Patents by Inventor Du Zhang

Du Zhang 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: 20250132128
    Abstract: A method for a plasma process includes generating plasma within a process chamber with a source power pulse and applying a bias power pulse to a substrate holder within the process chamber. A frequency of the bias power pulse increases from a first frequency value to a second frequency value during the bias power pulse. The bias power pulse occurs after the source power pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Evrim Solmaz, Du Zhang, Barton Lane
  • Publication number: 20250105015
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and corresponding methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method may include forming a first hardmask layer over a substrate. The method may include forming a second hardmask layer over the first hardmask layer. The method may include transferring a pattern from the second hardmask layer to the first hardmask layer, wherein the pattern in the first hardmask layer comprises a plurality of protruding structures, and each of the plurality of protruding structures has respective portions of its two sidewalls extending toward each other. The method may include depositing a modification layer extending along at least the respective portions of the sidewalls of each of the protruding structures. The method may include etching the substrate with the protruding structures and the modification layer both serving as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shihsheng CHANG, Yen-Tien LU, Du ZHANG, Kai-Hung YU, David L O'MEARA
  • Patent number: 12237172
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: loading the substrate in a plasma processing chamber, the substrate having a surface including an oxide, the oxide including an alkaline earth metal; flowing a process gas including CCl4 into the plasma processing chamber; in the plasma processing chamber, forming a fluorine-free plasma from the process gas by applying a source power to a source electrode of the plasma processing chamber; and exposing the substrate to the fluorine-free plasma to etch the oxide of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Christophe Vallee, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20250046603
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: forming a passivation layer over sidewalls of a recess in a carbon-containing layer over a substrate by a cyclic passivation process including a plurality of cycles, each of the plurality of cycles including, exposing the substrate to a first gas including a refractory metal in the absence of a plasma, and after exposing to the first gas, exposing the substrate to a second gas including oxygen or nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Koki Mukaiyama, Takatoshi Orui, Tomohiko Niizeki, Maju Tomura, Yoshihide Kihara, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240420965
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: patterning a carbon-based hardmask layer over a dielectric layer to form a first recess in the carbon-based hardmask layer, the first recess having a tapered profile such that a width of the first recess at a first height is greater than a width of the first recess at a second height that is lower than the first height; depositing a metal-containing layer over the patterned carbon-based hardmask layer, the metal-containing layer being physically in contact with sidewalls of the patterned carbon-based hardmask layer in the first recess, the metal-containing layer being thicker at the first height than at the second height; and etching the dielectric layer using the patterned carbon-based hardmask layer as an etch mask by an anisotropic plasma etch process to form a second recess in the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Shihsheng Chang, Yen-Tien Lu, Du Zhang, David L. O'Meara, Jeffrey Shearer
  • Publication number: 20240395557
    Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes etching a substrate to form a recess in the substrate through a plurality of stages. A first one of the plurality of stages forms an inhibitor layer lining an initial portion of the recess based on first etchant radicals. A second one of the plurality of stages exposes the initial portion of the recess based on ions. A third one of the plurality of stages extends the initial portion of the recess based on second etchant radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Du ZHANG, Scott LEFEVRE, Jeffrey SHEARER, Peter BIOLSI
  • Patent number: 12131914
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: loading the substrate in a plasma processing chamber; performing a cyclic plasma etch process including a plurality of cycles, where each cycle of the plurality of cycles includes: generating a first plasma from a first gas mixture including a fluorosilane and oxygen; performing a deposition step by exposing the substrate to the first plasma to form a passivation film including silicon and fluorine; generating a second plasma from a second gas mixture including a noble gas; and performing an etch step by exposing the substrate to the second plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Université d'Orleans
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Hojin Kim, Shigeru Tahara, Kaoru Maekawa, Mingmei Wang, Jacques Faguet, Remi Dussart, Thomas Tillocher, Philippe Lefaucheux, Gaëlle Antoun
  • Publication number: 20240332029
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: flowing a fluorocarbon, a metal halide, and dihydrogen (H2) into a plasma processing chamber, the plasma processing chamber configured to hold a substrate including a dielectric layer including silicon oxide as an etch target and a patterned hardmask including polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) over the dielectric layer; while flowing the gases, generating a plasma in the plasma processing chamber; and forming a high aspect ratio feature by exposing the substrate to the plasma to etch a recess in the dielectric layer, where a metal-containing passivation layer is formed over the patterned hardmask during the exposing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240231392
    Abstract: An operation method, a device, a system and a mobile device for a medical device are disclosed. The method comprises: when it is detected that a target object reaches an operation area, projecting a first image in the operation area (S201), the first image being used for guiding the target object into a preset area; when the target object enters the preset area, acquiring position information of the target object on the preset area, and controlling, according to the position information, a target operation device to perform a first target operation (S202); and obtaining feature information of the target object in real time when the target operation device performs the first target operation, and controlling, according to the feature information, the target operation device to adjust the first target operation (S203). The accuracy of the first target operation performed by the target operation device is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: CHENG NI, WEI ZHANG, ZHI-DU ZHANG, XU-KUN WANG, LI WANG, YI-FENG WANG
  • Publication number: 20240162043
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate that includes: performing a cyclic process including a plurality of cycles, where the cyclic process includes, forming a carbon-containing layer over sidewalls of a recess in a Si-containing dielectric layer of the substrate, the forming including exposing the substrate disposed in a plasma processing chamber to a first plasma generated from a first gas including carbon and hydrogen, modifying a surface of the carbon-containing layer by exposing the substrate to a second plasma generated from a second gas including oxygen, and forming a passivation layer over the modified surface of the carbon-containing layer by exposing the substrate to a third gas including B, Si, or Al.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Yu-Hao Tsai, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240128089
    Abstract: Embodiments of improved processes and methods that provide selective etching of silicon nitride are disclosed herein. More specifically, a cyclic, two-step dry etch process is provided to selectively etch silicon nitride layers formed on a substrate, while protecting oxide layers formed on the same substrate. The cyclic, two-step dry etch process sequentially exposes the substrate to: (1) a hydrogen plasma to modify exposed surfaces of the silicon nitride layer and the oxide layer to form a modified silicon nitride surface layer and a modified oxide surface layer, and (2) a halogen plasma to selectively etch silicon nitride by removing the modified silicon nitride surface layer without removing the modified oxide surface layer. The oxide layer is protected from etching during the removal step (i.e., step 2) by creating a crystallized water layer on the oxide layer during the surface modification step (i.e., step 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Tsai, Mingmei Wang, Du Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240112919
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: flowing dioxygen (O2) and a hydrogen-containing gas into a plasma processing chamber that is configured to hold the substrate, the substrate including an organic layer and a patterned etch mask, the hydrogen-containing gas including dihydrogen (H2), a hydrocarbon, or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); generating an oxygen-rich plasma while flowing the gases; maintaining a temperature of the substrate in the plasma processing chamber between ?150° C. and ?50° C.; and while maintaining the temperature, exposing the substrate to the oxygen-rich plasma to form a recess in the organic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Maju Tomura, Koki Mukaiyama, Tomohiko Niizeki, Yoshihide Kihara, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240112888
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: flowing an etch gas, O2, and an adsorbate precursor into a plasma processing chamber that is configured to hold the substrate including a silicon-containing dielectric layer and a patterned mask layer, the etch gas including hydrogen and fluorine; generating a plasma in the plasma processing chamber while flowing the etch gas, O2, and the adsorbate precursor, the adsorbate precursor being oxidized to form an adsorbate; and patterning, with the plasma, the silicon-containing dielectric layer on the substrate, where the adsorbate forms a sidewall passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Yu-Hao Tsai, Masahiko Yokoi, Mingmei Wang, Yoshihide Kihara
  • Publication number: 20240112887
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: flowing dioxygen (O2) and an adsorbate precursor into a plasma processing chamber that is configured to hold the substrate including an organic layer and a patterned etch mask; sustaining an oxygen-rich plasma while flowing the O2 and the adsorbate precursor, oxygen species from the O2 and the adsorbate precursor reacting under the oxygen-rich plasma to form an adsorbate; and exposing the substrate to the oxygen-rich plasma to form a recess in the organic layer, where the adsorbate forms a sidewall passivation layer in the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Yu-Hao Tsai, Masahiko Yokoi, Yoshihide Kihara, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240091561
    Abstract: A radiation therapy system is disclosed. The radiation therapy system includes a gantry, a first radiation source, and a second radiation source. The gantry is configured to have a cavity extending in a direction along a rotation axis, and the cavity is configured to house a target object. The first radiation source is mounted on the gantry, and configured to emit a treatment beam to a treatment area of the target object. The second radiation source is mounted on the gantry, and configured to emit an imaging beam to an imaging area of the target object. The treatment area partially overlaps the imaging area. A rotation plane of the first radiation source and a rotation plane of the second radiation source are distributed in a direction along the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: CAN LIAO, BO CAI, LING-QING MEI, ZHI-DU ZHANG, CHENG NI, WEI ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20230374670
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate that includes: loading the substrate in a plasma processing chamber, the substrate having a surface including an oxide, the oxide including an alkaline earth metal; flowing a process gas including CCl4 into the plasma processing chamber; in the plasma processing chamber, forming a fluorine-free plasma from the process gas by applying a source power to a source electrode of the plasma processing chamber; and exposing the substrate to the fluorine-free plasma to etch the oxide of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Christophe Vallee, Mingmei Wang
  • Patent number: 11804380
    Abstract: A method of high-throughput dry etching of a film by proton-mediated catalyst formation. The method includes providing a substrate having a film thereon containing silicon-oxygen components, silicon-nitrogen components, or both, introducing an etching gas in the process chamber, plasma-exciting the etching gas, and exposing the film to the plasma-excited etching gas to etch the film. In one example, the etching gas contains at least three different gases that include a fluorine-containing gas, a hydrogen-containing gas, and a nitrogen-containing gas, plasma-exciting the etching gas. In another example, the etching gas contains at least four different gases that include a fluorine-containing gas, a hydrogen-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a silicon-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Du Zhang, Yu-Hao Tsai, Mingmei Wang
  • Publication number: 20230307242
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes patterning a mask over a dielectric layer and etching openings in the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The etching includes flowing an etchant, a polar or H-containing gas, and a phosphorus-halide gas. The method may further include forming contacts by filling the openings with a conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Tsai, Du Zhang, Mingmei Wang, Takatoshi Orui, Motoi Takahashi, Masahiko Yokoi, Koki Tanaka, Yoshihide Kihara
  • Patent number: 11538692
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate includes performing a cyclic process including a plurality of cycles, where the cyclic process includes: forming, in a plasma processing chamber, a passivation layer over sidewalls of a recess in a carbon-containing layer, by exposing the substrate to a first gas including boron, silicon, or aluminum, the carbon-containing layer being disposed over a substrate, purging the plasma processing chamber with a second gas including a hydrogen-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, or molecular nitrogen, and exposing the substrate to a plasma generated from the second gas, where each cycle of the plurality of cycles extends the recess vertically into the carbon-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yunho Kim, Du Zhang, Shihsheng Chang, Mingmei Wang, Andrew Metz
  • Publication number: 20220375759
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate includes performing a cyclic process including a plurality of cycles, where the cyclic process includes: forming, in a plasma processing chamber, a passivation layer over sidewalls of a recess in a carbon-containing layer, by exposing the substrate to a first gas including boron, silicon, or aluminum, the carbon-containing layer being disposed over a substrate, purging the plasma processing chamber with a second gas including a hydrogen-containing gas, an oxygen-containing gas, or molecular nitrogen, and exposing the substrate to a plasma generated from the second gas, where each cycle of the plurality of cycles extends the recess vertically into the carbon-containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Yunho Kim, Du Zhang, Shihsheng Chang, Mingmei Wang, Andrew Metz