Patents by Inventor Nicholas Muga Ndiege

Nicholas Muga Ndiege 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: 11270896
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and pore sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Mohn, Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Patrick A. van Cleemput, David Fang Wei Chen, Wenbo Liang, Shawn M. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20190333790
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and por sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Mohn, Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Patrick A. van Cleemput, David Fang Wei Chen, Wenbo Liang, Shawn M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10388546
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and por sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Mohn, Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Patrick A. Van Cleemput, David Fang Wei Chen, Wenbo Liang, Shawn M. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9916977
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and por sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Van Cleemput, Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Jonathan D. Mohn
  • Patent number: 9847222
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for improved flowable dielectric deposition on substrate surfaces. The methods involve improving nucleation and wetting on the substrate surface without forming a thick high wet etch rate interface layer. According to various embodiments, the methods may include single or multi-stage remote plasma treatments of a deposition surface. In some embodiments, a treatment may include exposure to both a reducing chemistry and a hydrogen-containing oxidizing chemistry. Apparatus for performing the methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Reilly, Harald te Nijenhuis, Nerissa Draeger, Bart J. van Schravendijk, Nicholas Muga Ndiege
  • Publication number: 20170137943
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and por sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Mohn, Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Patrick A. Van Cleemput, David Fang Wei Chen, Wenbo Liang, Shawn M. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20170140931
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for ultraviolet (UV) assisted capillary condensation to form dielectric materials. In some embodiments, a UV driven reaction facilitates photo-polymerization of a liquid phase flowable material. Applications include high quality gap fill in high aspect ratio structures and por sealing of a porous solid dielectric film. According to various embodiments, single station and multi-station chambers configured for capillary condensation and UV exposure are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick A. Van Cleemput, Nicholas Muga Ndiege
  • Patent number: 9245739
    Abstract: Methods for depositing flowable dielectric films using halogen-free precursors and catalysts on a substrate are provided herein. Halogen-free precursors and catalysts include self-catalyzing aminosilane compounds and halogen-free organic acids. Flowable films may be used to fill pores in existing dielectric films on substrates having exposed metallization layers. The methods involve hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Krishna Nittala, Derek B. Wong, George Andrew Antonelli, Nerissa Sue Draeger, Patrick A. Van Cleemput
  • Publication number: 20150118862
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatus for improved flowable dielectric deposition on substrate surfaces. The methods involve improving nucleation and wetting on the substrate surface without forming a thick high wet etch rate interface layer. According to various embodiments, the methods may include single or multi-stage remote plasma treatments of a deposition surface. In some embodiments, a treatment may include exposure to both a reducing chemistry and a hydrogen-containing oxidizing chemistry. Apparatus for performing the methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Reilly, Harald te Nijenhuis, Nerissa Draeger, Bart J. van Schravendijk, Nicholas Muga Ndiege
  • Publication number: 20150004806
    Abstract: Methods for depositing flowable dielectric films using halogen-free precursors and catalysts on a substrate are provided herein. Halogen-free precursors and catalysts include self-catalyzing aminosilane compounds and halogen-free organic acids. Flowable films may be used to fill pores in existing dielectric films on substrates having exposed metallization layers. The methods involve hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas Muga Ndiege, Krishna Nittala, Derek B. Wong, George Andrew Antonelli, Nerissa Sue Draeger, Patrick A. Van Cleemput