Patents by Inventor Li-Qun Xia

Li-Qun Xia 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: 11967498
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of forming a silicon-and-carbon-containing material may include flowing a silicon-oxygen-and-carbon-containing precursor into a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include forming a plasma within the processing region of the silicon-and-carbon-containing precursor. The plasma may be formed at a frequency less than 15 MHz (e.g., 13.56 MHz). The methods may include depositing a silicon-and-carbon-containing material on the substrate. The silicon-and-carbon-containing material as-deposited may be characterized by a dielectric constant below or about 3.5 and a hardness greater than about 3 Gpa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Kang S. Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia, Ruitong Xiong
  • Publication number: 20240087880
    Abstract: Embodiments include semiconductor processing methods to form low-? films on semiconductor substrates are described. The processing methods may include flowing one or more deposition precursors to a semiconductor processing system. The one or more deposition precursors may include a silicon-containing precursor that may be a cyclic compound. The methods may include generating a deposition plasma from the one or more deposition precursors. The methods may include depositing a silicon-and-carbon-containing material on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma. The silicon-and-carbon-containing material as-deposited may be characterized by a dielectric constant less than or about 3.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shruba Gangopadhyay, Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Michael Haverty, Bo Xie, Li-Qun Xia, Rui Lu, Yijun Liu, Ruitong Xiong, Xiaobo Li, Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Lauren Bagby
  • Patent number: 11887818
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to control the phase of power sources for plasma process regions in a batch process chamber. A master exciter controls the phase of the power sources during the process sequence based on feedback from the match circuits of the respective plasma sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tanaka, John C. Forster, Ran Liu, Kenichi Ohno, Ning Li, Mihaela Balseanu, Keiichi Tanaka, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 11830728
    Abstract: A method for dielectric filling of a feature on a substrate yields a seamless dielectric fill with high-k for narrow features. In some embodiments, the method may include depositing a metal material into the feature to fill the feature from a bottom of the feature wherein the feature has an opening ranging from less than 20 nm to approximately 150 nm at an upper surface of the substrate and wherein depositing the metal material is performed using a high ionization physical vapor deposition (PVD) process to form a seamless metal gap fill and treating the seamless metal gap fill by oxidizing/nitridizing the metal material of the seamless metal gap fill with an oxidation/nitridation process to form dielectric material wherein the seamless metal gap fill is converted into a seamless dielectric gap fill with high-k dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chengyu Liu, Ruitong Xiong, Bo Xie, Xianmin Tang, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 11710631
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include flowing deposition gases that may include a nitrogen-containing precursor, a silicon-containing precursor, and a carrier gas, into a substrate processing region of a substrate processing chamber. The flow rate ratio of the nitrogen-containing precursor to the silicon-containing precursor may be greater than or about 1:1. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma from the deposition gases to form a silicon-and-nitrogen containing layer on a substrate in the substrate processing chamber. The silicon-and-nitrogen-containing layer may be treated with a treatment plasma, where the treatment plasma is formed from the carrier gas without the silicon-containing precursor. The flow rate of the carrier gas in the treatment plasma may be greater than a flow rate of the carrier gas in the deposition plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Yichuen Lin, Kevin Hsiao, Hang Yu, Deenesh Padhi, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20230142684
    Abstract: Method of forming low-k films with reduced dielectric constant, reduced CHx content, and increased hardness are described. A siloxane film is on a substrate surface using a siloxane precursor comprising O—Si—O bonds and cured using ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure K. Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20230113965
    Abstract: A method for dielectric filling of a feature on a substrate yields a seamless dielectric fill with high-k for narrow features. In some embodiments, the method may include depositing a metal material into the feature to fill the feature from a bottom of the feature wherein the feature has an opening ranging from less than 20 nm to approximately 150 nm at an upper surface of the substrate and wherein depositing the metal material is performed using a high ionization physical vapor deposition (PVD) process to form a seamless metal gap fill and treating the seamless metal gap fill by oxidizing/nitridizing the metal material of the seamless metal gap fill with an oxidation/nitridation process to form dielectric material wherein the seamless metal gap fill is converted into a seamless dielectric gap fill with high-k dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Chengyu LIU, Ruitong XIONG, Bo XIE, Xianmin TANG, Yijun LIU, Li-Qun XIA
  • Patent number: 11621162
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing methods are described for forming UV-treated, low-? dielectric films. The methods may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-and-carbon-containing precursor. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma from the deposition precursors within the substrate processing region, and depositing a silicon-and-carbon-containing material on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma. The as-deposited silicon-and-carbon-containing material may be characterized by greater than or about 5% hydrocarbon groups. The methods may still further include exposing the deposited silicon-and-carbon-containing material to ultraviolet light. The exposed silicon-and-carbon-containing material may be characterized by less than or about 2% hydrocarbon groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20230094012
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing a silicon-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include forming a plasma of the silicon-containing precursor in the processing region. The plasma may be at least partially formed by an RF power operating at between about 50 W and 1,000 W, at a pulsing frequency below about 100,000 Hz, and at a duty cycle between about 5% and 95%. The methods may include forming a layer of material on the substrate. The layer of material may include a silicon-containing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruitong Xiong, Bo Xie, Xiaobo Li, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 11600486
    Abstract: Embodiments of the semiconductor processing methods to form low-? films on semiconductor substrates are described. The processing methods may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-containing precursor that has at least one vinyl group. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma in the substrate processing region from the deposition precursors. A silicon-and-carbon-containing material, characterized by a dielectric constant (? value) less than or about 3.0, may be deposited on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure K. Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 11572622
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods to clean a substrate processing chamber are described. The methods may include depositing a dielectric film on a first substrate in a substrate processing chamber, where the dielectric film may include a silicon-carbon-oxide. The first substrate having the dielectric film may be removed from the substrate processing chamber, and the dielectric film may be deposited on at least one more substrate in the substrate processing chamber. The at least one more substrate may be removed from the substrate processing chamber after the dielectric film is deposited on the substrate. Etch plasma effluents may flow into the substrate processing chamber after the removal of a last substrate having the dielectric film. The etch plasma effluents may include greater than or about 500 sccm of NF3 plasma effluents, and greater than or about 1000 sccm of O2 plasma effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia, Sure K. Ngo
  • Patent number: 11515150
    Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a deposition precursor in a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include adjusting a variable capacitor within 20% of a resonance peak. The variable capacitor may be coupled with an electrode incorporated within a substrate support on which a substrate is seated. The methods may include depositing a material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Li-Qun Xia, Kevin Hsiao, Liangfa Hu, Yayun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11370669
    Abstract: Amorphous silicon doped yttrium oxide films and methods of making same are described. Deposition of the amorphous silicon doped yttrium oxide film by thermal chemical vapor deposition or atomic layer deposition process are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya E. Sato, Li-Qun Xia, Sean M. Seutter
  • Patent number: 11367594
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a gasbox characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The gasbox may define a central aperture. The gasbox may define an annular channel extending about the central aperture. The annular channel may be fluidly accessible from the first surface of the gasbox. The gasbox may further define a plurality of outlet apertures extending from the annular channel through the second surface of the gasbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingle Tong, Li-Qun Xia, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj
  • Publication number: 20220130665
    Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a deposition precursor in a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include adjusting a variable capacitor within 20% of a resonance peak. The variable capacitor may be coupled with an electrode incorporated within a substrate support on which a substrate is seated. The methods may include depositing a material on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Li-Qun Xia, Kevin Hsiao, Liangfa Hu, Yayun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220130661
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include flowing deposition gases that may include a nitrogen-containing precursor, a silicon-containing precursor, and a carrier gas, into a substrate processing region of a substrate processing chamber. The flow rate ratio of the nitrogen-containing precursor to the silicon-containing precursor may be greater than or about 1:1. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma from the deposition gases to form a silicon-and-nitrogen containing layer on a substrate in the substrate processing chamber. The silicon-and-nitrogen-containing layer may be treated with a treatment plasma, where the treatment plasma is formed from the carrier gas without the silicon-containing precursor. The flow rate of the carrier gas in the treatment plasma may be greater than a flow rate of the carrier gas in the deposition plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Yichuen Lin, Kevin Hsiao, Hang Yu, Deenesh Padhi, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20220108884
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing methods are described for forming UV-treated, low-? dielectric films. The methods may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-and-carbon-containing precursor. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma from the deposition precursors within the substrate processing region, and depositing a silicon-and-carbon-containing material on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma. The as-deposited silicon-and-carbon-containing material may be characterized by greater than or about 5% hydrocarbon groups. The methods may still further include exposing the deposited silicon-and-carbon-containing material to ultraviolet light. The exposed silicon-and-carbon-containing material may be characterized by less than or about 2% hydrocarbon groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20220081765
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods to clean a substrate processing chamber are described. The methods may include depositing a dielectric film on a first substrate in a substrate processing chamber, where the dielectric film may include a silicon-carbon-oxide. The first substrate having the dielectric film may be removed from the substrate processing chamber, and the dielectric film may be deposited on at least one more substrate in the substrate processing chamber. The at least one more substrate may be removed from the substrate processing chamber after the dielectric film is deposited on the substrate. Etch plasma effluents may flow into the substrate processing chamber after the removal of a last substrate having the dielectric film. The etch plasma effluents may include greater than or about 500 sccm of NF3 plasma effluents, and greater than or about 1000 sccm of O2 plasma effluents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia, Sure Ngo
  • Publication number: 20220084815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the semiconductor processing methods to form low-? films on semiconductor substrates are described. The processing methods may include flowing deposition precursors into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-containing precursor that has at least one vinyl group. The methods may further include generating a deposition plasma in the substrate processing region from the deposition precursors. A silicon-and-carbon-containing material, characterized by a dielectric constant (? value) less than or about 3.0, may be deposited on the substrate from plasma effluents of the deposition plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20220059362
    Abstract: Provided are self-aligned double patterning methods including feature trimming. The SADP process is performed in a single batch processing chamber in which the substrate is laterally moved between sections of the processing chamber separated by gas curtains so that each section independently has a process condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Li, Victor Nguyen, Mihaela A. Balseanu, Li-Qun Xia, Keiichi Tanaka, Steven D. Marcus