Patents by Inventor Kouzou Tachibana

Kouzou Tachibana 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: 11600500
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes forming, by supplying a chemical liquid onto a central portion of a substrate while rotating a rotary table at a first speed, a liquid film of the chemical liquid having a first thickness; forming, by supplying the chemical liquid onto the central portion while rotating the rotary table at a second speed lower than the first speed after the forming of the liquid film having the first thickness, a liquid film of the chemical liquid having a second thickness larger than the first thickness; and heating, by heating the rotary table in a state that the rotary table is rotated at a third speed lower than the second speed or in a state that the rotating of the rotary table is stopped after the forming of the liquid film having the second thickness, the substrate and the liquid film of the chemical liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouzou Tachibana, Katsuhiro Morikawa, Kouichi Mizunaga
  • Publication number: 20230023792
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: a first etching step of performing a first etching by supplying an etching liquid on a front surface of a substrate while rotating the substrate, wherein the first etching is performed under a condition in which a second etching amount of an etching target film in a second region on a peripheral edge of the front surface, is greater than a first etching amount of the etching target film in a first region on a center side of the front surface; and a second etching step of performing a second etching by supplying the etching liquid to the front surface of the substrate while rotating the substrate, wherein the second etching is performed under a condition in which the second etching amount of the etching target film in the second region of the front surface of the substrate is smaller than the first etching amount of the etching target film in the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventor: Kouzou TACHIBANA
  • Publication number: 20220130691
    Abstract: A substrate processing method of performing liquid processing on a substrate in a substrate processing apparatus, which includes a substrate table configured to suction the substrate, a heater configured to heat the substrate table, and a processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate suctioned to the substrate table, includes: a suctioning process of suctioning the substrate by the substrate table when there is no temperature difference between the substrate and the substrate table or when a temperature difference between the substrate and the substrate is within a predetermined range; and after the suctioning process, a processing liquid supply process of supplying the processing liquid from the processing liquid nozzle to the substrate suctioned to the substrate table heated by the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kouzou TACHIBANA, Katsuhiro MORIKAWA, Kouichi MIZUNAGA, Masami AKIMOTO, Kousuke NEGISHI
  • Publication number: 20220059357
    Abstract: A method includes rotating a substrate, supplying a first processing liquid from a first nozzle to the substrate during a first period, and supplying a second processing liquid from a second nozzle to the substrate during a second period. First and second liquid columns are formed by the first and second processing liquids during at least partially overlapped period of the first and second periods, respectively. The shapes and arrangements of the first and second liquid columns satisfy that: at least one of first and second central axis lines of the first and second liquid columns is inclined with respect to a rotational axis line of the substrate, first and second cut surfaces obtained by cutting the first and second liquid columns along a horizontal plane at least partially overlap each other, and any point on the first central axis line is located on the second central axis line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi KOSUGI, Shota UMEZAKI, Kouzou TACHIBANA, Ryo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220020611
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes forming, by supplying a chemical liquid onto a central portion of a substrate while rotating a rotary table at a first speed, a liquid film of the chemical liquid having a first thickness; forming, by supplying the chemical liquid onto the central portion while rotating the rotary table at a second speed lower than the first speed after the forming of the liquid film having the first thickness, a liquid film of the chemical liquid having a second thickness larger than the first thickness; and heating, by heating the rotary table in a state that the rotary table is rotated at a third speed lower than the second speed or in a state that the rotating of the rotary table is stopped after the forming of the liquid film having the second thickness, the substrate and the liquid film of the chemical liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Kouzou Tachibana, Katsuhiro Morikawa, Kouichi Mizunaga
  • Patent number: 11217451
    Abstract: A method includes rotating a substrate, supplying a first processing liquid from a first nozzle to the substrate during a first period, and supplying a second processing liquid from a second nozzle to the substrate during a second period. First and second liquid columns are formed by the first and second processing liquids during at least partially overlapped period of the first and second periods, respectively. The shapes and arrangements of the first and second liquid columns satisfy that: at least one of first and second central axis lines of the first and second liquid columns is inclined with respect to a rotational axis line of the substrate, first and second cut surfaces obtained by cutting the first and second liquid columns along a horizontal plane at least partially overlap each other, and any point on the first central axis line is located on the second central axis line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kosugi, Shota Umezaki, Kouzou Tachibana, Ryo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10867814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid processing method of drying a substrate held horizontally after supplying deionized water to the substrate. The liquid processing method includes: supplying the deionized water to a front surface of the substrate; supplying a first solvent to the front surface of the substrate after supplying the deionized water; supplying a water-repellent agent to the front surface of the substrate to impart water-repellency to the front surface of the substrate; supplying a second solvent to the front surface of the substrate to which water-repellency is imparted; and removing the second solvent from the front surface of the substrate. A specific gravity of the first solvent is smaller than a specific gravity of the water-repellent agent, and a specific gravity of the second solvent is larger than the specific gravity of the water-repellent agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yosuke Kawabuchi, Kouzou Tachibana, Mitsunori Nakamori, Kotaro Ooishi, Keisuke Egashira, Koji Tanaka, Hiroaki Inadomi, Masami Yamashita, Yoshiteru Fukuda, Koji Yamashita, Yu Tsurifune, Takuro Masuzumi
  • Patent number: 10770284
    Abstract: A substrate processing method according to an embodiment includes an etching process, a temperature-difference forming process, and a rinsing process. The etching process supplies an etchant onto a first surface of a substrate on which a pattern is formed to etch the pattern. The temperature-difference forming process makes, in parallel with the etching process, a temperature in a lower portion of the pattern lower than a temperature in an upper portion of the pattern. The rinsing process supplies rinse liquid onto the first surface after the etching process to replace the etchant remaining on the pattern with the rinse liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Yonekawa, Shuhei Takahashi, Kouzou Tachibana, Hideki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10734255
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method includes supplying, onto a substrate, a film-forming processing liquid including a volatile component and a polar organic material that forms a processing film on the substrate, volatilizing the volatile component such that the film-forming processing liquid solidifies or cures and forms the processing film on the substrate, supplying, to the processing film formed on the substrate, a peeling processing liquid that peels off the processing film from the substrate and includes a non-polar solvent, and supplying, to the processing film, a dissolution processing liquid that dissolves the processing film and includes a polar solvent after the supplying of the peeling processing liquid. The non-polar solvent does not contain water, and the polar solvent does not contain water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenji Sekiguchi, Itaru Kanno, Meitoku Aibara, Kouzou Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20200234998
    Abstract: A method includes rotating a substrate, supplying a first processing liquid from a first nozzle to the substrate during a first period, and supplying a second processing liquid from a second nozzle to the substrate during a second period. First and second liquid columns are formed by the first and second processing liquids during at least partially overlapped period of the first and second periods, respectively. The shapes and arrangements of the first and second liquid columns satisfy that: at least one of first and second central axis lines of the first and second liquid columns is inclined with respect to a rotational axis line of the substrate, first and second cut surfaces obtained by cutting the first and second liquid columns along a horizontal plane at least partially overlap each other, and any point on the first central axis line is located on the second central axis line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Hitoshi KOSUGI, Shota UMEZAKI, Kouzou TACHIBANA, Ryo YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180182616
    Abstract: A substrate processing method according to an embodiment includes an etching process, a temperature-difference forming process, and a rinsing process. The etching process supplies an etchant onto a first surface of a substrate on which a pattern is formed to etch the pattern. The temperature-difference forming process makes, in parallel with the etching process, a temperature in a lower portion of the pattern lower than a temperature in an upper portion of the pattern. The rinsing process supplies rinse liquid onto the first surface after the etching process to replace the etchant remaining on the pattern with the rinse liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroki Yonekawa, Shuhei Takahashi, Kouzou Tachibana, Hideki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9865452
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing method that includes a water-repellency step, a rinse step, and a dry step. In the water-repellency step, a water-repellent agent which is heated to a first predetermined temperature and then reaches a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature, is supplied to a substrate. In the rinse step, a rinse liquid is supplied to the substrate after the water-repellency step. In the dry step, the rinse liquid on the substrate after the rinse step is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kotaro Oishi, Keisuke Egashira, Kouzou Tachibana, Hideaki Udou
  • Publication number: 20170345685
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method includes supplying, onto a substrate, a film-forming processing liquid including a volatile component and a polar organic material that forms a processing film on the substrate, volatilizing the volatile component such that the film-forming processing liquid solidifies or cures and forms the processing film on the substrate, supplying, to the processing film formed on the substrate, a peeling processing liquid that peels off the processing film from the substrate and includes a non-polar solvent, and supplying, to the processing film, a dissolution processing liquid that dissolves the processing film and includes a polar solvent after the supplying of the peeling processing liquid. The non-polar solvent does not contain water, and the polar solvent does not contain water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenji SEKIGUCHI, Itaru KANNO, Meitoku AIBARA, Kouzou TACHIBANA
  • Publication number: 20170236729
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid processing method of drying a substrate held horizontally after supplying deionized water to the substrate. The liquid processing method includes: supplying the deionized water to a front surface of the substrate; supplying a first solvent to the front surface of the substrate after supplying the deionized water; supplying a water-repellent agent to the front surface of the substrate to impart water-repellency to the front surface of the substrate; supplying a second solvent to the front surface of the substrate to which water-repellency is imparted; and removing the second solvent from the front surface of the substrate. A specific gravity of the first solvent is smaller than a specific gravity of the water-repellent agent, and a specific gravity of the second solvent is larger than the specific gravity of the water-repellent agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yosuke Kawabuchi, Kouzou Tachibana, Mitsunori Nakamori, Kotaro Ooishi, Keisuke Egashira, Koji Tanaka, Hiroaki Inadomi, Masami Yamashita, Yoshiteru Fukuda, Koji Yamashita, Yu Tsurifune, Takuro Masuzumi
  • Patent number: 9687873
    Abstract: A coating film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding unit, a ring-shaped member annularly installed along a circumferential direction of the substrate so as to cover an upper side of a peripheral edge portion of the substrate, and a control unit that outputs a control signal so as to perform: positioning the ring-shaped member at a processing position where an air flow flowing above the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is straightened; rotating the substrate at a first revolution number such that a coating liquid supplied to a central portion of the substrate is diffused toward the peripheral edge portion by a centrifugal force; bringing the ring-shaped member to a retreated position where an air flow flowing near a front surface of the substrate is prevented from becoming turbulent; and reducing the revolution number of the substrate to a second revolution number lower than the first revolution number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouzou Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20160300710
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing method that includes a water-repellency step, a rinse step, and a dry step. In the water-repellency step, a water-repellent agent which is heated to a first predetermined temperature and then reaches a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature, is supplied to a substrate. In the rinse step, a rinse liquid is supplied to the substrate after the water-repellency step. In the dry step, the rinse liquid on the substrate after the rinse step is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Kotaro Oishi, Keisuke Egashira, Kouzou Tachibana, Hideaki Udou
  • Patent number: 9217922
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit arranged within a processing cup and configured to horizontally hold a substrate, a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the substrate holding unit about a vertical axis, a processing liquid supply unit configured to supply a processing liquid onto a surface of the substrate, and an exhaust mechanism configured to discharge an atmospheric gas around the substrate. The exhaust mechanism includes an exhaust flow path connected to an exhaust port formed at the processing cup, a circulation flow path branched from the exhaust flow path and configured to communicate with the processing cup, a gas liquid separator, a first regulator valve installed at one end of the exhaust flow path, and a second regulator valve installed at the other end of the exhaust flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Minoru Kubota, Kousuke Yoshihara, Kouzou Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20150251211
    Abstract: A coating film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding unit, a ring-shaped member annularly installed along a circumferential direction of the substrate so as to cover an upper side of a peripheral edge portion of the substrate, and a control unit that outputs a control signal so as to perform: positioning the ring-shaped member at a processing position where an air flow flowing above the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is straightened; rotating the substrate at a first revolution number such that a coating liquid supplied to a central portion of the substrate is diffused toward the peripheral edge portion by a centrifugal force; bringing the ring-shaped member to a retreated position where an air flow flowing near a front surface of the substrate is prevented from becoming turbulent; and reducing the revolution number of the substrate to a second revolution number lower than the first revolution number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: Kouzou TACHIBANA
  • Patent number: 9070731
    Abstract: A coating film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding unit, a ring-shaped member annularly installed along a circumferential direction of the substrate so as to cover an upper side of a peripheral edge portion of the substrate, and a control unit that outputs a control signal so as to perform: positioning the ring-shaped member at a processing position where an air flow flowing above the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is straightened; rotating the substrate at a first revolution number such that a coating liquid supplied to a central portion of the substrate is diffused toward the peripheral edge portion by a centrifugal force; bringing the ring-shaped member to a retreated position where an air flow flowing near a front surface of the substrate is prevented from becoming turbulent; and reducing the revolution number of the substrate to a second revolution number lower than the first revolution number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouzou Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20150155197
    Abstract: A coating film forming apparatus includes a substrate holding unit, a ring-shaped member annularly installed along a circumferential direction of the substrate so as to cover an upper side of a peripheral edge portion of the substrate, and a control unit that outputs a control signal so as to perform: positioning the ring-shaped member at a processing position where an air flow flowing above the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is straightened; rotating the substrate at a first revolution number such that a coating liquid supplied to a central portion of the substrate is diffused toward the peripheral edge portion by a centrifugal force; bringing the ring-shaped member to a retreated position where an air flow flowing near a front surface of the substrate is prevented from becoming turbulent; and reducing the revolution number of the substrate to a second revolution number lower than the first revolution number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Kouzou TACHIBANA