Patents by Inventor Robert J. Small

Robert J. Small 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: 20040134873
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a metal, a metal oxide, and/or a metal nitride layer of a substrate, which composition is substantially free of abrasive particles and comprises: a hydroxylamine derivative; a corrosion inhibitor; and water, wherein water comprises the majority of the composition. The composition may optionally include, or alternately be substantially free from, one or more of the following: hydroxylamine, acid and/or base to adjust pH, two carbon atom linkage alkanolamine compounds, quaternary ammonium salts, chelating agents, organic solvents, non-hydroxyl-containing amine compounds, surfactants, additional oxidizing agents, and non-abrasive additives. A process for chemically mechanically polishing a substrate using such a polishing composition is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Li Yao, Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6756308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of ozone (O3) as a reagent in chemical mechanical planarization either in aqueous solution or as a gas directly impinging on the surface to be planarized. An aqueous solution containing ozone may optionally contain abrasive particles and/or additional CMP reagents co-dissolved with the ozone including carbonate and bicarbonate anions, and organic acids such as formic, oxalic, acetic and glycol. Abrasives that may be added include alumina, silica, spinel, ceria, zirconia. Typical concentrations of ozone aqueous solution are in the range from approximately 1 part-per-million up to saturation. Ammonium salts, particularly ammonium carbonate, facilitate planarization in cooperation with ozone-containing aqueous solution. Low k dielectric materials, organic as well as inorganic, and difficult to oxidize metals can be planarized with ozone reagents pursuant to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Xiaowei Shang
  • Publication number: 20040072439
    Abstract: A composition for chemical mechanical polishing includes a slurry. A sufficient amount of a selectively oxidizing and reducing compound is provided in the composition to produce a differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A pH adjusting compound adjusts the pH of the composition to provide a pH that makes the selectively oxidizing and reducing compound provide the differential removal of the metal and the dielectric material. A composition for chemical mechanical polishing is improved by including an effective amount for chemical mechanical polishing of a hydroxylamine compound, ammonium persulfate, a compound which is an indirect source of hydrogen peroxide, a peracetic acid or periodic acid. A method for chemical mechanical polishing comprises applying a slurry to a metal and dielectric material surface to produce mechanical removal of the metal and the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J, Small, Laurence McGhee, David J. Maloney, Maria L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20040038840
    Abstract: The present invention provides a semiaqueous cleaning composition for use with aluminum, copper, and low-k substrates, the cleaning composition comprising between about 1% to about 30% oxalic acid dihydrate, between about 0.1% and about 30% of an amine, and water, wherein the cleaning composition contains less than about 0.5% fluorine-containing compounds and less than 0.5% peroxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Shihying Lee, Robert J. Small
  • Publication number: 20040029495
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for chemical-mechanical polishing which comprises at least one abrasive particle having a surface at least partially coated by a catalyst. The catalyst comprises a metal other than a metal of Group 4(b), Group 5(b) or Group 6(b). The composition further comprises at least one oxidizing agent. The composition is believed to be effective by virtue of the interaction between the catalyst coated on the surface of the abrasive particles and the oxidizing agent, at the catalyst surface. The invention further provides a method that employs the composition in the polishing of a feature or layer, such as a metal film, on a substrate surface. The invention additionally provides a substrate produced this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Brandon S. Scott
  • Publication number: 20040025444
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for chemical-mechanical polishing which comprises an oxidizing agent, an abrasive, and a Fenton's reagent. The oxidizing agent comprises a per compound, such as periodic acid, a peroxide, or a persulfate. The abrasive comprises a metal oxide, such as colloidal silica, alumina, or spinel. The Fenton's reagent comprises a metal selected from a group consisting of metals in Group 1(b) and Group 8, such as iron, copper and silver. The composition is believed to be effective by virtue of the interaction between the oxidizing agent and the Fenton's reagent that is at least partially linked to the surface of the abrasive. The invention further provides a method that employs the composition in the polishing of a feature or layer, such as a metal film, on a substrate surface. The invention additionally provides a substrate produced this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Xiaowei C. Shang
  • Publication number: 20040006924
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for chemical-mechanical polishing which comprises at least one abrasive particle having a surface at least partially coated by a activator. The activator comprises a metal other than a metal of Group 4(b), Group 5(b) or Group 6(b). The composition further comprises at least one oxidizing agent. The composition is believed to be effective by virtue of the interaction between the activator coated on the surface of the abrasive particles and the oxidizing agent, at the activator surface, to form free radicals. The invention further provides a method that employs the composition in the polishing of a feature or layer, such as a metal film, on a substrate surface. The invention additionally provides a substrate produced this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Brandon Shane Scott, Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6645930
    Abstract: Clean room wipe products, methods of preparing them, and methods of using them are described. The clean room wipes are intended for use in cleaning up alkaline contaminants in clean room environments. The wipes contain impregnated acidic solutions, e.g., solutions of organic acids and optionally solvents, which are intended to reduce or eliminate the possibility of spontaneous combustion of the contaminated wipes, that is, when the wipes are used to contain spills of alkaline products such as hydroxylamine-based products and other caustic based formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny L. Wallis, Robert J. Small
  • Patent number: 6638326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for the chemical mechanical planarization (“CMP”) of barrier/adhesion layers, particularly Ta/TaN barrier/adhesion layers as occur in the manufacture of integrated circuits. CMP compositions comprise an aqueous solution of oxidizer and colloidal silica abrasive. Oxidizers include hydroxylamine nitrate, nitric acid, benzotriazole, ammonium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, hydrazine and mixtures thereof in aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Maria Peterson, Tuan Truong, Melvin Keith Carter, Lily Yao
  • Patent number: 6635186
    Abstract: A composition for chemical mechanical polishing includes a slurry. A sufficient amount of a selectively oxidizing and reducing compound is provided in the composition to produce a differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A pH adjusting compound adjusts the pH of the composition to provide a pH that makes the selectively oxidizing and reducing compound provide the differential removal of the metal and the dielectric material. A composition for chemical mechanical polishing is improved by including an effective amount for chemical mechanical polishing of a hydroxylamine compound, ammonium persulfate, a compound which is an indirect source of hydrogen peroxide, a peracetic acid or periodic acid. A method for chemical mechanical polishing comprises applying a slurry to a metal and dielectric material surface to produce mechanical removal of the metal and the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Laurence McGhee, David J. Maloney, Maria L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030194879
    Abstract: A composition for chemical-mechanical planarization comprises periodic acid and an abrasive present in a combined amount sufficient to planarize a substrate surface having a feature thereon comprising a noble metal, noble metal alloy, noble metal oxide, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the periodic acid is present in an amount in a range of from about 0.05 to about 0.3 moles/kilogram, and the abrasive is present in an amount in a range of from about 0.2 to about 6 weight percent. In another embodiment, the composition further comprises a pH-adjusting agent present in an amount sufficient to cause the pH of the composition to be in a range of from about pH 5 to about pH 10, or of from about pH 1 to about pH 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Zhefei J. Chen
  • Publication number: 20030176068
    Abstract: A composition for chemical mechanical polishing includes a slurry. A sufficient amount of a selectively oxidizing and reducing compound is provided in the composition to produce a differential removal of a metal and a dielectric material. A pH adjusting compound adjusts the pH of the composition to provide a pH that makes the selectively oxidizing and reducing compound provide the differential removal of the metal and the dielectric material. A composition for chemical mechanical polishing is improved by including an effective amount for chemical mechanical polishing of a hydroxylamine compound, ammonium persulfate, a compound which is an indirect source of hydrogen peroxide, a peracetic acid or periodic acid. A method for chemical mechanical polishing comprises applying a slurry to a metal and dielectric material surface to produce mechanical removal of the metal and the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Laurence McGhee, David J. Maloney, Maria L. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20030171239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating a surface of a substrate by foam technology that includes at least one treatment chemical. The invention more particularly relates to the removal of undesired matter from the surface of substrates with small features, where such undesired matter may comprise organic and inorganic compounds such as particles, films from photoresist material, and traces of any other impurities such as metals deposited during planarization or etching. A method according to the present invention for treating a surface of a substrate comprises generating a foam from a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises a gas; a surfactant; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a fluoride, a hydroxylamine, an amine and periodic acid; contacting the foam with the surface of a substrate; and, removing the undesired matter from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Bakul P. Patel, Mihaela Anca-Mac Cernat, Robert J. Small
  • Publication number: 20030164471
    Abstract: The present invention relates chemical mechanical planarization (“CMP”) of copper surfaces and describes copper CMP slurries including an oxidizer, one or more hydroxylamine compounds and at least one abrasive. The hydroxylamine compositions can include hydroxylamine nitrate, hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine sulfate, hydroxyl ammonium salts and mixtures thereof. The oxidizers may further include citric acid as a complexing agent for copper. Sulfuric acid and/or nitric acid provide means for modifying the pH of the oxidizer so that the hydroxylamine chemistries are acidic. Some embodiments include corrosion inhibitors such as benzotriazole, 2,4-pentadione dioxime and/or 1,6-dioxaspiro[4,4]nonane 2,7-dione. Some embodiments also include a free radical inhibitor, advantageously hydrazine. Colloidal silica and milled alumina are used as typical abrasive components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Maria Peterson, Tuan Truong, Melvin Keith Carter, Lily Yao
  • Publication number: 20030162398
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for chemical-mechanical polishing which comprises at least one abrasive particle having a surface at least partially coated by a catalyst. The catalyst comprises a metal other than a metal of Group 4(b), Group 5(b) or Group 6(b). The composition further comprises at least one oxidizing agent. The composition is believed to be effective by virtue of the interaction between the catalyst coated on the surface of the abrasive particles and the oxidizing agent, at the catalyst surface. The invention further provides a method that employs the composition in the polishing of a feature or layer, such as a metal film, on a substrate surface. The invention additionally provides a substrate produced this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Brandon S. Scott
  • Publication number: 20030131535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for the chemical mechanical planarization (“CMP”) of barrier/adhesion layers, particularly Ta/TaN barrier/adhesion layers as occur in the manufacture of integrated circuits. CMP compositions comprise an aqueous solution of oxidizer and colloidal silica abrasive. Oxidizers include hydroxylamine nitrate, nitric acid, benzotriazole, ammonium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, hydrazine and mixtures thereof in aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Maria Peterson, Tuan Troung, Melvin Keith Carter, Lily Yao
  • Publication number: 20030130149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to, inter alia, a composition for stripping photoresist from substrates comprising: about 5% to about 50% by weight of an alkyl substituted pyrrolidone, an alkyl substituted piperidone, or a mixture thereof, about 0.2% to about 20% of one or more alkanolamines, and about 50% to about 94% of a sulfoxide, sulfoxone, or mixture thereof. Advantageously, the composition can remove copper from a copper substrate at a rate of less than about 10 Å per minute when the substrate is immersed in the composition which is held at 70° C. for 30 minutes and rotated relative to the composition at about 200 revolutions per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: De-Ling Zhou, Robert J. Small
  • Publication number: 20030073601
    Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compositions and methods of use for cleaning CMP equipment, including the interiors of delivery conduits carrying CMP slurry to the necessary sites. The chemical compositions of the present invention are also useful for post- CMP cleaning of the wafer itself. Three classes of cleaning compositions are described, all of which are aqueous solutions. One class operates in a preferable pH range from about 11 to about 12 and preferably contains one or more non-ionic surfactants, one or more simple amines, a surfactant or sticking agent such as one or more soluble dialcohol organic compounds and one or more quaternary amines. A second class of cleaning composition operates in a preferable pH range of approximately 8.5 and contains citric acid and oxalic acid. A third class of compositions is acidic, having a preferable pH range from about 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Small, Joo-Yun Lee
  • Patent number: 6546939
    Abstract: A composition for removal of chemical residues from metal or dielectric surfaces or for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper or aluminum surface is an aqueous solution with a pH between about 3.5 and about 7. The composition contains a monofunctional, difunctional or trifunctional organic acid and a buffering amount of a quaternary amine, ammonium hydroxide, hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine salt, hydrazine or hydrazine salt base. A method in accordance with the invention for removal of chemical residues from a metal or dielectric surface comprises contacting the metal or dielectric surface with the above composition for a time sufficient to remove the chemical residues. A method in accordance with the invention for chemical mechanical polishing of a copper or aluminum surface comprises applying the above composition to the copper or aluminum surface, and polishing the surface in the presence of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Small
  • Publication number: 20030032567
    Abstract: A composition for removing resists and etching residue from substrates containing at least one nucleophilic amine compound having oxidation and reduction potentials, at least one organic solvent, water and, optionally, a chelating agent is described. The chelating agent is preferred to be included since it provides added stability and activity to the cleaning composition so that the composition has long term effectiveness. If a chelating agent is not present, the composition, while providing for adequate stripping and cleaning upon initial use of the composition following mixing, has only short term stability. In this latter instance, the nucleophilic amine compound and organic solvent components of the composition preferably are maintained separate from each other until it is desired to use the composition. Thereafter, the components are combined. Following use of the composition, the non-used portion of the composition can be disposed of or be reactivated by the addition of a chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Mun Lee, Charles U. Pittman, Robert J. Small