Patents by Inventor Benjamin Schmiege

Benjamin Schmiege 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).

  • Publication number: 20180366322
    Abstract: Methods of forming a lanthanide-containing film comprising exposing a substrate surface to a lanthanide-containing precursor, a metal halide and a nitrogen precursor are described. The lanthanide-containing precursor has the general formula (CpRx)2Ln(N,N-dialkylamidinate) where Cp is a cyclopentadienyl or 6, 7 or 8 membered ring, R is H, C1-C4 alkyl, x=1 to number of C in Cp, alkyl is C1 to C4 alkyl. The metal halide deposits metal halide on the substrate surface and reacts with lanthanide-containing species to convert the lanthanide-containing species to a lanthanide halide. The nitrogen-containing precursor forms a lanthanide-metal-nitride film on the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180342403
    Abstract: A process to selectively etch a substrate surface comprising multiple metal oxides comprising exposing the substrate surface to a halogenation agent, and then exposing the substrate surface to a ligand transfer agent. The etch rate of the metals in the multiple metal oxides is substantially uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson, Benjamin Schmiege
  • Patent number: 10083834
    Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: David Thompson, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Susmit Singha Roy, Ziqing Duan
  • Publication number: 20180265988
    Abstract: A system and method for removing metal from a substrate in a controlled manner is disclosed. The system includes a chamber, with one or more gas inlets to allow the flow of gasses into the chamber, at least one exhaust pump, to exhaust gasses from the chamber, and a heater, capable of modifying the temperature of the chamber. In some embodiments, one or more gasses are introduced into the chamber at a first temperature. The atoms in these gasses chemically react with the metal on the surface of the substrate to form a removable compound. The gasses are then exhausted from the chamber, leaving the removable compound on the surface of the substrate. The temperature of the chamber is then elevated to a second temperature, greater than the sublimation temperature of the removable compound. This increased temperature allows the removable compound to become gaseous and be exhausted from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Tsung-Liang Chen, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Glen Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20180195179
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals which help to minimize higher etch rates at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline materials. Certain methods pertain to amorphization of the polycrystalline material, other pertain to plasma treatments, and yet other pertain to the use of small doses of halide transfer agents in the etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Nitin K. Ingle, Srinivas D. Nemani, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Xikun Wang, Jie Liu, David Benjaminson
  • Patent number: 10000853
    Abstract: A system and method for removing metal from a substrate in a controlled manner is disclosed. The system includes a chamber, with one or more gas inlets to allow the flow of gasses into the chamber, at least one exhaust pump, to exhaust gasses from the chamber, and a heater, capable of modifying the temperature of the chamber. In some embodiments, one or more gasses are introduced into the chamber at a first temperature. The atoms in these gasses chemically react with the metal on the surface of the substrate to form a removable compound. The gasses are then exhausted from the chamber, leaving the removable compound on the surface of the substrate. The temperature of the chamber is then elevated to a second temperature, greater than the sublimation temperature of the removable compound. This increased temperature allows the removable compound to become gaseous and be exhausted from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Liang Chen, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Glen Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20180155379
    Abstract: Metal coordination complexes comprising a metal atom coordinated to at least one diazabutadiene ligand having a structure represented by: where each R is independently a C1-C13 alkyl or aryl group and each R? is independently H, C1-C10 alkyl or aryl group are described. Processing methods using the metal coordination complexes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180148466
    Abstract: Metal coordination complexes comprising a metal atom coordinated to at least one aza-allyl ligand having the structure represented by: where each R1-R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, branched or unbranched C1-C6 alkyl, branched or unbranched C1-C6 alkenyl, branched or unbranched C1-C6 alkynyl, cycloalkyl groups having in the range of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, silyl groups and halogens. Methods of depositing a film using the metal coordination complex and a suitable reactant are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180096847
    Abstract: Processing methods comprising selectively orthogonally growing a first material through a mask to provide an expanded first material are described. The mask can be removed leaving the expanded first material extending orthogonally from the surface of the first material. Further processing can create a self-aligned via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: David Thompson, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Abhijit Basu Mallick, Susmit Singha Roy, Ziqing Duan
  • Patent number: 9896770
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals which help to minimize higher etch rates at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline materials. Certain methods pertain to amorphization of the polycrystalline material, other pertain to plasma treatments, and yet other pertain to the use of small doses of halide transfer agents in the etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Nitin K. Ingle, Srinivas D. Nemani, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Xikun Wang, Jie Liu, David Benjaminson
  • Publication number: 20180040486
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals. Certain methods involve activating a substrate surface comprising at least one transition metal, wherein activation of the substrate surface comprises exposing the substrate surface to heat, a plasma, an oxidizing environment, or a halide transfer agent to provide an activated substrate surface; and exposing the activated substrate surface to a reagent comprising a Lewis base or pi acid to provide a vapor phase coordination complex comprising one or more atoms of the transition metal coordinated to one or more ligands from the reagent. Certain other methods provide selective etching from a multi-layer substrate comprising two or more of a layer of Co, a layer of Cu and a layer of Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Anthis, Benjamin Schmiege, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 9881787
    Abstract: Methods for depositing titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition are disclosed. Titanium oxide films may include a titanium nitride cap, an oxygen rich titanium nitride cap or a mixed oxide nitride layer. Also described are methods for self-aligned double patterning including titanium oxide spacer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Benjamin Schmiege, Xuesong Lu, Juno Yu-Ting Huang, Yu Lei, Yung-Hsin Lee, Srinivas Gandikota, Rajkumar Jakkaraju, Chikuang Charles Wang, Ghazal Saheli, Benjamin C. Wang, Xinliang Lu, Pingyan Lei
  • Publication number: 20170356083
    Abstract: Methods for depositing a film comprising exposing a substrate surface to a metal precursor and a co-reactant to form a metal containing film are described. The metal precursor comprises a metal atom and an allyl ligand, the metal atom comprises one or more lanthanide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Anthis, Benjamin Schmiege
  • Patent number: 9799533
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals. Certain methods involve activating a substrate surface comprising at least one transition metal, wherein activation of the substrate surface comprises exposing the substrate surface to heat, a plasma, an oxidizing environment, or a halide transfer agent to provide an activated substrate surface; and exposing the activated substrate surface to a reagent comprising a Lewis base or pi acid to provide a vapor phase coordination complex comprising one or more atoms of the transition metal coordinated to one or more ligands from the reagent. Certain other methods provide selective etching from a multi-layer substrate comprising two or more of a layer of Co, a layer of Cu and a layer of Ni.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Anthis, Benjamin Schmiege, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170159188
    Abstract: A system and method for removing metal from a substrate in a controlled manner is disclosed. The system includes a chamber, with one or more gas inlets to allow the flow of gasses into the chamber, at least one exhaust pump, to exhaust gasses from the chamber, and a heater, capable of modifying the temperature of the chamber. In some embodiments, one or more gasses are introduced into the chamber at a first temperature. The atoms in these gasses chemically react with the metal on the surface of the substrate to form a removable compound. The gasses are then exhausted from the chamber, leaving the removable compound on the surface of the substrate. The temperature of the chamber is then elevated to a second temperature, greater than the sublimation temperature of the removable compound. This increased temperature allows the removable compound to become gaseous and be exhausted from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Tsung-Liang Chen, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Glen Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20170096740
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals which help to minimize higher etch rates at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline materials. Certain methods pertain to amorphization of the polycrystalline material, other pertain to plasma treatments, and yet other pertain to the use of small doses of halide transfer agents in the etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Nitin K. Ingle, Srinivas D. Nemani, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Xikun Wang, Jie Liu, David Benjaminson
  • Patent number: 9611552
    Abstract: A system and method for removing metal from a substrate in a controlled manner is disclosed. The system includes a chamber, with one or more gas inlets to allow the flow of gasses into the chamber, at least one exhaust pump, to exhaust gasses from the chamber, and a heater, capable of modifying the temperature of the chamber. In some embodiments, one or more gasses are introduced into the chamber at a first temperature. The atoms in these gasses chemically react with the metal on the surface of the substrate to form a removable compound. The gasses are then exhausted from the chamber, leaving the removable compound on the surface of the substrate. The temperature of the chamber is then elevated to a second temperature, greater than the sublimation temperature of the removable compound. This increased temperature allows the removable compound to become gaseous and be exhausted from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Liang Chen, Benjamin Schmiege, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Glen Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 9540736
    Abstract: Provided are methods for etching films comprising transition metals which help to minimize higher etch rates at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline materials. Certain methods pertain to amorphization of the polycrystalline material, other pertain to plasma treatments, and yet other pertain to the use of small doses of halide transfer agents in the etch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Schmiege, Nitin K. Ingle, Srinivas D. Nemani, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Xikun Wang, Jie Liu, David Benjaminson
  • Patent number: 9528183
    Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to methods and apparatus for in-situ removal of unwanted deposition buildup from one or more interior surfaces of a semiconductor substrate processing chamber. In one implementation, a method for removing cobalt or cobalt containing deposits from one or more interior surfaces of a substrate processing chamber after processing a substrate disposed in the substrate processing chamber is provided. The method comprises forming a reactive species from the fluorine containing cleaning gas mixture, permitting the reactive species to react with the cobalt and/or the cobalt containing deposits to form cobalt fluoride in a gaseous state and purging the cobalt fluoride in gaseous state out of the substrate processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kai Wu, Bo Zheng, Sang Ho Yu, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, Bhushan N. Zope, Jeffrey Anthis, Benjamin Schmiege
  • Publication number: 20160372324
    Abstract: Methods for depositing titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition are disclosed. Titanium oxide films may include a titanium nitride cap, an oxygen rich titanium nitride cap or a mixed oxide nitride layer. Also described are methods for self-aligned double patterning including titanium oxide spacer films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Benjamin Schmiege, Xuesong Lu, Juno Yu-Ting Huang, Yu Lei, Yung-Hsin Lee, Srinivas Gandikota, Rajkumar Jakkaraju, Chikuang Charles Wang, Ghazal Saheli, Benjamin C. Wang, Xinliang Lu, Pingyan Lei