Patents Assigned to Veeco ALD Inc.
  • Patent number: 9558963
    Abstract: Placing a conductive member between a plasma chamber in a remote plasma reactor and a substrate to shield the substrate from irradiation of undesirable electromagnetic radiation, ions or electrons. The conductive member blocks the electromagnetic radiation, neutralizes ions and absorbs the electrons. Radicals generated in the plasma chambers flows to the substrate despite the placement of the conductive member. In this way, the substrate is exposed to the radicals whereas damages to the substrate due to electromagnetic radiations, ions or electrons are reduced or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Sang In Lee, Ilsong Lee, Hyo Seok Yang
  • Patent number: 9556514
    Abstract: Deposition of material is performed on a substrate by causing short-distance reciprocating motions of the substrate that improve uniformity of material on the substrate. A series of reactors for injecting material onto the substrate is arranged along the length of the substrate in a repeating manner. During each reciprocating motion, the susceptor moves a distance shorter than an entire length of the substrate. Portions of the substrate are injected with materials by a subset of reactors. Since the movement of the substrate is smaller, a linear deposition device including the susceptor may be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Ah Yoon, Suk Yal Cha, Seung Yeop Baek, Daniel H. Lee, Samuel S. Pak, Daniel Yang, Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 9546423
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a deposition device that operates in two modes: a deposition mode, and a cleaning mode. In the deposition mode, modular injectors inject materials onto a substrate to form a layer. In the cleaning mode, the deposition device is cleaned without disassembly by injecting a cleaning gas. The injector module assembly may be cleaned in the cleaning mode by injecting cleaning gas through an exhaust for removing reactant precursor and routing the cleaning gas from the exhaust to another exhaust for removing source precursor. Alternatively, the injector module assembly is cleaned by injecting cleaning gas into a passage between an injector for injecting a source precursor and another injector for injecting a reactant precursor, and routing the cleaning gas to one of the exhausts in the cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Sang In Lee, Samuel S. Pak, Daniel Ho Lee, Hyoseok Daniel Yang
  • Patent number: 9435030
    Abstract: A radical reactor including an elongated structure received within a chamber of a body of the radical reactor. Radicals are generated within a radical chamber formed in the elongated structure by applying a voltage signal across the elongated structure and an electrode extending within the radical chamber. The radicals generated in the radical chamber are routed via a discharge port of the elongated structure and a conduit formed in the body of the radical reactor onto the substrate. The discharge port and the conduit are not aligned so that irradiation generated in the radical chamber is not directed to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Ho Lee, Samuel S. Pak, Hyoseok Yang, Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 9376455
    Abstract: A material is deposited onto a substrate by exposing the substrate to a metal-containing precursor to adsorb metal atoms of the metal-containing precursor to the substrate. The substrate injected with the metal-containing precursor is exposed to an organic precursor to deposit a layer of material by a reaction of the organic precursor with the metal atoms adsorbed to the substrate. The substrate is exposed to radicals of a reducing agent to increase reactivity of the material deposited on the substrate. The radicals of the reducing agent are produced by applying a voltage differential with electrodes to a gas such as hydrogen. The substrate may be exposed to radicals before and/or after exposing the substrate to the organic precursor. The substrate may be sequentially exposed to two or more different organic precursors. The material deposited on the substrate may be a metalcone such as Alucone, Zincone, Zircone, Titanicone, or Nickelcone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Sang In Lee, Chang Wan Hwang
  • Patent number: 9177788
    Abstract: Placing a conductive member between a plasma chamber in a remote plasma reactor and a substrate to shield the substrate from irradiation of undesirable electromagnetic radiation, ions or electrons. The conductive member blocks the electromagnetic radiation, neutralizes ions and absorbs the electrons. Radicals generated in the plasma chambers flows to the substrate despite the placement of the conductive member. In this way, the substrate is exposed to the radicals whereas damages to the substrate due to electromagnetic radiations, ions or electrons are reduced or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Sang In Lee, Ilsong Lee, Hyo Seok Yang
  • Patent number: 9163310
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to using radicals to at different stages of deposition processes. The radicals may be generated by applying voltage across electrodes in a reactor remote from a substrate. The radicals are injected onto the substrate at different stages of molecular layer deposition (MLD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to improve characteristics of the deposited layer, enable depositing of material otherwise not feasible and/or increase the rate of deposition. Gas used for generating the radicals may include inert gas and other gases. The radicals may disassociate precursors, activate the surface of a deposited layer or cause cross-linking between deposited molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: VEECO ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 9145608
    Abstract: An injection module assembly (IMA) that moves along a predetermined path to inject gas onto a substrate and discharge excess gas is described. The IMA may be used for processing a substrate that is difficult to move for various reasons such as a large size and weight of the substrate. The IMA is connected to one or more sets of jointed arms with structures to provide one or more paths for injecting the gas or discharging the excess gas. The IMA is moved by a first driving mechanism (e.g., linear motor) and the jointed arms are separately operated by a second driving mechanism (e.g., pulleys and cables) to reduce force or torque caused by the weight of the jointed arms. The movement of the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism is synchronized to move the IMA and the jointed arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel S. Pak, Sang In Lee, Ilsong Lee, Hyo Seok Yang
  • Patent number: 9129913
    Abstract: The configuration of one or more barrier layers for encapsulating a device is controlled by setting parameters of atomic layer deposition (ALD). A substrate formed with the device is placed on a susceptor and exposed to multiple cycles of source precursor gas and reactant precursor gas injected by reactors of a deposition device. By adjusting one or more of (i) the relative speed between the susceptor and the reactors, (ii) configuration of the reactors, and (iii) flow rates of the gases injected by the reactors, the configuration of the layers deposited on the device can be controlled. By controlling the configuration of the deposited layers, defects in the deposited layers can be prevented or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 9051637
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a structure for securing a shadow mask and a susceptor where the top surface of the shadow mask mounted with the susceptor is flush with the top surface of the susceptor. When the susceptor is mounted with the shadow mask, the entire top surface of the susceptor and the shadow mask is substantially coplanar. A substrate onto which material is deposited is placed below the shadow mask. The susceptor moves below reactors for injecting materials or radicals. Since the entire top surface of the susceptor is substantially flat, the vertical distance between the reactors and the susceptor can be reduced, contributing to the overall quality of the layer formed on the substrate and reducing the materials wasted by leaking outside the gap between the susceptor and the reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 8895108
    Abstract: A method for forming a thin film using radicals generated by plasma may include generating radicals of a reactant precursor using plasma; forming a first thin film on a substrate by exposing the substrate to a mixture of the radicals of the reactant precursor and a source precursor; exposing the substrate to the source precursor; and forming a second thin film on the substrate by exposing the substrate to the mixture of the radicals of the reactant precursor and the source precursor. Since the substrate is exposed to the source precursor between the formation of the first thin film and the formation of the second thin film, the rate of deposition may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 8877300
    Abstract: Performing atomic layer deposition (ALD) using radicals of a mixture of nitrogen compounds to increase the deposition rate of a layer deposited on a substrate. A mixture of nitrogen compound gases is injected into a radical reactor. Plasma of the compound gas is generated by applying voltage across two electrodes in the radical reactor to generate radicals of the nitrogen compound gases. The radicals are injected onto the surface of a substrate previously injected with source precursor. The radicals function as a reactant precursor and deposit a layer of material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Publication number: 20140319488
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to forming a barrier layer on a device before performing radical-assisted atomic layer deposition (RA-ALD) using ozone to form oxygen radicals that function as a reactant precursor for depositing a blanket deposition layer over the device. Before exposing the substrate to ozone or oxygen radicals generated from ozone or oxygen radicals with hydroxyl radicals (generated from ozone mixed with hydrogen-containing gas such as hydrogen or ammonia), the barrier layer is formed on the substrate by exposing the device formed on a substrate to radicals of nitrogen compound gas to prevent ozone, its radicals or oxygen radicals in combination with hydroxyl radicals from penetrating and damaging the device during the process of depositing the blanket deposition layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 8871628
    Abstract: An electrode structure comprises a semiconductor junction comprising an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer; a hole exnihilation layer on the p-type semiconductor layer; and a transparent electrode layer on the hole exnihilation layer. The electrode structure further comprises a conductive layer between the hole exnihilation layer and the transparent electrode layer. In the electrode structure, one or more of the hole exnihilation layer, the conductive layer and the transparent electrode layer may be formed by an atomic layer deposition. In the electrode structure, a transparent electrode formed of a degenerated n-type oxide semiconductor does not come in direct contact with a p-type semiconductor, and thus, annihilation or recombination of holes generated in the p-type semiconductor can be reduced, which increases the carrier generation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 8851012
    Abstract: A vapor deposition reactor may include a first electrode including a first channel and at least one first injection hole connected to the first channel. a second electrode electrically separated from the first electrode, and a power source for applying power between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate plasma from a reactant gas between the first electrode and the second electrode. Also provided is a method for forming thin film using the vapor deposition reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: 8840958
    Abstract: Performing atomic layer deposition using a combined injector that sequentially injects source precursor and reactant precursor onto a substrate. The source precursor is injected into the injector via a first channel, injected onto the substrate and then discharged through a first exhaust portion. The reactant precursor is then injected into the injector via a second channel separate from the first channel, injected onto the substrate and then discharged through a second exhaust portion separate from the first exhaust portion. After injecting the source precursor or the reactant precursor, a purge gas may be injected into the injector and discharged to remove any source precursor or reactant precursor remaining in paths from the first or second channel to the first or second exhaust portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Publication number: 20140219905
    Abstract: A vapor deposition reactor and a method for forming a thin film. The vapor deposition reactor includes at least one first injection portion for injecting a reacting material to a recess in a first portion of the vapor deposition reactor. A second portion is connected to the first space and has a recess connected to the recess of the first portion. The recess of the second portion is maintained to have pressure lower than the pressure in the first space. A third portion is connected to the second space, and an exhaust portion is connected to the third space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Publication number: 20140205769
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a plasma reactor including two or more sub-plasma reactors connected in series to generate an increased amount or increase the reactivity of radicals and reactive species. The two sub-plasma reactors may be of the same type or a different type. The plasma reactor including two or more sub-plasma reactors connected in series is advantageous, among other reasons, because smaller space is used compared to having multiple plasma reactors placed on tandem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventor: Sang In Lee
  • Patent number: D732092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel S. Pak, Sang In Lee, Daniel Ho Lee, Hyoseok Daniel Yang
  • Patent number: D732093
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco ALD Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel S. Pak, Sang In Lee, Daniel Ho Lee, Hyoseok Daniel Yang