Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Tomimori

Hiroaki Tomimori 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: 7786005
    Abstract: An increase of the via resistance resulted due to the presence of the altered layer that has been formed and grown after the formation of the via hole can be effectively prevented, thereby providing an improved reliability of the semiconductor device. A method includes: forming a TiN film on the semiconductor substrate; forming an interlayer insulating film on a surface of the TiN film; forming a resist film on a surface of the interlayer insulating film; etching the semiconductor substrate having the resist film formed thereon to form an opening, thereby partially exposing the TiN film; plasma-processing the exposed portion of the TiN film to remove an altered layer formed in the exposed portion of the TiN film; and stripping the resist film via a high temperature-plasma processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamamoto, Masashige Moritoki, Takashi Shimane, Kazumi Saito, Hiroaki Tomimori, Takamasa Itou, Kousei Ushijima, Katsuro Tateyama
  • Patent number: 7718532
    Abstract: According to the present invention, high-k film can be etched to provide a desired geometry without damaging the silicon underlying material. A silicon oxide film 52 is formed on a silicon substrate 50 by thermal oxidation, and a high dielectric constant insulating film 54 comprising HfSiOx is formed thereon. Thereafter, polycrystalline silicon layer 56 and high dielectric constant insulating film 54 are selectively removed in stages by a dry etching through a mask of the resist layer 58, and subsequently, the residual portion of the high dielectric constant insulating film 54 and the silicon oxide film 52 are selectively removed by wet etching through a mask of polycrystalline silicon layer 56. A liquid mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid is employed for the etchant solution. The temperature of the etchant solution is preferably equal to or lower than 200 degree C., and more preferably equal to or less than 180 degree C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Toshiyuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7592266
    Abstract: The removing solution containing a cerium (IV) nitrate salt, periodic acid or a hypochlorite can be applied to metals containing copper, silver or palladium and also to metals containing other metals having a relatively large oxidation-reduction potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori
  • Patent number: 7560372
    Abstract: An oxide film formed on the surface of copper film of an electrode pad is cleaned by oxalic acid after unevenness is formed on the surface of copper film by treating the surface with organic acid. Thereby, stable resistance is obtained when carrying out a characteristic inspection by bringing a probe into contact with the electrode pad, and it is easily recognized by observation through a microscope that the probe is brought into contact with the electrode pad. In addition, wettability with respect to solder is satisfactory, and it is possible to favorably form a solder bump on the electrode pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Kaoru Mikagi, Akira Furuya, Tetsuya Tao
  • Publication number: 20080081445
    Abstract: According to the present invention, high-k film can be etched to provide a desired geometry without damaging the silicon underlying material. A silicon oxide film 52 is formed on a silicon substrate 50 by thermal oxidation, and a high dielectric constant insulating film 54 comprising HfSiOx is formed thereon. Thereafter, polycrystalline silicon layer 56 and high dielectric constant insulating film 54 are selectively removed in stages by a dry etching through a mask of the resist layer 58, and subsequently, the residual portion of the high dielectric constant insulating film 54 and the silicon oxide film 52 are selectively removed by wet etching through a mask of polycrystalline silicon layer 56. A liquid mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid is employed for the etchant solution. The temperature of the etchant solution is preferably equal to or lower than 200 degree C., and more preferably equal to or less than 180 degree C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicants: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Toshiyuki Iwamoto
  • Publication number: 20080066779
    Abstract: The removing solution containing a cerium (IV) nitrate salt, periodic acid or a hypochlorite can be applied to metals containing copper, silver or palladium and also to metals containing other metals having a relatively large oxidation-reduction potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidemitsu AOKI, Hiroaki TOMIMORI
  • Patent number: 7312186
    Abstract: A cleaning solution for semiconductor substrates comprising a nonionic surface active agent of the formula (1) and/or the formula (2), a chelating agent and a chelating accelerator: CH3—(CH2)l—O—(CmH2mO)n—X ??(1) wherein l, m and n independently represent a positive number, and X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; CH3—(CH2)a—O—(CbH2bO)d—(CxH2xO)y—X ??(2) wherein a, b, d, x and y independently represent a positive number, b and x are different, and X represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takashima, Yoshiko Kasama, Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki
  • Patent number: 7312160
    Abstract: The removing solution containing a cerium (IV) nitrate salt, periodic acid or a hypochlorite can be applied to metals containing copper, silver or palladium and also to metals containing other metals having a relatively large oxidation-reduction potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori
  • Patent number: 7268087
    Abstract: In order to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device which can improve the interconnection lifetime, while controlling the increase in resistance thereof, and, in addition, can raise the manufacturing stability; by applying a plasma treatment to the surface of a copper interconnection 17 with a source gas comprising a nitrogen element being used, a copper nitride layer 24 is formed, and thereafter a silicon nitride film 18 is formed. Hereat, under the copper nitride layer 24, a thin copper silicide layer 25 is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori, Norio Okada, Tatsuya Usami, Koichi Ohto, Takamasa Tanikuni
  • Patent number: 7192835
    Abstract: According to the present invention, high-k film can be etched to provide a desired geometry without damaging the silicon underlying material. A silicon oxide film 52 is formed on a silicon substrate 50 by thermal oxidation, and a high dielectric constant insulating film 54 comprising HfSiOx is formed thereon. Thereafter, polycrystalline silicon layer 56 and high dielectric constant insulating film 54 are selectively removed in stages by a dry etching through a mask of the resist layer 58, and subsequently, the residual portion of the high dielectric constant insulating film 54 and the silicon oxide film 52 are selectively removed by wet etching through a mask of polycrystalline silicon layer 56. A liquid mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid is employed for the etchant solution. The temperature of the etchant solution is preferably equal to or lower than 200 degree C., and more preferably equal to or less than 180 degree C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Toshiyuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7186354
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an anticorrosive treating concentrate usable for an exposed surface of a metal (e.g. copper or a copper alloy), containing an anticorrosive agent and a precipitation inhibitor and having a pH of 4 to 12 when used in the form of an aqueous solution, in which concentrate the anticorrosive agent is a triazole type compound and/or a derivative thereof and is contained in a concentration of 0.05 to 20% by weight and the precipitation inhibitor is a compound having at least one nitrogen atom but no metal atom in the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori, Masayuki Takashima
  • Patent number: 7170172
    Abstract: An oxide film formed on the surface of copper film of an electrode pad is cleaned by oxalic acid after unevenness is formed on the surface of copper film by treating the surface with organic acid. Thereby, stable resistance is obtained when carrying out a characteristic inspection by bringing a probe into contact with the electrode pad, and it is easily recognized by observation through a microscope that the probe is brought into contact with the electrode pad. In addition, wettability with respect to solder is satisfactory, and it is possible to favorably form a solder bump on the electrode pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Kaoru Mikagi, Akira Furuya, Tetsuya Tao
  • Publication number: 20070015351
    Abstract: An oxide film formed on the surface of copper film of an electrode pad is cleaned by oxalic acid after unevenness is formed on the surface of copper film by treating the surface with organic acid. Thereby, stable resistance is obtained when carrying out a characteristic inspection by bringing a probe into contact with the electrode pad, and it is easily recognized by observation through a microscope that the probe is brought into contact with the electrode pad. In addition, wettability with respect to solder is satisfactory, and it is possible to favorably form a solder bump on the electrode pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tomimori, Hidemitsu Aoki, Kaoru Mikagi, Akira Furuya, Tetsuya Tao
  • Patent number: 7138362
    Abstract: There is provided a washing liquid composition for a semiconductor substrate having a contact angle between the surface thereof and water dropped thereon of at least 70 degrees, the washing liquid composition including an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid and a surfactant, and the washing liquid composition having a contact angle of at most 50 degrees when dropped on the semiconductor substrate. It is thereby possible to effectively remove particles and metals on the surface of a hydrophobic substrate without corroding it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignees: Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha, NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yumiko Abe, Norio Ishikawa, Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori, Yoshiko Kasama
  • Publication number: 20060214300
    Abstract: An increase of the via resistance resulted due to the presence of the altered layer that has been formed and grown after the formation of the via hole can be effectively prevented, thereby providing an improved reliability of the semiconductor device. A method includes: forming a TiN film on the semiconductor substrate; forming an interlayer insulating film on a surface of the TiN film; forming a resist film on a surface of the interlayer insulating film; etching the semiconductor substrate having the resist film formed thereon to form an opening, thereby partially exposing the TiN film; plasma-processing the exposed portion of the TiN film to remove an altered layer formed in the exposed portion of the TiN film; and stripping the resist film via a high temperature-plasma processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamamoto, Masashige Moritoki, Takashi Shimane, Kazumi Saito, Hiroaki Tomimori, Takamasa Itou, Kousei Ushijima, Katsuro Tateyama
  • Patent number: 7087562
    Abstract: A post-CMP washing liquid composition is provided which includes one type or two or more types of aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and one type or two or more types selected from the group consisting of glyoxylic acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose, lactose, and mannose, and which has a pH of less than 3.0. This washing liquid has excellent performance in removing micro particles and metal impurities adhering to the surface of a semiconductor substrate after CMP and does not corrode a metal wiring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignees: Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha, NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yumiko Abe, Takuo Oowada, Norio Ishikawa, Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori
  • Patent number: 6998352
    Abstract: A cleaning solution having an oxidation-reduction potential lower than that of pure water and a pH value of 4 or below is used to remove metal contamination, thereby efficiently removing the metal contamination adhered onto a surface of a substrate without damaging an underlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori, Kenichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6992050
    Abstract: A stripping composition comprising (a) an anticorrosive agent, (b) a stripping agent and (c) a solvent, wherein the anticorrosive agent (a) is a heterocyclic compound having a nitrogen atom-containing six-membered ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Koita, Keiji Hirano, Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori
  • Patent number: 6897150
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a surface of a semiconductor substrate, the surface of the semiconductor substrate including at least any one of a copper region, a copper based region and a copper alloy region, the method comprises the steps of: carrying out an anti-corrosion treatment by exposing the surface of the semiconductor substrate to a solution containing an anti-corrosive agent; and forming a copper-diffusion stopper insulating film over the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Hiroaki Tomimori
  • Patent number: 6890864
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device fabricating method for forming a wiring layer on a semiconductor substrate, followed by cleaning, which may prevent elution and oxidation of the wiring layer, and a treating liquid used in the fabricating method. A Cu wiring, an interlayer film over the Cu wiring and an opening in the interlyaer film to expose the surface of the Cu wiring are formed in a plasma atmosphere. IPA is sprayed to the semiconductor device, and then, an organic release process is performed thereto with an amine solvent to remove an etching residue. The semiconductor device is rinsed with the IPA again to remove the remaining amine, and then is cleaned with a treating liquid, which is alkalescent. Then, it is rinsed with pure water or CO2 water and is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Aoki, Kenichi Nakabeppu, Hiroaki Tomimori, Toshiyuki Takewaki, Nobuo Hironaga, Hiroyuki Kunishima