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).

  • Publication number: 20210371978
    Abstract: Direct liquid injection systems and vapor deposition systems including direct liquid injection systems are disclosed. Exemplary direct liquid injection systems and related vapor deposition systems can be configured for forming vanadium containing layer on a substrate by cyclical deposition processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Dieter Pierreux, Bert Jongbloed, Werner Knaepen, Charles Dezelah, Qi Xie, Petri Raisanen, Hannu A. Huotari, Paul Ma, Vamsi Paruchuri
  • Publication number: 20210348267
    Abstract: A method may comprise disposing vanadium tetrachloride in a delivery vessel; delivering the vanadium tetrachloride to a reaction chamber in fluid communication with the delivery vessel; mitigating the delivery of decomposition products of the vanadium tetrachloride to the reaction chamber; and/or applying the vanadium tetrachloride to a substrate disposed in the reaction chamber to form a layer comprising vanadium on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Charles Dezelah, Qi Xie, Petri Raisanen, Dieter Pierreux, Bert Jongbloed, Werner Knaepen, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20210340671
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a solid source precursor delivery system. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a solid source precursor vessel that can be utilized to vaporize a supply of solid precursor stored within the vessel. The disclosed source vessel utilizes a plurality of individual cavities or pockets within the interior of the vessel. Each individual pocket may be loaded with precursor. In an arrangement, the pockets may be loaded with pre-formed blocks of compressed precursor material that typically have a higher density than was previously achieved when packing solid precursor within a source vessel. The increased density of the solid precursor material increases a capacity of the source vessel resulting in longer intervals between replacement and/or refilling the source vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jianqiu Huang, Ankit Kimtee, Sudhanshu Biyani, Jonathan Robert Bakke, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20210327715
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing chromium nitride layers onto a surface of the substrate and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a deposition process, depositing a chromium nitride layer onto a surface of the substrate. The deposition process can include providing a chromium precursor to the reaction chamber and separately providing a nitrogen reactant to the reaction chamber. The deposition process may be a thermal cyclical deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Qi Xie, Eric James Shero, Charles Dezelah, Giuseppe Alessio Verni, Petri Raisanen
  • Patent number: 11114294
    Abstract: A method for forming a layer comprising SiOC on a substrate is disclosed. An exemplary method includes selectively depositing a layer comprising silicon nitride on the first material relative to the second material and depositing the layer comprising SiOC overlying the layer comprising silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Bed Prasad Sharma, Shankar Swaminathan, YoungChol Byun, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20210249263
    Abstract: Methods for forming hafnium oxide within a three-dimensional structure, such as in a high aspect ratio hole, are provided. The methods may include depositing a first hafnium-containing material, such as hafnium nitride or hafnium carbide, in a three-dimensional structure and subsequently converting the first hafnium-containing material to a second hafnium-containing material comprising hafnium oxide by exposing the first hafnium-containing material to an oxygen reactant. The volume of the second hafnium-containing material may be greater than that of the first hafnium-containing material. Voids or seams formed during the deposition of the first hafnium-containing material in the three-dimensional structure may be filled by the expanded material after exposing the first hafnium-containing material to the oxygen reactant. Thus, the three-dimensional structure, such as a high aspect ratio hole, can be filled with hafnium oxide substantially free of voids or seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jiyeon Kim, Petri Raisanen, Sol Kim, Ying-Shen Kuo, Michael Schmotzer, Eric James Shero, Paul Ma
  • Publication number: 20210242011
    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: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Michael Eugene Givens, Qi Xie, Charles Dezelah, Giuseppe Alessio Verni
  • Publication number: 20210214846
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to embodiments of a showerhead assembly which can be used to deposit semiconductor layers using processes such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). The showerhead assembly has a showerhead which has an increased thickness which advantageously decreases reactor chamber size and decreases cycling time. Decreased cycling time can improve throughput and decrease costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Dinkar Nandwana, Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero, William George Petro, Herbert Terhorst, Gnyanesh Trivedi, Mark Olstad, Ankit Kimtee, Kyle Fondurulia, Michael Schmotzer, Jereld Lee Winkler
  • Publication number: 20210180184
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing vanadium nitride layers onto a surface of the substrate and structures and devices formed using the methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes using a cyclical deposition process, depositing a vanadium nitride layer onto a surface of the substrate. The cyclical deposition process can include providing a vanadium halide precursor to the reaction chamber and separately providing a nitrogen reactant to the reaction chamber. The cyclical deposition process may desirably be a thermal cyclical deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Giuseppe Alessio Verni, Qi Xie, Henri Jussila, Charles Dezelah, Jiyeon Kim, Eric James Shero, Paul Ma
  • Publication number: 20210118668
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to embodiments of a semiconductor deposition reactor manifold and methods of using the semiconductor deposition reactor manifold which can be used to deposit semiconductor layers using processes such as atomic layer deposition (ALD). The semiconductor deposition reactor manifold has a bore, a first supply channel, and a second supply channel. Advantageously, the first supply channel and the second supply channel merge with the bore in an offset fashion which leads to reduced cross-contamination within the supply channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Dinkar Nandwana, Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Todd Robert Dunn, William George Petro, Jereld Lee Winkler, Aniket Chitale
  • Publication number: 20210087679
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing device is disclosed. The device can include a reactor and a solid source vessel configured to supply a vaporized solid reactant to the reactor. A process control chamber can be disposed between the solid source vessel and the reactor. The device can include a valve upstream of the process control chamber. A control system can be configured to control operation of the valve based at least in part on feedback of measured pressure in the process control chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jereld Lee Winkler, Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Shankar Swaminathan, Bhushan Zope
  • Publication number: 20210079527
    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: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero, Kyle Fondurulia
  • Publication number: 20210071301
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical intermediate fill vessels. The fill vessel can include a proximate end, a distal end, and a base disposed at the proximate end that is configured to hold solid source chemical reactant therein. The intermediate fill vessel can further include a lid at the distal end comprising a second thermal conductor. The lid can include a chemical inlet, a carrier gas inlet, and a chemical outlet. The fill vessel can further include an intermediate layer that is disposed between the base and the lid. The intermediate layer may include an insulator that is configured to reduce heat flow between the base and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Ma, Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero
  • Publication number: 20210040613
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and methods for maintaining a precursor source vessel heater at a desired temperature are disclosed. The apparatus and methods can be used to maintain a desired temperature gradient within the precursor source vessel for improved integrity of the precursor source before delivery of the precursor to a reaction chamber. The apparatus and methods can also be used for rapid cooling of a source vessel for maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Carl Louis White, Eric James Shero, Kyle Fondurulia, Timothy James Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10892156
    Abstract: A method for forming a silicon nitride film on a substrate is disclosed. The method may include; forming a cyclical silicon nitride film on the substrate by a cyclical deposition process, wherein the cyclical deposition process comprises at least one of; contacting the substrate with a first reactant comprising a silicon halide source and contacting the substrate with a second reactant comprising a nitrogen source. The method may also include exposing the cyclical silicon nitride film to a plasma. Semiconductor device structures comprising a silicon nitride film are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Jacob Huffman Woodruff, Bed Sharma, Eric James Shero
  • Patent number: 10876205
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical vaporizer vessels and multiple chamber deposition modules. In some embodiments, a solid source chemical vaporizer includes a housing base and a housing lid. Some embodiments also include a first and second tray configured to be housed within the housing base, wherein each tray defines a first serpentine path adapted to hold solid source chemical and allow gas flow thereover. In some embodiments, a multiple chamber deposition module includes first and second vapor phase reaction chambers and a solid source chemical vaporizer vessel to supply each of the first and second vapor phase reaction chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Mohith Verghese, Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Kyle Fondurulia
  • Publication number: 20200373187
    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: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Raj Singu, Todd Robert Dunn, Carl Louis White, Herbert Terhorst, Eric James Shero, Bhushan Zope
  • Patent number: 10844486
    Abstract: A reactor having a housing that encloses a gas delivery system operatively connected to a reaction chamber and an exhaust assembly. The gas delivery system includes a plurality of gas lines for providing at least one process gas to the reaction chamber. The gas delivery system further includes a mixer for receiving the at least one process gas. The mixer is operatively connected to a diffuser that is configured to diffuse process gases. The diffuser is attached directly to an upper surface of the reaction chamber, thereby forming a diffuser volume therebetween. The diffuser includes at least one distribution surface that is configured to provide a flow restriction to the process gases as they pass through the diffuser volume before being introduced into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Eric James Shero, Mohith E. Verghese, Carl Louis White, Herbert Terhorst, Dan Maurice
  • Publication number: 20200340109
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and methods related to solid source chemical vaporizer vessels and multiple chamber deposition modules. In some embodiments, a solid source chemical vaporizer includes a housing base and a housing lid. Some embodiments also include a first and second tray configured to be housed within the housing base, wherein each tray defines a first serpentine path adapted to hold solid source chemical and allow gas flow thereover. In some embodiments, a multiple chamber deposition module includes first and second vapor phase reaction chambers and a solid source chemical vaporizer vessel to supply each of the first and second vapor phase reaction chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Mohith Verghese, Eric James Shero, Carl Louis White, Kyle Fondurulia
  • Publication number: 20200299836
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Dinkar Nandwana, Jereld Lee Winkler, Eric James Shero, Todd Robert Dunn, Carl Louis White