Patents by Inventor Eric James Shero

Eric James Shero 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: 11742198
    Abstract: A method for forming a layer comprising SiOCN on a substrate is disclosed. An exemplary method includes thermally depositing the layer comprising SiOCN on a surface of the substrate. The layer comprising SiOCN can be used for various applications, including spacers, etch stop layers, and etch resistant layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: YoungChol Byun, Bed Prasad Sharma, Shankar Swaminathan, Eric James Shero
  • Patent number: 11742189
    Abstract: Multi-zone reactors, systems including a multi-zone reactor, and methods of using the systems and reactors are disclosed. Exemplary multi-zone reactors include a movable susceptor assembly and a moveable plate. The movable susceptor assembly and movable plate can move vertically between reaction zones of a reactor to expose a substrate to multiple processes or reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Mohith Verghese, Eric James Shero, Todd Robert Dunn
  • Publication number: 20230235454
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to temperature zone control systems can include a reactant source cabinet that is configured to be at least partially evacuated, a vessel base that is configured to hold solid source chemical reactant therein, and a lid that is coupled to a distal portion of the vessel base. The lid may include one or more lid valves. The system may further include a plurality of gas panel valves that are configured to deliver gas from a gas source to the vessel. The system may include a heating element that is configured to heat the one or more lid valves. The system may include a heat shield, a first portion of which is disposed between the one or more lid valves and the vessel base. A second portion of the heat shield may be disposed between the first heating element and the plurality of gas panel valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero, Kyle Fondurulia
  • Publication number: 20230230813
    Abstract: A system and method for treating a deposition reactor are disclosed. The system and method remove or mitigate formation of residue in a gas-phase reactor used to deposit doped metal films, such as aluminum-doped titanium carbide films or aluminum-doped tantalum carbide films. The method includes a step of exposing a reaction chamber to a treatment reactant that mitigates formation of species that lead to residue formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Suvi Haukka, Eric James Shero, Fred Alokozai, Dong Li, Jereld Lee Winkler, Xichong Chen
  • Publication number: 20230207377
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing device comprises a susceptor assembly comprising a wafer support configured to support a wafer. The wafer support comprises a wafer support body configured to support the wafer, a purge channel extending laterally from an inner portion of the wafer support body to an outer portion of the wafer support body, a first plenum channel disposed at the outer portion of the wafer support and in fluid communication with the purge channel, and an outlet to deliver purge gas to an edge of the wafer, the outlet in fluid communication with the first plenum channel, a purge gas supply hole on a surface opposite to the wafer support body. The purge gas supply hole is in fluid communication with the purge channel, and a plurality of first purge holes fluidly communicated with the first plenum channel and the purge channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Rohan Vijay Rane, Herbert Terhorst, Eric James Shero, Ankit Kimtee, Jereld Lee Winkler, Michael Schmotzer, Shuyang Zhang, Todd Robert Dunn, Shubham Garg
  • Publication number: 20230197796
    Abstract: Threshold voltage (Vt) tuning layers may be sensitive to etching by reactants used to deposit overlying gate material, such as metal nitride. Methods for depositing Vt tuning layers are provided. In some embodiments Vt tuning layers may comprise a Vt tuning material in a neutral matrix. In some embodiments, processes for reducing or eliminating the etching of Vt tuning layers by halide reactants are described. In some embodiments a Vt tuning layer, such as a metal oxide layer, is treated by a nitridation process following deposition and prior to subsequent deposition of a metal nitride capping layer. In some embodiments an etch-protective layer, such as a NbO layer, is deposited over a Vt tuning layer prior to deposition of an overlying metal nitride layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Fu Tang, Eric James Shero, Gejian Zhao, Eric Jen Cheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20230183861
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical sublimator vessels and corresponding deposition modules. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a housing configured to hold solid chemical reactant therein. A lid may be disposed on a proximal portion of the housing. The lid can include a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and define a serpentine flow path within a distal portion of the lid. The lid can be adapted to allow gas flow within the flow path. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a filter that is disposed between the serpentine flow path and the distal portion of the housing. The filter can have a porosity configured to restrict a passage of a solid chemical reactant therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Mohith E. Verghese, Kyle Fondurulia, Timothy James Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20230160057
    Abstract: Molybdenum (Mo) metal-on-metal (MoM) deposition methods for providing true bottom-up fill in vias and/or other gap features in device structures. These device structures contain metal at the bottom surface and have dielectric sidewalls. The deposition process provides molybdenum growth only, in some cases, on the metal film/layer to provide a selective process that can be called a metal-on-metal (MoM) process. The Mo MoM deposition process described herein are not limited to thin films (e.g., films less than 50 ?) and can be used to deposit thicker films (e.g., greater than 50 ? in some cases and greater than 200 ? in other useful cases) on metal surfaces while no, or substantially no, deposition is found on dielectric surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jiyeon Kim, YoungChol Byun, Petri Raisanen, Dong Li, Eric James Shero, Yasiel Cabrera, Arul Vigneswar Ravichandran, Eric Christopher Stevens, Paul Ma
  • Patent number: 11634812
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical sublimator vessels and corresponding deposition modules. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a housing configured to hold solid chemical reactant therein. A lid may be disposed on a proximal portion of the housing. The lid can include a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and define a serpentine flow path within a distal portion of the lid. The lid can be adapted to allow gas flow within the flow path. The solid source chemical sublimator can include a filter that is disposed between the serpentine flow path and the distal portion of the housing. The filter can have a porosity configured to restrict a passage of a solid chemical reactant therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Mohith E. Verghese, Kyle Fondurulia, Timothy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11624113
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to temperature zone control systems can include a reactant source cabinet that is configured to be at least partially evacuated, a vessel base that is configured to hold solid source chemical reactant therein, and a lid that is coupled to a distal portion of the vessel base. The lid may include one or more lid valves. The system may further include a plurality of gas panel valves that are configured to deliver gas from a gas source to the vessel. The system may include a heating element that is configured to heat the one or more lid valves. The system may include a heat shield, a first portion of which is disposed between the one or more lid valves and the vessel base. A second portion of the heat shield may be disposed between the first heating element and the plurality of gas panel valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero, Kyle Fondurulia
  • Publication number: 20230101229
    Abstract: A multiple-layer method for forming material within a gap on a surface of a substrate is disclosed. An exemplary method includes forming a layer of first material overlying the substrate and forming a layer of second (e.g., initially flowable) material within a region of the first material to thereby at least partially fill the gap with material in a seamless and/or void less manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Hannu Huotari, Viljami Pore, Timothee Blanquart, René Henricus Jozef Vervuurt, Charles Dezelah, Giuseppe Alessio Verni, Ren-Jie Chang, Michael Givens, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20230078233
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing vanadium and/or indium layers onto a surface of a substrate and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a cyclical deposition process, depositing a vanadium and/or indium layer onto the surface of the substrate. The cyclical deposition process can include providing a vanadium and/or indium precursor to the reaction chamber and separately providing a reactant to the reaction chamber. The cyclical deposition process may desirably be a thermal cyclical deposition process. Exemplary structures can include field effect transistor structures, such as gate all around structures. The vanadium and/or indium layers can be used, for example, as barrier layers or liners, as work function layers, as dipole shifter layers, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Michael Eugene Givens, Qi Xie, Charles Dezelah, Giuseppe Alessio Verni
  • Publication number: 20230069359
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to semiconductor processing device including a manifold including a bore configured to deliver a gas to a reaction chamber, the manifold including a first block mounted to a second block, the first and second mounted blocks cooperating to at least partially define the bore. The manifold may further comprise an insulator cap disposed about the first block or the second block. The semiconductor processing device may comprise at least three valve blocks mounted to the second block so that a precursor backflow is prevented. Heater rod(s) can extend through the second block to a location adjacent the first block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Shuyang Zheng, Jereld Lee Winkler, Ankit Kimtee, Eric James Shero, Mimoh Kwatra, Dinkar Nandwana, Todd Robert Dunn, Carl Louis White
  • Publication number: 20230042784
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system for delivering large capacity vaporized precursor from solid or liquid precursor source is disclosed. The system utilizes a carrier gas to feed the vaporized precursor to a remotely located process zone where multiple process modules are disposed. The system comprises a first and second buffer volumes configured to reduce pressure drop and increase delivery rates. A method for delivering a large capacity vaporized precursor to the remotely located process zone are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jereld Lee Winkler, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20220403513
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing two or more gases prior to entering a reaction chamber, reactor systems including the apparatus, and methods of using the apparatus and systems are disclosed. The systems and methods as described herein can be used to, for example, pulse a mixture of two or more precursors to a reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jereld Lee Winkler, Paul Ma, Eric James Shero
  • Patent number: 11521851
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing vanadium and/or indium layers onto a surface of a substrate and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a cyclical deposition process, depositing a vanadium and/or indium layer onto the surface of the substrate. The cyclical deposition process can include providing a vanadium and/or indium precursor to the reaction chamber and separately providing a reactant to the reaction chamber. The cyclical deposition process may desirably be a thermal cyclical deposition process. Exemplary structures can include field effect transistor structures, such as gate all around structures. The vanadium and/or indium layers can be used, for example, as barrier layers or liners, as work function layers, as dipole shifter layers, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Michael Eugene Givens, Qi Xie, Charles Dezelah, Giuseppe Alessio Verni
  • Publication number: 20220380895
    Abstract: A workpiece susceptor body can include a front face configured to support a workpiece, a back face opposite the front face, a workpiece contact zone at least partially forming a support boundary on an inner portion of the front face, and a plurality of axial channels disposed within the susceptor body. The workpiece contact zone can be disposed radially inward of an outer edge of a workpiece positioned on the front face in a processing configuration. Each of the plurality of axial channels may connect to corresponding openings extending into an outer portion of the front face. Each of the openings may be disposed radially outward of the workpiece contact zone of the susceptor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Raj Singu, Todd Robert Dunn, Carl Louis White, Herbert Terhorst, Eric James Shero, Bhushan Zope
  • Patent number: 11492701
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to semiconductor processing device including a manifold including a bore configured to deliver a gas to a reaction chamber, the manifold including a first block mounted to a second block, the first and second mounted blocks cooperating to at least partially define the bore. A supply channel provides fluid communication between a gas source and the bore, and the supply channel is disposed at least partially in the second block. A metallic seal is disposed about the bore at an interface between the first and second block. Advantageously, the metallic seal improves sealing between the interface between the first block and the second block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Dinkar Nandwana, Jereld Lee Winkler, Eric James Shero, Todd Robert Dunn, Carl Louis White
  • Publication number: 20220351958
    Abstract: A method for selectively depositing silicon nitride on a first material relative to a second material is disclosed. An exemplary method includes treating the first material, and then selectively depositing a layer comprising silicon nitride on the second material relative to the first material. Exemplary methods can further include treating the deposited silicon nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Paul Ma, Bed Prasad Sharma, Shankar Swaminathan
  • Publication number: 20220349060
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a manifold for uniform vapor deposition is disclosed. The semiconductor device can include a manifold comprising a bore and having an inner wall. The inner wall can at least partially define the bore. A first axial portion of the bore can extend along a longitudinal axis of the manifold. A supply channel can provide fluid communication between a gas source and the bore. The supply channel can comprise a slit defining an at least partially annular gap through the inner wall of the manifold to deliver a gas from the gas source to the bore. The at least partially annular gap can be revolved about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: David Marquardt, Andrew Michael Yednak, III, Eric James Shero, Herbert Terhorst