Patents by Inventor Michael A. Todd
Michael A. Todd 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).
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Patent number: 11897801Abstract: Industrial water such as in a geothermal unit is stabilized against silica polymerization and flocculation by using a combination of inhibitors including a nonionic polyether and a monomeric polycarboxylate.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Solenis Technologies, L.P.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Patent number: 11670512Abstract: A method is disclosed for delectively depositing a material on a substrate wherein the substrate has at least two different surfaces wherein one surface is passivated thereby allowing selective deposition on the non-passivated surface. In particular, disclosed is a method for preparing a surface of a substrate for selective film deposition, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises at least a first surface comprising SiO2 and an initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups and a second surface comprising SiH, the method comprising the steps of: contacting the substrate with a wet chemical composition to obtain a treated substrate comprising an increased concentration of surface hydroxyl groups relative to the initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups; and heating the treated substrate to a temperature of from about 200° C. to about 600° C.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: VERSUM MATERIALS US, LLCInventor: Michael A. Todd
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Publication number: 20210118684Abstract: A method is disclosed for delectively depositing a material on a substrate wherein the substrate has at least two different surfaces wherein one surface is passivated thereby allowing selective deposition on the non-passivated surface. In particular, disclosed is a method for preparing a surface of a substrate for selective film deposition, wherein the surface of the substrate comprises at least a first surface comprising SiO2 and an initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups and a second surface comprising SiH, the method comprising the steps of: contacting the substrate with a wet chemical composition to obtain a treated substrate comprising an increased concentration of surface hydroxyl groups relative to the initial concentration of surface hydroxyl groups; and heating the treated substrate to a temperature of from about 200° C. to about 600° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Publication number: 20210032141Abstract: Industrial water such as in a geothermal unit is stabilized against silica polymerization and flocculation by using a combination of inhibitors including a nonionic polyether and a monomeric polycarboxylate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Applicant: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Publication number: 20200063017Abstract: A method of removing mineral scales from a substrate with minimized corrosion of the substrate includes the steps of providing an acid solution providing a corrosion inhibitor solution, applying the acid solution to the substrate to remove mineral scales therefrom, and applying the corrosion inhibitor solution to the substrate to minimize corrosion thereof. The acid solution includes a mineral acid, an organic acid, or a combination thereof. The corrosion inhibitor solution includes an alpha-beta unsaturated aldehyde, a hydrophobic amine, and an oxime. The corrosion inhibitor solution optionally includes formic acid, a surfactant, and a solvent.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Patent number: 8921205Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition methods are used to deposit amorphous silicon-containing films over various substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. Preferably, the deposited amorphous silicon-containing film is annealed to produce crystalline regions over all or part of an underlying substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Patent number: 8360001Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize chemical precursors that allow for the deposition of thin films to be conducted at or near the mass transport limited regime. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, a higher order silane is employed to deposit thin films containing silicon that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Mark Hawkins
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Patent number: 8088223Abstract: A substrate processing system has computer controlled injectors. The computer is configured to adjust a plurality of injectors, such as during deposition of a graded layer, between depositions of two different layers, or between deposition and chamber clean steps.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Keith D. Weeks, Paul T. Jacobson
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Patent number: 8067297Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize higher order silanes and germanium precursors as chemical precursors. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, trisilane is employed to deposit SiGe-containing films that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Patent number: 7964513Abstract: Multiple sequential processes are conducted in a reaction chamber to form ultra high quality silicon-containing compound layers, including silicon nitride layers. In a preferred embodiment, a silicon layer is deposited on a substrate using trisilane as the silicon precursor. A silicon nitride layer is then formed by nitriding the silicon layer. By repeating these steps, a silicon nitride layer of a desired thickness is formed.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Keith D. Weeks, Christiaan J. Werkhoven, Christophe F. Pomarede
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Patent number: 7921805Abstract: A liquid injector is used to vaporize and inject a silicon precursor into a process chamber to form silicon-containing layers during a semiconductor fabrication process. The injector is connected to a source of silicon precursor, which preferably comprises liquid trisilane in a mixture with one or more dopant precursors. The mixture is metered as a liquid and delivered to the injector, where it is then vaporized and injected into the process chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Ivo Raaijmakers
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Patent number: 7893433Abstract: Thin, smooth silicon-containing films are prepared by deposition methods that utilize a silicon containing precursor. In preferred embodiments, the methods result in Si-containing films that are continuous and have a thickness of about 150 ? or less, a surface roughness of about 5 ? rms or less, and a thickness non-uniformity of about 20% or less. Preferred silicon-containing films display a high degree of compositional uniformity when doped or alloyed with other elements. Preferred deposition methods provide improved manufacturing efficiency and can be used to make various useful structures such as wetting layers, HSG silicon, quantum dots, dielectric layers, anti-reflective coatings (ARC's), gate electrodes and diffusion sources.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Ivo Raaijmakers
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Patent number: 7790556Abstract: Methods are provided herein for forming electrode layers over high dielectric constant (“high k”) materials. In the illustrated embodiments, a high k gate dielectric, such as zirconium oxide, is protected from reduction during a subsequent deposition of silicon-containing gate electrode. In particular, a seed deposition phase includes conditions designed for minimizing hydrogen reduction of the gate dielectric, including low hydrogen content, low temperatures and/or low partial pressures of the silicon source gas. Conditions are preferably changed for higher deposition rates and deposition continues in a bulk phase. Desirably, though, hydrogen diffusion is still minimized by controlling the above-noted parameters. In one embodiment, high k dielectric reduction is minimized through omission of a hydrogen carrier gas. In another embodiment, higher order silanes, aid in reducing hydrogen content for a given deposition rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Christophe F. Pomarede, Michael E. Givens, Eric J. Shero, Michael A. Todd
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Publication number: 20100107978Abstract: A liquid injector is used to vaporize and inject a silicon precursor into a process chamber to form silicon-containing layers during a semiconductor fabrication process. The injector is connected to a source of silicon precursor, which preferably comprises liquid trisilane in a mixture with one or more dopant precursors. The mixture is metered as a liquid and delivered to the injector, where it is then vaporized and injected into the process chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Ivo Raaijmakers
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Patent number: 7651953Abstract: Multiple sequential processes are conducted in a reaction chamber to form ultra high quality silicon-containing compound layers, including silicon nitride layers. In a preferred embodiment, a silicon layer is deposited on a substrate using trisilane as the silicon precursor. A silicon nitride layer is then formed by nitriding the silicon layer. By repeating these steps, a silicon nitride layer of a desired thickness is formed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Keith D. Weeks, Christiaan J. Werkhoven, Christophe F. Pomarede
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Publication number: 20100012030Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize chemical precursors that allow for the deposition of thin films to be conducted at or near the mass transport limited regime. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, a higher order silane is employed to deposit thin films containing silicon that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2009Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Mark Hawkins
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Publication number: 20090311857Abstract: Multiple sequential processes are conducted in a reaction chamber to form ultra high quality silicon-containing compound layers, including silicon nitride layers. In a preferred embodiment, a silicon layer is deposited on a substrate using trisilane as the silicon precursor. A silicon nitride layer is then formed by nitriding the silicon layer. By repeating these steps, a silicon nitride layer of a desired thickness is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Keith D. Weeks, Christiaan J. Werkhoven, Christophe F. Pomarede
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Patent number: 7585752Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize chemical precursors that allow for the deposition of thin films to be conducted at or near the mass transport limited regime. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, a higher order silane is employed to deposit thin films containing silicon that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Mark Hawkins
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Patent number: 7547615Abstract: Trisilane is used in chemical vapor deposition methods to deposit silicon-containing films over mixed substrates. Such methods are useful in semiconductor manufacturing to provide a variety of advantages, including uniform deposition over heterogeneous surfaces, high deposition rates, and higher manufacturing productivity. An example is in forming the base region of a heterojunction bipolar transistor, including simultaneous deposition over both single crystal semiconductor surfaces and amorphous insulating regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Todd
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Patent number: 7544827Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes result in films having low dielectric constants when suitable chemical precursors are utilized. Preferred chemical precursors include siloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosiloxanes, (fluoroalkyl)silanes, (alkyl)fluorosilanes, (fluoroalkyl)fluorosilanes, alkylsiloxysilanes, alkoxysilanes, alkylalkoxysilanes, silylmethanes, alkoxysilylmethanes, alkylalkoxysilylmethanes, alkoxymethanes, alkylalkoxymethanes, and mixtures thereof. The precursors are particularly suited to thermal CVD for producing low dielectric constant films at relatively low temperatures, particularly without the use of additional oxidizing agents. Such films are useful in the microelectronics industry.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.Inventor: Michael A. Todd