Patents by Inventor Feng Q. Liu

Feng Q. Liu 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: 20240145232
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first layer and a second layer on a substrate, forming a passivation layer on a surface of the first layer without forming the passivation layer on a surface of the second layer by exposing the first layer and the second layer to a benzyl compound, and after forming the passivation layer on the first layer, performing at least one of: depositing a third layer on the second layer, or etching the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Mark J. Saly, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 11946135
    Abstract: Processing methods for forming iridium-containing films at low temperatures are described. The methods comprise exposing a substrate to iridium hexafluoride and a reactant to form iridium metal or iridium silicide films. Methods for enhancing selectivity and tuning the silicon content of some films are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Hua Chung, Schubert Chu, Mei Chang, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 11942330
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of etching gallium oxide from a semiconductor substrate may include flowing a first reagent in a substrate processing region housing the semiconductor substrate. The first reagent may include HX. X may be at least one of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine. The semiconductor substrate may include an exposed region of gallium oxide. Fluorinating the exposed region of gallium oxide may form a gallium halide and H2O. The methods may include flowing a second reagent in the substrate processing region. The second reagent may be at least one of trimethylgallium, tin acetylacetonate, tetramethylsilane, and trimethyltin chloride. The second reagent may promote a ligand exchange where a methyl group may be transferred to the gallium halide to form a volatile Me2GaY or Me3Ga. Y may be at least one of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine from the second reagent. The methods may include recessing a surface of the gallium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Lisa J. Enman, Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Mark J. Saly
  • Patent number: 11894233
    Abstract: Methods of depositing platinum group metal films of high purity, low resistivity, and good conformality are described. A platinum group metal film is formed in the absence of an oxidant. The platinum group metal film is selectively deposited on a conductive substrate at a temperature less than 200° C. by using an organic platinum group metal precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixiong Yang, Wei V. Tang, Seshadri Ganguli, Sang Ho Yu, Feng Q. Liu, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Naomi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11891690
    Abstract: A method of forming a molybdenum film by oxidation and reduction is disclosed. A molybdenum oxide film is formed by CVD or ALD using a halide free organometallic molybdenum precursor. The molybdenum oxide film contains low amounts of carbon impurities. The molybdenum oxide film is reduced to form a highly pure molybdenum film. The molybdenum film has low resistance and properties similar to bulk molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Alexander Jansen, Mark Saly
  • Publication number: 20230382933
    Abstract: Molybdenum(0) and coordination complexes are described. Methods for depositing molybdenum-containing films on a substrate are described. The substrate is exposed to a molybdenum precursor and a reactant to form the molybdenum-containing film (e.g., elemental molybdenum, molybdenum oxide, molybdenum carbide, molybdenum silicide, molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum nitride). The exposures can be sequential or simultaneous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandan Kr Barik, John Sudijono, Chandan Das, Doreen Wei Ying Yong, Mark Saly, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Feng Q. Liu
  • Publication number: 20230386833
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for selectively removing metal material from the top surface and sidewalls of a feature. The metal material which is covered by a flowable polymer material remains unaffected. In some embodiments, the metal material is formed by physical vapor deposition resulting in a relatively thin sidewall thickness. Any metal material remaining on the sidewall after removal of the metal material from the top surface may be etched by an additional etch process. The resulting metal layer at the bottom of the feature facilitates selective metal gapfill of the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Liqi Wu, Feng Q. Liu, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, James Hugh Connolly, Zhimin Qi, Jie Zhang, Wei Dou, Aixi Zhang, Mark Saly, Jiang Lu, Rongjun Wang, David Thompson, Xianmin Tang
  • Patent number: 11787008
    Abstract: A polishing station for polishing a substrate using a polishing slurry is disclosed. The polishing station includes a substrate carrier having a substrate-receiving surface and a rotatable platen having a polishing pad disposed on a platen surface, where the polishing pad has a polishing surface facing the substrate-receiving surface. The polishing station includes an electromagnetic assembly disposed over the platen surface. The electromagnetic assembly includes an array of electromagnetic devices that are each operable to generate a magnetic field that is configured to pass through the polishing surface. The magnetic fields generated by the array of electromagnetic devices are oriented and configured to induce an electromagnetic force on a plurality of charged particles disposed in a polishing slurry disposed on the polishing surface. The applied magnetic field is configured to induce movement of the plurality of charged particles in a direction parallel or orthogonal to the polishing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xingfeng Wang, Jianshe Tang, Feng Q. Liu, David M. Gage, Stephen Jew
  • Publication number: 20230317516
    Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing on metallic surfaces are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosure utilize a metal-carbonyl containing precursor to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on metallic surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Muthukumar Kaliappan, Michael Haverty, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Mark Saly, Aaron Dangerfield, Michael L. McSwiney, Feng Q. Liu, Xiangjin Xie
  • Publication number: 20230295794
    Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing blocking layers on conductive surfaces over dielectric surfaces are described. In some embodiments, a 4-8 membered substituted heterocycle is exposed to a substrate to selectively form a blocking layer. In some embodiments, a layer is selectively deposited on the dielectric surface after the blocking layer is formed. In some embodiments, the blocking layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Aaron Dangerfield, Feng Q. Liu, Mark Saly, Michael Haverty, Muthukumar Kaliappan
  • Patent number: 11760768
    Abstract: Molybdenum(0) and coordination complexes are described. Methods for depositing molybdenum-containing films on a substrate are described. The substrate is exposed to a molybdenum precursor and a reactant to form the molybdenum-containing film (e.g., elemental molybdenum, molybdenum oxide, molybdenum carbide, molybdenum silicide, molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum nitride). The exposures can be sequential or simultaneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandan Kr Barik, John Sudijono, Chandan Das, Doreen Wei Ying Yong, Mark Saly, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Feng Q. Liu
  • Publication number: 20230227975
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors and methods of depositing high purity metal films are discussed. Some embodiments utilize a method comprising exposing a substrate surface to an organometallic precursor comprising one or more of molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), osmium (Os), technetium (Tc), manganese (Mn), rhenium (Re) or ruthenium (Ru), and an iodine-containing reactant comprising a species having a formula RIx, where R is one or more of a C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, or C2-C10 alkynyl group, I is an iodine group and x is in a range of 1 to 4 to form a carbon-less iodine-containing metal film. Some embodiments advantageously provide methods of forming metal films having low carbon content (e.g., having greater than or equal to 95% metal species on an atomic basis), without using an oxidizing agent or a reductant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Mark Saly, David Thompson, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, Joung Joo Lee
  • Publication number: 20230227968
    Abstract: Processing methods for forming iridium-containing films at low temperatures are described. The methods comprise exposing a substrate to iridium hexafluoride and a reactant to form iridium metal or iridium silicide films. Methods for enhancing selectivity and tuning the silicon content of some films are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Hua Chung, Schubert Chu, Mei Chang, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 11702733
    Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing blocking layers on conductive surfaces over dielectric surfaces are described. In some embodiments, a 4-8 membered substituted heterocycle is exposed to a substrate to selectively form a blocking layer. In some embodiments, a layer is selectively deposited on the dielectric surface after the blocking layer is formed. In some embodiments, the blocking layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Aaron Dangerfield, Feng Q. Liu, Mark Saly, Michael Haverty, Muthukumar Kaliappan
  • Patent number: 11643721
    Abstract: Processing methods for forming iridium-containing films at low temperatures are described. The methods comprise exposing a substrate to iridium hexafluoride and a reactant to form iridium metal or iridium silicide films. Methods for enhancing selectivity and tuning the silicon content of some films are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Hua Chung, Schubert Chu, Mei Chang, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20230025937
    Abstract: Methods of depositing platinum group metal films of high purity, low resistivity, and good conformality are described. A platinum group metal film is formed in the absence of an oxidant. The platinum group metal film is selectively deposited on a conductive substrate at a temperature less than 200° C. by using an organic platinum group metal precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixiong Yang, Wei V. Tang, Seshadri Ganguli, Sang Ho Yu, Feng Q. Liu, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Naomi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20230002888
    Abstract: Methods of depositing high purity metal films are discussed. Some embodiments utilize a method comprising exposing a substrate surface to an organometallic precursor comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), iridium (Ir), nickel (Ni) and ruthenium (Ru) and an iodine-containing reactant comprising a species having a formula RIx, where R is one or more of a C0-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group and x is in a range of 1 to 4 to form a carbon-less iodine-containing metal film; and exposing the carbon-less iodine-containing metal film to a reductant to form a metal film. Some embodiments deposit a metal film with greater than or equal to 90% metal species on an atomic basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Mark Saly, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20220372616
    Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing blocking layers on conductive surfaces over dielectric surfaces are described. In some embodiments, a 4-8 membered substituted heterocycle is exposed to a substrate to selectively form a blocking layer. In some embodiments, a layer is selectively deposited on the dielectric surface after the blocking layer is formed. In some embodiments, the blocking layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Aaron Dangerfield, Feng Q. Liu, Mark Saly, Michael Haverty, Muthukumar Kaliappan
  • Publication number: 20220356197
    Abstract: Molybdenum(0) and coordination complexes are described. Methods for depositing molybdenum-containing films on a substrate are described. The substrate is exposed to a molybdenum precursor and a reactant to form the molybdenum-containing film (e.g., elemental molybdenum, molybdenum oxide, molybdenum carbide, molybdenum silicide, molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum nitride). The exposures can be sequential or simultaneous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandan Kr Barik, John Sudijono, Chandan Das, Doreen Wei Ying Yong, Mark Saly, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Feng Q. Liu
  • Patent number: 11488830
    Abstract: Methods of depositing platinum group metal films of high purity, low resistivity, and good conformality are described. A platinum group metal film is formed in the absence of an oxidant. The platinum group metal film is selectively deposited on a conductive substrate at a temperature less than 200° C. by using an organic platinum group metal precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yixiong Yang, Wei V. Tang, Seshadri Ganguli, Sang Ho Yu, Feng Q. Liu, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Naomi Yoshida