Patents by Inventor Akhil N. Singhal

Akhil N. Singhal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11717866
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and chemistries to etch metal-oxide films. In one embodiment, a method of etching tin oxide (SnO2) films includes using thionyl chloride (SOCl2) chemistry to produce an etch rate of the SnO2 films of up to 10-times higher as compared with Cl2 chemistry for similar flow-rates and process conditions, and gettering oxygen species from the SnO2 films by using the SOCl2, thereby forming volatile SO2 and volatile SnCl4 to provide human safety and machine safety and operations. Other methods, chemistries, and techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Akhil N. Singhal, Dustin Zachary Austin, Alon Ganany, Daniel Boatright
  • Publication number: 20220258216
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and chemistries to etch metal-oxide films. In one embodiment, a method of etching tin oxide (SnO2) films includes using thionyl chloride (SOCl2) chemistry to produce an etch rate of the SnO2 films of up to 10-times higher as compared with Cl2 chemistry for similar flow-rates and process conditions, and gettering oxygen species from the SnO2 films by using the SOCl2, thereby forming volatile SO2 and volatile SnCl4 to provide human safety and machine safety and operations. Other methods, chemistries, and techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Akhil N. Singhal, Dustin Zachary Austin, Alon Ganany, Daniel Boatright
  • Publication number: 20220004103
    Abstract: In some examples, a method of processing a substrate comprises applying a photoresist (PR) onto a surface of the substrate, pre-exposing the PR to ultra violet (UV) light before depositing or etching a metal oxide (MO) layer onto the PR, and depositing or etching a MO layer onto the PR subsequent to pre-exposing the PR to UV light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Akhil N. Singhal, Bart Jan van Schravendijk, Girish A. DIXIT, David C. SMITH, Siva Krishnan Kanakasabapathy
  • Publication number: 20210308726
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and chemistries to etch metal-oxide films. In one embodiment, a method of etching tin oxide (SnO2) films includes using thionyl chloride (SOCl2) chemistry to produce an etch rate of the SnO2 films of up to 10-times higher as compared with Cl2 chemistry for similar flow-rates and process conditions, and gettering oxygen species from the SnO2 films by using the SOCl2, thereby forming volatile SO2 and volatile SnCl4 to provide human safety and machine safety and operations. Other methods, chemistries, and techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Akhil N. Singhal, Dustin Zachary Austin, Alon Ganany, Daniel Boatright
  • Publication number: 20190385828
    Abstract: A processing method includes: loading, onto a substrate support of a processing chamber, a substrate having a metal oxide film deposited on a surface of the substrate; based on a predetermined temperature, controlling a temperature of coolant provided to coolant channels through the substrate support, where the predetermined temperature is less than 50 degrees Celsius; and, while controlling the temperature of the coolant based on the predetermined temperature, selectively etching the metal oxide film including: flowing molecular hydrogen into the processing chamber; and striking plasma within the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Akhil N. Singhal, Patrick A. Van Cleemput, Jeong Seok Ha
  • Patent number: 10081869
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber and an upper electrode arranged in the processing chamber. A pedestal is configured to support a substrate during processing and includes a lower electrode. An RF generating system is configured to generate RF plasma between the upper electrode and the lower electrode by supplying an RF voltage. A bias generating circuit is configured to selectively supply a DC bias voltage to one of the upper electrode and the lower electrode. A start of the DC bias voltage is initiated one of a first predetermined period before the RF plasma is extinguished and a second predetermined period after the RF plasma is extinguished. A substrate movement system is configured to move the substrate relative to the pedestal while the DC bias voltage is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Augustyniak, Christopher James Ramsayer, Akhil N. Singhal, Kareem Boumatar
  • Publication number: 20150357161
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber and an upper electrode arranged in the processing chamber. A pedestal is configured to support a substrate during processing and includes a lower electrode. An RF generating system is configured to generate RF plasma between the upper electrode and the lower electrode by supplying an RF voltage. A bias generating circuit is configured to selectively supply a DC bias voltage to one of the upper electrode and the lower electrode. A start of the DC bias voltage is initiated one of a first predetermined period before the RF plasma is extinguished and a second predetermined period after the RF plasma is extinguished. A substrate movement system is configured to move the substrate relative to the pedestal while the DC bias voltage is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Augustyniak, Christopher James Ramsayer, Akhil N. Singhal, Kareem Boumatar