Patents by Inventor Paul F. Ma

Paul F. Ma 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: 11735420
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a film selectively onto a first material relative to a second material are described. The substrate is pre-cleaned by heating the substrate to a first temperature, cleaning contaminants from the substrate and activating the first surface to promote formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the first material. A SAM is formed on the first material by repeated cycles of SAM molecule exposure, heating and reactivation of the first material. A final exposure to the SAM molecules is performed prior to selectively depositing a film on the second material. Apparatus to perform the selective deposition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Lei Zhou, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan, Yuanhong Guo, Liqi Wu, Michael S. Jackson, Ludovic Godet, Tobin Kaufman-Osborn, Erica Chen, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 11587829
    Abstract: Described are methods for controlling the doping of metal nitride films such as TaN, TiN and MnN. The temperature during deposition of the metal nitride film may be controlled to provide a film density that permits a desired amount of doping. Dopants may include Ru, Cu, Co, Mn, Mo, Al, Mg, Cr, Nb, Ta, Ti and V. The metal nitride film may optionally be exposed to plasma treatment after doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Ben-Li Sheu, Guodan Wei, Nicole Lundy, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 11515155
    Abstract: Methods of improved selectively for SAM-based selective depositions are described. Some of the methods include forming a SAM on a second surface and a carbonized layer on the first surface. The substrate is exposed to an oxygenating agent to remove the carbonized layer from the first surface, and a film is deposited on the first surface over the protected second surface. Some of the methods include overdosing a SAM molecule to form a SAM layer and SAM agglomerates, depositing a film, removing the agglomerates, reforming the SAM layer and redepositing the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Michael S. Jackson, Liqi Wu, Lei Zhou, Shuyi Zhang, David Thompson, Paul F. Ma, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 11133155
    Abstract: Embodiments of a gas delivery apparatus for use in a radio frequency (RF) processing apparatus are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery apparatus for use in a radio frequency (RF) processing apparatus includes: a conductive gas line having a first end and a second end; a first flange coupled to the first end; a second flange coupled to the second end, wherein the conductive gas line extends through and between the first and second flanges; and a block of ferrite material surrounding the conductive gas line between the first and second flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Daping Yao, Hyman W. H. Lam, John C. Forster, Jiang Lu, Can Xu, Dien-Yeh Wu, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20210283650
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing deposits in self-assembled monolayer (SAM) based selective deposition process schemes using cryogenic gas streams are described. Some methods include removing deposits in self-assembled monolayer (SAM) based selective depositions by exposing the substrate to cryogenic aerosols to remove undesired deposition on SAM protected surfaces. Processing chambers for cryogenic gas assisted selective deposition are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Song-Moon Suh, Liqi Wu, Michael S. Jackson, Lei Zhou, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20210217615
    Abstract: Methods of improved selectively for SAM-based selective depositions are described. Some of the methods include forming a SAM on a second surface and a carbonized layer on the first surface. The substrate is exposed to an oxygenating agent to remove the carbonized layer from the first surface, and a film is deposited on the first surface over the protected second surface. Some of the methods include overdosing a SAM molecule to form a SAM layer and SAM agglomerates, depositing a film, removing the agglomerates, reforming the SAM layer and redepositing the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Michael S. Jackson, Liqi Wu, Lei Zhou, Shuyi Zhang, David Thompson, Paul F. Ma, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 11049722
    Abstract: Methods of modifying the threshold voltage of metal oxide stacks are discussed. These methods utilize materials which provide larger shifts in threshold voltage while also being annealed at lower temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Siddarth Krishnan, Rajesh Sathiyanarayanan, Atashi Basu, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 11033930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing deposits in self-assembled monolayer (SAM) based selective deposition process schemes using cryogenic gas streams are described. Some methods include removing deposits in self-assembled monolayer (SAM) based selective depositions by exposing the substrate to cryogenic aerosols to remove undesired deposition on SAM protected surfaces. Processing chambers for cryogenic gas assisted selective deposition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Song-Moon Suh, Liqi Wu, Michael S. Jackson, Lei Zhou, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20210159118
    Abstract: Described are methods for controlling the doping of metal nitride films such as TaN, TiN and MnN. The temperature during deposition of the metal nitride film may be controlled to provide a film density that permits a desired amount of doping. Dopants may include Ru, Cu, Co, Mn, Mo, Al, Mg, Cr, Nb, Ta, Ti and V. The metal nitride film may optionally be exposed to plasma treatment after doping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Ben-Li Sheu, Guodan Wei, Nicole Lundy, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 10950433
    Abstract: Methods of improved selectively for SAM-based selective depositions are described. Some of the methods include forming a SAM on a second surface and a carbonized layer on the first surface. The substrate is exposed to an oxygenating agent to remove the carbonized layer from the first surface, and a film is deposited on the first surface over the protected second surface. Some of the methods include overdosing a SAM molecule to form a SAM layer and SAM agglomerates, depositing a film, removing the agglomerates, reforming the SAM layer and redepositing the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Michael S. Jackson, Liqi Wu, Lei Zhou, Shuyi Zhang, David Thompson, Paul F. Ma, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 10930472
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a metal silicide as nanowires for back-end interconnection structures for semiconductor applications are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a metal silicide layer on a substrate by a chemical vapor deposition process or a physical vapor deposition process, thermal treating the metal silicide layer in a processing chamber, applying a microwave power in the processing chamber while thermal treating the metal silicide layer; and maintaining a substrate temperature less than 400 degrees Celsius while thermal treating the metal silicide layer. In another embodiment, a method includes supplying a deposition gas mixture including at least a metal containing precursor and a reacting gas on a surface of a substrate, forming a plasma in the presence of the deposition gas mixture by exposure to microwave power, exposing the plasma to light radiation, and forming a metal silicide layer on the substrate from the deposition gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bencherki Mebarki, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Kaushal K. Singh, Andrew Cockburn, Ludovic Godet, Paul F. Ma, Mehul B. Naik
  • Patent number: 10910263
    Abstract: Described are methods for controlling the doping of metal nitride films such as TaN, TiN and MnN. The temperature during deposition of the metal nitride film may be controlled to provide a film density that permits a desired amount of doping. Dopants may include Ru, Cu, Co, Mn, Mo, Al, Mg, Cr, Nb, Ta, Ti and V. The metal nitride film may optionally be exposed to plasma treatment after doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Ben-Li Sheu, Guodan Wei, Nicole Lundy, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 10879081
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing and eliminating defects in tungsten film are disclosed herein. In the present disclosure, reducing or eliminating oxidation of a first surface of a tungsten film having a predetermined first thickness disposed upon a substrate and within a plurality of trenches is disclosed. The plurality of trenches include a predetermined depth, and a width of less than 20 nanometers. The predetermined first thickness of the tungsten film is substantially uniform throughout the plurality of trenches such that the predetermined first thickness of the tungsten film does not substantially change to a second thickness when the first surface is contacted with air or oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Guoqiang Jian, Wei Tang, Chi-Chou Lin, Paul F. Ma, Kai Wu, Vikash Banthia, Mei Chang, Jia Ye, Wenyu Zhang, Jing Zhou
  • Publication number: 20200402792
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a film selectively onto a first material relative to a second material are described. The substrate is pre-cleaned by heating the substrate to a first temperature, cleaning contaminants from the substrate and activating the first surface to promote formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the first material. A SAM is formed on the first material by repeated cycles of SAM molecule exposure, heating and reactivation of the first material. A final exposure to the SAM molecules is performed prior to selectively depositing a film on the second material. Apparatus to perform the selective deposition are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Lei Zhou, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan, Yuanhong Guo, Liqi Wu, Michael S. Jackson, Ludovic Godet, Tobin Kaufman-Osborn, Erica Chen, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 10784157
    Abstract: Described are doped TaN films, as well as methods for providing the doped TaN films. Doping TaN films with Ru, Cu, Co, Mn, Al, Mg, Cr, Nb, Ti and/or V allows for enhanced copper barrier properties of the TaN films. Also described are methods of providing films with a first layer comprising doped TaN and a second layer comprising one or more of Ru and Co, with optional doping of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang, Jennifer Shan
  • Patent number: 10770292
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a film selectively onto a first material relative to a second material are described. The substrate is pre-cleaned by heating the substrate to a first temperature, cleaning contaminants from the substrate and activating the first surface to promote formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the first material. A SAM is formed on the first material by repeated cycles of SAM molecule exposure, heating and reactivation of the first material. A final exposure to the SAM molecules is performed prior to selectively depositing a film on the second material. Apparatus to perform the selective deposition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ke, Lei Zhou, Biao Liu, Cheng Pan, Yuanhong Guo, Liqi Wu, Michael S. Jackson, Ludovic Godet, Tobin Kaufman-Osborn, Erica Chen, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 10752990
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying a gas to a processing chamber are described. The apparatus comprises an inlet line and an outlet line, each with two valves, in fluid communication an ampoule. A bypass line connects the inlet valve and outlet valve closest to the ampoule. The apparatus and methods of use allow a precursor residue to be removed from the delivery lines of a processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Daping Yao, Kenric Choi, Xiaoxiong Yuan, Jiang Lu, Can Xu, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 10755947
    Abstract: Processing methods comprising etching a metal nitride layer with an etchant. The etchant can be, for example, WCl5, WOCl4 or TaCl5. Methods of improving the selectivity of etch processes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyu Zhang, Yixiong Yang, Mario D. Sanchez, Guoqiang Jian, Wei V. Tang, Paul F. Ma
  • Publication number: 20200234959
    Abstract: Methods of modifying the threshold voltage of metal oxide stacks are discussed. These methods utilize materials which provide larger shifts in threshold voltage while also being annealed at lower temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Siddarth Krishnan, Rajesh Sathiyanarayanan, Atashi Basu, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: RE48994
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectable with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Yudovsky, Mei Chang, Faruk Gungor, Paul F. Ma, David Chu, Chien-Teh Kao, Hyman W. H. Lam, Dien-Yeh Wu