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).

  • Publication number: 20160204027
    Abstract: Methods for direct deposition of a metal silicide nanowire for back-end interconnection structures for semiconductor applications are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber, the substrate having a first surface comprising a non-dielectric material; and a dielectric layer formed on the first surface. An opening is formed in the dielectric layer, the opening exposing at least a portion of the first surface, the opening having sidewalls. A metal silicide seed is deposited in the opening using a PVD process, wherein the PVD process is performed with either no bias or a bias which creates deposition on the sidewall which is less than 1% of the deposition on the first surface. A metal silicide layer is then selectively deposited on the metal silicide seed using a metal-silicon organic precursor, creating the metal silicide nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Annamalai LAKSHMANAN, Bencherki MEBARKI, Kaushal K. SINGH, Paul F. MA, Mehul B. NAIK, Andrew COCKBURN, Ludovic GODET
  • Publication number: 20160133563
    Abstract: Methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods for selectively depositing a cobalt layer include: exposing a substrate to a first process gas to passivate an exposed dielectric surface, wherein the substrate comprises a dielectric layer having an exposed dielectric surface and a metal layer having an exposed metal surface; and selectively depositing a cobalt layer atop the exposed metal surface using a thermal deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: HUA AI, JIANG LU, AVGERINOS V. GELATOS, PAUL F. MA, SANG HO YU, FENG Q. LIU, XINYU FU, WEIFENG YE
  • Publication number: 20160118260
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Bencherki MEBARKI, Annamalai LAKSHMANAN, Kaushal K. SINGH, Andrew COCKBURN, Ludovic GODET, Paul F. MA, Mehul NAIK
  • Publication number: 20160064275
    Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing a metal selectively onto a metal surface relative to a dielectric surface. Methods include reducing a metal oxide surface to a metal surface and protecting a dielectric surface to minimize deposition thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Paul F. Ma, Hua Ai, Jiang Lu, Mei Chang, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160052772
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering precursor materials derived from liquid chemicals to a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a liquid chemical delivery apparatus includes: a body having an inner volume to hold a liquid chemical, an inlet to receive a carrier gas into the inner volume, and an outlet to flow the carrier gas from the inner volume, wherein a bottom of the inner volume includes a reduced volume portion; and a level sensor configured to detect a level of the liquid chemical in the reduced volume portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: ILKER DURUKAN, MUHAMMAD M. RASHEED, PAUL F. MA
  • Publication number: 20160032455
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal layer utilizing organometallic compounds. A substrate surface is exposed to a gaseous organometallic metal precursor and an organometallic metal reactant to form a metal layer (e.g., a copper layer) on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Feng Q. Liu, Ben-Li Sheu, David Thompson, Mei Chang, Paul F. Ma, David Knapp, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Annamalai Lakshmanan
  • Patent number: 9236467
    Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing hafnium or zirconium containing metal alloy films. Certain methods comprise sequentially exposing a substrate surface to alternating flows of an organometallic precursor and a reductant comprising M(BH4)4 to produce a metal alloy film on the substrate surface, wherein M is selected from hafnium and zirconium, and the organometallic precursor contains a metal N. Gate stacks are described comprising a copper barrier layer comprising boron, a first metal M selected from Hf and Zr, and a second metal N selected from tantalum, tungsten, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, cobalt and nickel; and a copper layer overlying the copper barrier seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Weidman, Timothy Michaelson, Paul F. Ma, Paul Deaton
  • Patent number: 9209074
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes for depositing a cobalt layer on a barrier layer and subsequently depositing a conductive material, such as copper or a copper alloy, thereon. In one embodiment, a method for depositing materials on a substrate surface is provided which includes forming a barrier layer on a substrate, exposing the substrate to dicobalt hexacarbonyl butylacetylene (CCTBA) and hydrogen to form a cobalt layer on the barrier layer during a vapor deposition process (e.g., CVD or ALD), and depositing a conductive material over the cobalt layer. In some examples, the barrier layer and/or the cobalt layer may be exposed to a gas or a reagent during a treatment process, such as a thermal process, an in situ plasma process, or a remote plasma process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jiang Lu, Hyoung-Chan Ha, Paul F. Ma, Seshadri Ganguli, Joseph F. Aubuchon, Sang-ho Yu, Murali K. Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20150348902
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of forming a semiconductor structure may include etching a via through a semiconductor structure to expose a first circuit layer interconnect metal. The methods may include forming a layer of a material overlying the exposed first circuit layer interconnect metal. The methods may also include forming a barrier layer within the via having minimal coverage along the bottom of the via. The methods may additionally include forming a second circuit layer interconnect metal overlying the layer of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul Naik, Paul F. Ma, Srinivas D. Nemani
  • Publication number: 20150255333
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide processes for depositing a cobalt layer on a barrier layer and subsequently depositing a conductive material, such as copper or a copper alloy, thereon. In one embodiment, a method for depositing materials on a substrate surface is provided which includes forming a barrier layer on a substrate, exposing the substrate to dicobalt hexacarbonyl butylacetylene (CCTBA) and hydrogen to form a cobalt layer on the barrier layer during a vapor deposition process (e.g., CVD or ALD), and depositing a conductive material over the cobalt layer. In some examples, the barrier layer and/or the cobalt layer may be exposed to a gas or a reagent during a treatment process, such as a thermal process, an in situ plasma process, or a remote plasma process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jiang LU, Hyoung-Chan HA, Paul F. MA, Seshadri GANGULI, Joseph F. AUBUCHON, Sang-ho YU, Murali K. NARASIMHAN
  • Patent number: 9109754
    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: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Yudovsky, Mei Chang, Faruk Gungor, Paul F. Ma, David Chu, Chien-Teh Kao, Hyman Lam, Dien-Yeh Wu
  • Publication number: 20150194384
    Abstract: Described are semiconductor devices and methods of making semiconductor devices with a barrier layer comprising cobalt and manganese nitride. Also described are semiconductor devices and methods of making same with a barrier layer comprising CoMn(N) and, optionally, an adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Sang Ho Yu, Paul F. Ma, Jiang Lu, Ben-Li Sheu
  • Patent number: 9076661
    Abstract: Described are methods of forming a semiconductor device. Certain methods comprises depositing a film comprising manganese nitride over a dielectric; depositing a copper seed layer over the film; and depositing a copper fill layer over the copper seed layer. Also described are semiconductor devices. Certain semiconductor devices comprise a low-k dielectric layer; a manganese nitride layer overlying the low-k dielectric layer; a seed layer selected from a copper seed layer or electrochemical deposition seed layer overlying the manganese nitride layer; a copper layer overlying the copper seed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Ma, Jennifer Meng Tseng, Mei Chang, Annamalai Lakshmanan, Jing Tang
  • Patent number: 9048294
    Abstract: Described are manganese-containing films, as well as methods for providing the manganese-containing films. Doping manganese-containing films with Co, Mn, Ru, Ta, Al, Mg, Cr, Nb, Ti or V allows for enhanced copper barrier properties of the manganese-containing films. Also described are methods of providing films with a first layer comprising manganese silicate and a second layer comprising a manganese-containing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Tang, Zhefeng Li, Paul F. Ma, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 9048183
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods for depositing metal-containing materials. The methods include deposition processes that form metal, metal carbide, metal silicide, metal nitride, and metal carbide derivatives by a vapor deposition process, including thermal decomposition, CVD, pulsed-CVD, or ALD. A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes depositing a dielectric material forming a feature definition in the dielectric material, depositing a work function material conformally on the sidewalls and bottom of the feature definition, and depositing a metal gate fill material on the work function material to fill the feature definition, wherein the work function material is deposited by reacting at least one metal-halide precursor having the formula MXY, wherein M is tantalum, hafnium, titanium, and lanthanum, X is a halide selected from the group of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, and y is from 3 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Seshadri Ganguli, Srinivas Gandikota, Yu Lei, Xinliang Lu, Sang Ho Yu, Hoon Kim, Paul F. Ma, Mei Chang, Maitreyee Mahajani, Patricia M. Liu
  • Publication number: 20150132951
    Abstract: Methods of selectively depositing a feature onto a substrate surface while maintaining substantially straight sidewalls on the feature. A portion of the feature is grown and then covered with a protective film. The protective film is removed from the top of the feature, leaving some of the film on the sides of the feature and the process is repeated to grow a feature of desired thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Paul F. Ma, Jiang Lu, Guodan Wei
  • Patent number: 8828866
    Abstract: Provided are methods of forming a ternary metal nitride film and more specifically, a TaSiN film. A metal nitride film, or TaN film, is deposited on a substrate with plasma treatment. A SiN layer is deposited on the metal nitride, or TaN, film to form a metal-SiN, or TaSiN, film. The film is then annealed to provide a metal nitride film with stable resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Guodan Wei, Paul F. Ma
  • Patent number: 8815344
    Abstract: Method for selectively depositing an atomic layer deposition film on a substrate having two different surfaces are generally described. More specifically, methods for depositing TaN selectively onto one or more of a dielectric or metal versus the other of a dielectric of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Ma
  • Publication number: 20140231930
    Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing hafnium or zirconium containing metal alloy films. Certain methods comprise sequentially exposing a substrate surface to alternating flows of an organometallic precursor and a reductant comprising M(BH4)4 to produce a metal alloy film on the substrate surface, wherein M is selected from hafnium and zirconium, and the organometallic precursor contains a metal N. Gate stacks are described comprising a copper barrier layer comprising boron, a first metal M selected from Hf and Zr, and a second metal N selected from tantalum, tungsten, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, cobalt and nickel; and a copper layer overlying the copper barrier seed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy W. Weidman, Timothy Michaelson, Paul F. Ma, Paul Deaton
  • Publication number: 20140220772
    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 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Annamalai Lakshmanan, Ben-Li Sheu, Guodan Wei, Nicole Lundy, Paul F. Ma