Patents by Inventor Qun Xia

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).

  • Publication number: 20250112038
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing deposition precursors to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing precursor. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The methods may include forming plasma effluents of the deposition precursors. The methods may include depositing a layer of silicon-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing material on the substrate. The layer of silicon-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing material may be characterized by a dielectric constant of less than or about 4.0. The layer of silicon-carbon-and-nitrogen-containing material may be characterized by a leakage current at 2 MV/cm of less than or about 3E-08 A/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shanshan Yao, Xinyi Lu, Bo Xie, Chi-I Lang, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20250069884
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing a first silicon-containing precursor and a second 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 first silicon-containing precursors may include Si—O bonding. The methods may include forming a plasma of the first silicon-containing precursor and the second silicon-containing precursor in the processing region. The methods may include forming a layer of silicon-containing material on the substrate. The layer of silicon-containing material may be characterized by a dielectric constant less than or about 3.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Lu, Bo Xie, Kent Zhao, Shanshan Yao, Xiaobo Li, Chi-I Lang, Li-Qun Xia, Shankar Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20250062117
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing deposition precursors to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-oxygen-and-carbon-containing precursor. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The methods may include forming plasma effluents of the deposition precursors. The methods may include depositing a layer of silicon-oxygen—and—carbon-containing material on the substrate. The layer of silicon-oxygen—and—carbon-containing material may be characterized by a dielectric constant of less than or about 4.5. The layer of silicon-oxygen—and—carbon-containing material may be characterized by a density of greater than or about 2.0 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shanshan Yao, Bo Xie, Chi-I Lang, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20250053086
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a method of post development treatment of a metal-oxide photoresist. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a metal-oxide photoresist over a substrate, exposing the metal-oxide photoresist with an extreme ultra-violet (EUV) exposure to form exposed regions and unexposed regions, developing the exposed metal-oxide photoresist, and performing a surface treatment of the developed metal-oxide photoresist to form a coating on the developed metal-oxide photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: MADHUR SACHAN, BO XIE, LAKMAL CHARIDU KALUTARAGE, ZHENXING HAN, TZU SHUN YANG, LI-QUN XIA
  • Publication number: 20250054749
    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 a pulsing RF power operating at less than or about 2,000 W. The methods may include forming a layer of silicon-containing material on the substrate. The layer of silicon-containing material may be characterized by a dielectric constant less than or about 3.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Zhao, Rui Lu, Bo Xie, Shanshan Yao, Xiaobo Li, Chi-I Lang, Li-Qun Xia, Shankar Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20240420953
    Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include providing a treatment precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region. The substrate may include a layer of a silicon-containing material. The methods may include forming inductively-coupled plasma effluents of the treatment precursor. The methods may include contacting the layer of the silicon-containing material with the inductively-coupled plasma effluents of the treatment precursor to produce a treated layer of the silicon-containing material. The contacting may reduce a dielectric constant of the layer of the silicon-containing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Lu, Bo Xie, Wei Liu, Shanshan Yao, Xiaobo Li, Jingmei Liang, Li-Qun Xia, Shankar Venkataraman, Chi-I Lang
  • Publication number: 20240387167
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing deposition precursors to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-carbon-and-hydrogen-containing precursor. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The methods may include forming plasma effluents of the deposition precursors, wherein the plasma effluents are formed at a plasma power of less than or about 2,000 W. The methods may include depositing a layer of silicon-containing material on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shanshan Yao, Bo Xie, Chi-I Lang, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20240363337
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing methods are described for forming low-? dielectric materials. The methods may include providing deposition precursors to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The deposition precursors may include a silicon-carbon-and-hydrogen-containing precursor. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The methods may include forming plasma effluents of the deposition precursors. The methods may include depositing a layer of silicon-containing material on the substrate. The layer of silicon-containing material may be characterized by a dielectric constant of less than or about 4.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Muthukumar Kaliappan, Bo Xie, Shanshan Yao, Li-Qun Xia, Michael Haverty, Rui Lu, Xiaobo Li, Chi-I Lang, Shankar Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 12125675
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruitong Xiong, Bo Xie, Xiaobo Li, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 12119223
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Ruitong Xiong, Sure K. Ngo, Kang Sub Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 12110589
    Abstract: Methods comprising forming a metal oxide film by atomic layer deposition using water as an oxidant are described. The metal oxide film is exposed to a decoupled plasma comprising one or more of He, H2 or O2 to lower the wetch etch rate of the metal oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya E. Sato, Wei Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • Publication number: 20240332005
    Abstract: Embodiments include semiconductor processing methods to form dielectric films on semiconductor substrates are described. The methods may include providing a silicon-containing precursor and a nitrogen-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The methods may include providing an inert precursor to the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include generating plasma effluents of the silicon-containing precursor, the nitrogen-containing precursor, and the inert precursor. The methods may include depositing a silicon-containing material on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenhui Li, Bo Xie, Li-Qun Xia, Prayudi Lianto, Shanshan Yao
  • Publication number: 20240290611
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Xie, Kang S. Yim, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia, Ruitong Xiong
  • Patent number: 12065292
    Abstract: Plastic corrugated reusable boxes are provided. Two opposite side panels 12 erected from a blank over fold lines 18 at bottom panel edges; said side panel 12 having flaps 20 attached on either side folded inward and interlocked with flaps 22 folded inward from the opposite side. Narrow flaps 32 attached to top edges of said side panels 12 folded inward and flat. The rest two opposite side panels 14 erected over fold lines at rest bottom panel edges; top flaps 30 attached to the rest two side panels 14 folded inward covering the top surface. Interlocked flaps 20 and 22 are standing underneath top flaps 30 and alongside two opposite side panels 14. Lock tabs 40 attached to top flaps 20 folded down and inserted into said lock slots embedded in narrow flaps 22 alongside side panels 12 top edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventor: Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 11990332
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a conformal SiCON film on a surface are described. A SiCN film is formed on a substrate surface and exposed to a low temperature steam annealing process to form a film resistant to damage by rapid thermal processing or ashing. The film is treated by rapid thermal processing and then subjected to a high temperature anneal to form a film with a low dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, Mark Saly, Zhelin Sun, Ning Li, Mihaela Balseanu, Li-Qun Xia, Yijun Liu, Lin Yang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20240087881
    Abstract: Embodiments include semiconductor processing methods to form low-K films on semiconductor substrates are described. The processing methods may include flowing one or more deposition precursors to a semiconductor processing system, wherein the one or more deposition precursors include a silicon-containing precursor. The silicon-containing precursor may include a carbon chain. 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: Michael Haverty, Shruba Gangopadhyay, Bo Xie, Yijun Liu, Ruitong Xiong, Rui Lu, Xiaobo Li, Li-Qun Xia, Lakmal C. Kalutarage, Lauren Bagby
  • Publication number: 20240071817
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing one or more deposition precursors to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A semiconductor substrate may be positioned within the processing region. The methods may include forming a layer of low dielectric constant material on the semiconductor substrate. The methods may include purging the processing region of the one or more deposition precursors. A plasma power may be maintained at less than or about 750 W while purging the processing region. The methods may include forming an interface layer on the layer of low dielectric constant material. The methods may include forming a cap layer on the interface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruitong Xiong, Rui Lu, Xiaobo Li, Bo Xie, Yijun Liu, Li-Qun Xia
  • 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