Patents Examined by Daborah Chacko-Davis
  • Patent number: 12036562
    Abstract: An ion generating device, a method for manufacturing an ion generating device, and an air conditioner are provided. The ion generating device may include a discharge electrode that generates ions, and a power supply that applies power to the discharge electrode. The discharge electrode may include a support formed of a conductor, and a discharge pin formed to protrude from a surface of the support and having a tip. The discharge pin may include nickel (Ni).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sanggu Lee, Bongjo Sung, Kyungsoo Yoon, Jihyun Kim
  • Patent number: 12032286
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a multi-layered microchannel device by using a photosensitive resin laminate, which is highly-defined and excellent in dimension accuracy and enables channels to be partially hydrophilized or hydrophobilized, wherein the method comprises step (i) of sequentially carrying out (i-a) forming a first photosensitive resin layer on a substrate, (i-b) light-exposing the first photosensitive resin layer, and (i-c) developing the light-exposed photosensitive layer and forming a channel pattern layer, to form a first channel pattern layer; and step (ii) of sequentially carrying out (ii-a) laminating a second photosensitive resin laminate on the first channel pattern layer formed in the step (i), (ii-b) light-exposing a photosensitive layer of the second photosensitive resin laminate, and (ii-c) developing the light-exposed photosensitive layer and forming a channel pattern layer, to form a second channel pattern layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hidenori Nagai, Shunsuke Furutani, Kanako Mizumura, Yuzo Kotani
  • Patent number: 12024534
    Abstract: The purification of monoalkyl tin trialkoxides and monoalkyl tin triamides are described using fractional distillation and/or ultrafiltration. The purified compositions are useful as radiation sensitive patterning compositions or precursors thereof. The fractional distillation process has been found to be effective for the removal of metal impurities down to very low levels. The ultrafiltration processes have been found to be effective at removal of fine particulates. Commercially practical processing techniques are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Clark, Dominick Smiddy, Mark Geniza, Craig M. Gates
  • Patent number: 12025919
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a forming a photoresist layer over a semiconductor substrate and selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation. After selectively exposing the photoresist layer to actinic radiation, storing the semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor substrate container under an ambient of extreme dry clean air or inert gas. The method also includes after the storing the semiconductor substrate, performing a first heating of the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Liao, Sheng-Wen Jiang, Jan-Liang Yang, Hui-Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 12013644
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device, the method including performing a treatment using a treatment liquid for manufacturing a semiconductor, the treatment liquid for manufacturing a semiconductor includes: a quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following Formula (N); at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, and a chelating agent; water; and one kind or two or more kinds of metal atoms selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mg, Mn, Li, Al, Cr, Ni, and Zn. A ratio T1 of a total mass of the metal atoms to the sum of a total mass of the additive and the total mass of the metal atoms is in a range from 1 ppt to 1 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kamimura, Tetsuya Shimizu, Satoru Murayama
  • Patent number: 12013632
    Abstract: A pellicle includes a frame configured to attach to a photomask, wherein the frame includes a vent hole. The pellicle further includes a filter covering the vent hole, wherein the filter directly connects to an outer surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a membrane extending over a top surface of the frame. The pellicle further includes a mount between the frame and the membrane, wherein the mount is attachable to the frame by an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Chue San Yoo, Chih-Chiang Tu, Chien-Cheng Chen, Jong-Yuh Chang, Kun-Lung Hsieh, Pei-Cheng Hsu, Hsin-Chang Lee, Yun-Yue Lin
  • Patent number: 12013641
    Abstract: A method of generating a layout pattern includes disposing a photoresist layer of a resist material on a substrate and disposing a top layer over of the photoresist layer. The top layer is transparent for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation and the top layer is opaque for deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation. The method further includes irradiating the photoresist layer with radiation generated from an EUV radiation source. The radiation passes through the top layer to expose the photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Tsung Shih, Chen-Ming Wang, Yahru Cheng, Bo-Tsun Liu, Tsung Chuan Lee
  • Patent number: 12007685
    Abstract: A method for forming a structure of a pellicle-mask structure is provided. The method includes bonding a pellicle frame to a mask through a pellicle frame adhesive. The method also includes forming a vent structure in the pellicle frame. The method further includes bonding a pellicle membrane to the pellicle frame through a pellicle membrane adhesive. A first size of the pellicle membrane adhesive is greater than a second size of the pellicle frame adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Yue Lin
  • Patent number: 12001143
    Abstract: A lithography system includes an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light source, a reticle stage, a reflection layer, and a plurality of light permeable protrusions. The EUV light source is configured for generating an EUV light beam. The reticle stage is configured for holding a reticle with a front surface of the reticle facing in a downward direction. The reflection layer is below the reticle stage. The light permeable protrusions are formed on the reflection layer. Each of the light permeable protrusions includes a bouncing surface facing in a direction that forms an acute angle with the downward direction. A first portion of the EUV light beam from the EUV light source passes through the bouncing surface of each of the light permeable protrusions to the reflection layer and is reflected to the reticle by the reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hung-Jung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11988959
    Abstract: Organometallic radiation resist compositions are described based on tin ions with alkyl ligands. Some of the compositions have branched alkyl ligands to provide for improved patterning contrast while maintaining a high degree of solution stability. Blends of compounds with distinct alkyl ligands can provide further improvement in the patterning. High resolution patterning with a half-pitch of no more than 25 nm can be achieved with a line width roughness of no more than about 4.5 nm. Synthesis techniques have been developed that allow for the formation of alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions with very low metal contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Michael K Kocsis, Alan J. Telecky, Brian J. Cardineau
  • Patent number: 11988958
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Patent number: 11988960
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Patent number: 11982936
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a photomask includes selectively exposing portions of a photomask blank to radiation to change an optical property of the portions of the photomask blank exposed to the radiation, thereby forming a pattern of exposed portions of the photomask blank and unexposed portions of the photomask blank. The pattern corresponds to a pattern of semiconductor device features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lee, Ping-Hsun Lin, Yen-Cheng Ho, Chih-Cheng Lin, Chia-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 11977330
    Abstract: A resist composition which generates an acid by exposure and whose solubility in a developing solution changes by the action of an acid. The resist composition contains a high-molecular-weight compound having a constitutional unit represented by General Formula (a0-1), and a high-molecular-weight compound having a constitutional unit represented by General Formula (f01-1) and a constitutional unit including an acid-dissociable group represented by General Formula (f02-r-1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Kaiho, Yasuo Someya, Minoru Adegawa
  • Patent number: 11972948
    Abstract: New lithographic compositions for use as EUV adhesion layers are provided. The present invention provides methods of fabricating microelectronics structures using those compositions as well as structures formed by those methods. The method involves utilizing an adhesion layer immediately below the photoresist layer. The adhesion layer can either be directly applied to the substrate, or it can be applied to any intermediate layer(s) that may be applied to the substrate, such as an alpha-carbon, spin-on carbon, spin-on silicon hardmask, metal hardmask, or deposited silicon layer. The preferred adhesion layers are formed from spin-coatable, polymeric compositions. The inventive method improves adhesion and reduces or eliminates pattern collapse issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Brewer Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea M. Chacko, Vandana Krishnamurthy, Yichen Liang, Hao Lee, Stephen Grannemann, Douglas J. Guerrero
  • Patent number: 11971657
    Abstract: A photoresist developer includes a solvent having Hansen solubility parameters of 15<?d<25, 10<?p<25, and 6<?p<30; an acid having an acid dissociation constant, pKa, of ?15<pKa<4, or a base having a pKa of 40>pKa>9.5; and a chelate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Chin-Hsiang Lin, Ching-Yu Chang, Yahru Cheng
  • Patent number: 11966159
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Patent number: 11966158
    Abstract: The purification of monoalkyl tin trialkoxides and monoalkyl tin triamides are described using fractional distillation and/or ultrafiltration. The purified compositions are useful as radiation sensitive patterning compositions or precursors thereof. The fractional distillation process has been found to be effective for the removal of metal impurities down to very low levels. The ultrafiltration processes have been found to be effective at removal of fine particulates. Commercially practical processing techniques are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Clark, Dominick Smiddy, Thomas J. Lamkin, Mark Geniza, Joseph B. Edson, Craig M. Gates
  • Patent number: 11960205
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a horology component, including manufacturing (E1) a first structure (10) from a first photosensitive resin (31) having at least one layer of photosensitive resin having a first pattern obtained by polymerizing the first photosensitive resin by irradiation through at least one mask (4), then developing the first photosensitive resin; and transforming (E2) the first structure (10) into a second structure (1) by structuring at least one surface of the first structure by the addition of a second photosensitive resin (32) to the at least one surface, the second structure (1) being intended to at least partially form a manufacturing mold for the horology component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ROLEX SA
    Inventors: Florian Calame, Alexandra Maegli, Xavier Multone
  • Patent number: 11960209
    Abstract: A developing treatment method for performing a developing treatment on a resist film on a substrate, includes the following. (A) supplying a developing solution to the substrate and developing the resist film to form a resist pattern; (B) supplying a water-based cleaning liquid to the developed substrate to clean the substrate with the water-based cleaning liquid; (C) applying an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer to the substrate cleaned with the water-based cleaning liquid to form a hydrophilic layer having a hydrophilic property on a surface of the substrate; and (D) cleaning the substrate on which the hydrophilic layer has been formed, with a rinse liquid. (B) includes (a) accelerating a rotation speed of the substrate; and (b) after (a), decelerating the rotation speed of the substrate until a start of (C), wherein a deceleration in (b) is lower than an acceleration in (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Kai, Hiroshi Ichinomiya