Patents by Inventor Ellie Y. Yieh
Ellie Y. Yieh 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).
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Patent number: 12085858Abstract: A method for enhancing a photoresist profile control includes applying a photoresist layer comprising a photoacid generator on an underlayer disposed on a material layer, exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer unprotected by a photomask to light radiation in a lithographic exposure process, providing a thermal energy to the photoresist layer in a post-exposure baking process, applying an electric field or a magnetic field while performing the post-exposure baking process, and drifting photoacid from the photoresist layer to a predetermined portion of the underlayer under the first portion of the photoresist layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2020Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Huixiong Dai, Srinivas D. Nemani, Steven Hiloong Welch, Mangesh Ashok Bangar, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20240249936Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for patterning a material layer on a substrate. The method includes forming a hard mask layer on a material layer disposed on a substrate. The material layer includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers alternately formed over the substrate. The method further includes performing a first etch process to form features in the material layer through the hard mask layer by supplying a first etching gas; performing an oxidation process to oxidize a sidewall of the features by supplying an oxidation gas; and performing a second etch process to etch the sidewall of the features formed in the material layer by suppling a second etching gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2023Publication date: July 25, 2024Inventors: Mang-Mang LING, Jong Mun KIM, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Ellie Y. YIEH
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Publication number: 20240234131Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include providing a silicon-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed in the processing region. The substrate may define a feature. The methods may include forming plasma effluents of the silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include depositing a silicon-containing material on the substrate. The methods may include providing an oxygen-containing precursor to the processing region, forming plasma effluents of the oxygen-containing precursor, and contacting the silicon-containing material with the plasma effluents of the oxygen-containing precursor to form a silicon-and-oxygen-containing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Purvam Dineshbhai Modi, Bhargav S. Citla, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20240160117Abstract: Apparatus and method for substrate processing are described herein. More specifically, the apparatus and method are directed towards apparatus and method for performing a field guided post exposure bake operation on a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus is a processing module (100) and includes an upper portion (102) with an electrode (400) and a base portion (104) which is configured to support a substrate (500) on a substrate support surface (159). The upper portion (102) and the base portion (104) are actuated toward and away from one another using one or more arms (112) and form a process volume (404). The process volume (404) is filled with a process fluid and the processing module (100) is rotated about an axis (A). An electric field is applied to the substrate (500) by the electrode (400) before the process fluid is drained from the process volume (404).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2021Publication date: May 16, 2024Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry LUBOMIRSKY, Kyle M. HANSON, Douglas A. BUCHBERGER, Jr., Alan L. TSO, Rahul KOZHIKKALKANDI, Paul R. MCHUGH, Jiayi SUN, Qiwei LIANG, Nithin Thomas ALEX, Lancelot HUANG, Ellie Y. YIEH
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Publication number: 20240145246Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include semiconductor processing methods. The methods may include providing a silicon-containing precursor and a dopant precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within the semiconductor processing chamber. A silicon-containing material may be formed on the substrate. The methods may include contacting the silicon-containing material with the silicon-containing precursor and the dopant precursor. The methods may include forming a doped silicon-containing material on the silicon-containing material. The methods may include oxidizing the substrate. The oxidizing may form an oxidized doped silicon-containing material. The methods may include etching the oxidized doped silicon-containing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yi Yang, In Soo Jung, Sean S. Kang, Srinivas D. Nemani, Papo Chen, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20240120195Abstract: A method includes forming a conductive material on a first dielectric layer, exposing the conductive material to aniline to produce a passivated surface of the conductive material, and after exposing the conductive material to aniline, forming a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer using a deposition process. The deposition process is a water-free and plasma-free deposition process, and the second dielectric layer does not form on the passivated surface of the conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Keith T. Wong, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh, Andrew C. Kummel, Yunil Cho, James Huang
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Publication number: 20240085810Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing post-exposure bake operations is described herein. After exposure of photoresist on a substrate, the substrate is heated during a baking process to facilitate protection of the resist. The baking process is performed in a vacuum environment at sub-atmospheric pressures. After baking at reduced pressure, the substrate is cooled. The cooling process is performed at sub-atmospheric pressures. Further development of the resist is performed at ambient pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Huixiong DAI, Mangesh Ashok BANGAR, Chih-An HSU, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Dmitry LUBOMIRSKY, Ellie Y. YIEH
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Patent number: 11914299Abstract: A method for enhancing the depth of focus process window during a lithography process includes applying a photoresist layer comprising a photoacid generator on a material layer disposed on a substrate, exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer unprotected by a photomask to light radiation in a lithographic exposure process, providing a thermal energy to the photoresist layer in a post-exposure baking process, applying an electric field or a magnetic field while performing the post-exposure baking process, and dynamically changing a frequency of the electric field as generated while providing the thermal energy to the photoresist layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Huixiong Dai, Mangesh Ashok Bangar, Srinivas D. Nemani, Christopher S. Ngai, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20240038527Abstract: A method includes depositing a flowable film on a substrate by providing a first input flow, the first input flow including plasma effluents of a first precursor, removing a portion of the flowable film from a sidewall of a feature defined within the substrate to obtain a remaining portion of the flowable film by providing a second input flow, the second input flow including plasma effluents of a second precursor, reducing hydrogen content of the remaining portion of the flowable film to obtain a densified film by providing a third input flow, the third input flow including plasma effluents of a third precursor, and treating the densified film in accordance with a film treatment process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Bhargav S. Citla, Srinivas D. Nemani, Purvam Modi, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Patent number: 11880137Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. In one example, a method of processing a substrate includes applying a photoresist layer comprising a photoacid generator to on a multi-layer disposed on a substrate, wherein the multi-layer comprises an underlayer formed from an organic material, inorganic material, or a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer unprotected by a photomask to a radiation light in a lithographic exposure process, and applying an electric field or a magnetic field to alter movement of photoacid generated from the photoacid generator substantially in a vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Huixiong Dai, Mangesh Ashok Bangar, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh, Steven Hiloong Welch, Christopher S. Ngai
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Patent number: 11881411Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for performing an annealing process on a metal containing layer in TFT display applications, semiconductor or memory applications. In one example, a method of forming a metal containing layer on a substrate includes supplying an oxygen containing gas mixture on a substrate in a processing chamber, the substrate comprising a metal containing layer disposed on an optically transparent substrate, maintaining the oxygen containing gas mixture in the processing chamber at a process pressure between about 2 bar and about 50 bar, and thermally annealing the metal containing layer in the presence of the oxygen containing gas mixture.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kaushal K. Singh, Mei-Yee Shek, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Patent number: 11862458Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include depositing a flowable film on a semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the silicon-containing precursor. The processing region may be at least partially defined between a faceplate and a substrate support on which the semiconductor substrate is seated. A bias power may be applied to the substrate support from a bias power source. The methods may include forming a plasma of a hydrogen-containing precursor within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include etching the flowable film from a sidewall of the feature within the semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the hydrogen-containing precursor. The methods may include densifying remaining flowable film within the feature defined within the semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the hydrogen-containing precursor.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Bhargav S. Citla, Soham Asrani, Joshua Rubnitz, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20230386829Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for forming silicon based gapfill within substrate features. A flowable silicon film is formed within the feature with a greater thickness on the bottom and top surfaces than the sidewall surface. An etch plasma removes the silicon film from the sidewall surface. A conversion plasma is used to convert the silicon film to a silicon based gapfill (e.g., silicon oxide). In some embodiments, the silicon film is preferentially converted on the top and bottom surface before being etched from the sidewall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Soham Asrani, Bhargav S. Citla, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Publication number: 20230377958Abstract: Methods for forming a transition metal material on a substrate and thermal processing such metal containing material in a cluster processing system are provided. In one embodiment, a method for a device structure for semiconductor devices includes forming a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide layer on a substrate in a first processing chamber disposed in a cluster processing system, thermally treating the two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide layer to form a treated metal layer in a second processing chamber disposed in the cluster processing system, and forming a capping layer on the treated metal layer in a third processing chamber disposed in the cluster processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Keith Tatseun WONG, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Ellie Y. YIEH
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Publication number: 20230377875Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include depositing a flowable film on a semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the silicon-containing precursor. The processing region may be at least partially defined between a faceplate and a substrate support on which the semiconductor substrate is seated. A bias power may be applied to the substrate support from a bias power source. The methods may include forming a plasma of a hydrogen-containing precursor within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include etching the flowable film from a sidewall of the feature within the semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the hydrogen-containing precursor. The methods may include densifying remaining flowable film within the feature defined within the semiconductor substrate with plasma effluents of the hydrogen-containing precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Bhargav S. Citla, Soham Asrani, Joshua Rubnitz, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
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Patent number: 11798606Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein generally relate to patterning semiconductor film stacks. Unlike in conventional embodiments, the film stacks herein are patterned without the need of etching the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack. Instead, the film stack is etched before the MTJ stack is deposited such that the spin on carbon layer and the anti-reflective coating layer are completely removed and a trench is formed within the dielectric capping layer and the oxide layer. Thereafter, MTJ stacks are deposited on the buffer layer and on the dielectric capping layer. An oxide capping layer is deposited such that it covers the MTJ stacks. An oxide fill layer is deposited over the oxide capping layer and the film stack is polished by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The embodiments described herein advantageously result in no damage to the MTJ stacks since etching is not required.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: John O. Dukovic, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh, Praburam Gopalraja, Steven Hiloong Welch, Bhargav S. Citla
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Publication number: 20230326925Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide semiconductor devices CFET in particular and methods of manufacturing such devices having a fully strained superlattice structure with channel layers that are substantially free of defects and release layers having a reduced selective removal rate. The CFET described herein comprise a vertically stacked superlattice structure on a substrate, the vertically stacked superlattice structure comprising: a first hGAA structure on the substrate; a sacrificial layer on a top surface of the first hGAA structure, the sacrificial layer comprising silicon germanium (SiGe) having a germanium content in a range of from greater than 0% to 50% on an atomic basis; and a second hGAA structure on a top surface of the sacrificial layer. Each of the first hGAA and the second hGAA comprise alternating layers of nanosheet channel layer that comprise silicon (Si) and nanosheet release layer that comprise doped silicon germanium (SiGe).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Anthony Cockburn, Vanessa Pena, Daniel Philippe Cellier, John Tolle, Thomas Kirschenheiter, Wei Hong, Ellie Y. Yieh, Mehul Naik, Seshadri Ramaswami
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Publication number: 20230298893Abstract: An annealing system is provided that includes a chamber body that defines a chamber, a support to hold a workpiece and a robot to insert the workpiece into the chamber. The annealing system also includes a first gas supply to provide a hydrogen gas, a pressure source coupled to the chamber to raise a pressure in the chamber to at least 5 atmospheres, and a controller configured to cause the robot to transport a workpiece having a metal film thereon into the chamber, where the metal film contains fluorine on a surface or embedded within the metal film, to cause the first gas supply to supply the hydrogen gas to the chamber and form atomic hydrogen therein, and to cause the pressure source to raise a pressure in the chamber to at least 5 atmospheres while the workpiece is held on the support in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Keith Tatseun WONG, Thomas Jongwan KWON, Sean KANG, Ellie Y. YIEH
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Patent number: 11764058Abstract: Methods of reducing wafer bowing in 3D DRAM devices are described using a 3-color process. A plurality of film stacks are formed on a substrate surface, each of the film stacks comprises two doped SiGe layers having different dopant amounts and/or Si:Ge ratios and a doped silicon layer. 3D DRAM devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Arvind Kumar, Mahendra Pakala, Ellie Y. Yieh, John Tolle, Thomas Kirschenheiter, Anchuan Wang, Zihui Li
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Patent number: 11756828Abstract: Methods for forming a transition metal material on a substrate and thermal processing such metal containing material in a cluster processing system are provided. In one embodiment, a method for a device structure for semiconductor devices includes forming a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide layer on a substrate in a first processing chamber disposed in a cluster processing system, thermally treating the two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide layer to form a treated metal layer in a second processing chamber disposed in the cluster processing system, and forming a capping layer on the treated metal layer in a third processing chamber disposed in the cluster processing system.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Keith Tatseun Wong, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh