from an outer side toward an inner side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouichi Mizunaga, Toshichika Takei
  • Patent number: 11869752
    Abstract: A transfer system configured to transfer a focus ring includes a processing system and a position detection system. The processing system includes a processing apparatus including a chamber main body and a placing table having a substrate placing region and a focus ring placing region; and a transfer device configured to transfer the focus ring. The position detection system includes a light source; multiple optical elements configured to output light and receive reflected light; a driving unit configured to move each optical element to allow each optical element to scan a scanning range; and a controller configured to calculate, based on the reflected light in the scanning range, a positional relationship between the placing table and the focus ring for each optical element. The transfer device is configured to adjust a transfer position of the focus ring onto the focus ring placing region based on the calculated positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Patent number: 11866831
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a new wet atomic layer etch (ALE) process for etching copper. More specifically, the present disclosure provides various embodiments of methods that utilize new etch chemistries for etching copper in a wet ALE process. By utilizing the new etch chemistries disclosed herein within a wet ALE process, the present disclosure provides a highly selective etch of copper with monolayer precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Netzband, Paul Abel, Jacques Faguet, Arkalgud Sitaram
  • Patent number: 11869799
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit performs heat exchange using a coolant and is disposed inside a placing table and equipped with heat exchange chambers. The heat exchange chambers are disposed in regions, respectively, set on the placing table. The regions are set along a placing surface of the placing table. A chiller device circulates the coolant with respect to the heat exchange chambers. A temperature detection device includes temperature detectors. The temperature detectors are disposed in the regions, respectively, between the respective heat exchange chambers and the placing surface. A control device controls the chiller device to adjust a pressure of the coolant such that a temperature of the placing table reaches a first temperature range, and controls the chiller device to individually adjust flow rates of the coolant supplied to the heat exchange chambers, respectively, such that all of temperatures measured by the temperature detectors reach the first temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shin Yamaguchi, Akiyoshi Mitsumori
  • Patent number: D1011550
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Tsujihashi, Suguru Enokida, Kazuki Matsushita