Patents by Inventor Robert P. Mandal

Robert P. Mandal 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: 7825042
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Publication number: 20100081291
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7633163
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7601631
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Appplied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7560377
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas comprising carbon at a constant RF power level. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cheung, Wai-Fan Yau, Robert P. Mandal, Shin-Puu Jeng, Kuo-Wei Liu, Yung-Cheng Lu, Michael Barnes, Ralf B. Willecke, Farhad Moghadam, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Tze Wing Poon
  • Patent number: 7399697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting a mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable component having thermally labile groups with an oxidizing gas in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7265062
    Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignees: Applied Materials, Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Mandal, Alexandros T. Demos, Timothy Weidman, Michael P. Nault, Nikolaos Bekiaris, Scott Jeffrey Weigel, Lee A. Senecal, James E. Mac Dougall, Hareesh Thridandam
  • Patent number: 7205224
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7094710
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 7030039
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coating a substrate with a polymer solution to produce a film of uniform thickness, includes mounting the substrate inside an enclosed housing and passing a control gas, which may be a solvent vapor-bearing gas into the housing through an inlet. The polymer solution is deposited onto the surface of the substrate in the housing and the substrate is then spun. The control gas and any solvent vapor and particulate contaminants suspended in the control gas are exhausted from the housing through an outlet and the solvent vapor concentration is controlled by controlling the temperature of the housing and the solvent from which the solvent vapor-bearing gas is produced. Instead the concentration can be controlled by mixing gases having different solvent concentrations. The humidity of the gas may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Tom Zhong, John Lewellen, Edward C. Lee, Robert P. Mandal, James C. Grambow, Ted C. Bettes, Donald R. Sauer, Edmond R. Ward, Jung-Hoon Chun, Sangjun Han
  • Patent number: 7018943
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coating a substrate with a polymer solution to produce a film of uniform thickness, includes mounting the substrate inside an enclosed housing and passing a control gas, which may be a solvent vapor-bearing gas into the housing through an inlet. The polymer solution is deposited onto the surface of the substrate in the housing and the substrate is then spun. The control gas and any solvent vapor and particulate contaminants suspended in the control gas are exhausted from the housing through an outlet and the solvent vapor concentration is controlled by controlling the temperature of the housing and the solvent from which the solvent vapor-bearing gas is produced. Instead the concentration can be controlled by mixing gases having different solvent concentrations. The humidity of the gas may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Gurer Emir, Tom Zhong, John Lewellen, Edward C. Lee, Robert P. Mandal, James C. Grambow, Ted C. Bettes, Donald R. Sauer, Edmond R. Ward
  • Patent number: 7012030
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 6977098
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for coating a substrate with a polymer solution to produce a film of uniform thickness, includes mounting the substrate inside an enclosed housing and passing a control gas, which may be a solvent vapor-bearing gas into the housing through an inlet. The polymer solution is deposited onto the surface of the substrate in the housing and the substrate is then spun. The control gas and any solvent vapor and particulate contaminants suspended in the control gas are exhausted from the housing through an outlet and the solvent vapor concentration is controlled by controlling the temperature of the housing and the solvent from which the solvent vapor-bearing gas is produced. Instead the concentration can be controlled by mixing gases having different solvent concentrations. The humidity of the gas may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Emir Gurer, Tom Zhong, John Lewellen, Ed Lee, Robert P. Mandal, James C. Grambow, Ted C. Bettes, Donald R. Sauer, Edmond R. Ward
  • Patent number: 6930061
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas at a constant RF power level from about 10 W to about 200 W or a pulsed RF power level from about 20 W to about 500 W. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: David Cheung, Wai-Fan Yau, Robert P. Mandal, Shin-Puu Jeng, Kuo-Wei Liu, Yung-Cheng Lu, Michael Barnes, Ralf B. Willecke, Farhad Moghadam, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Tze Wing Poon
  • Patent number: 6896955
    Abstract: A process for depositing porous silicon oxide-based films using a sol-gel approach utilizing a precursor solution formulation which includes a purified nonionic surfactant and an additive among other components, where the additive is either an ionic additive or an amine additive which forms an ionic ammonium type salt in the acidic precursor solution. Using this precursor solution formulation enables formation of a film having a dielectric constant less than 2.5, appropriate mechanical properties, and minimal levels of alkali metal impurities. In one embodiment, this is achieved by purifying the surfactant and adding ionic or amine additives such as tetraalkylammonium salts and amines to the stock precursor solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignees: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Mandal, Alexandros T. Demos, Timothy Weidman, Michael P. Nault, Nikolaos Bekiaris, Scott J. Weigel, Lee A. Senecal, James E. MacDougal, Hareesh Thridandam
  • Patent number: 6890639
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting a mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable component having thermally labile groups with an oxidizing gas in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 6891134
    Abstract: A bake plate is integrally formed from a copper disk whose lower surface defines a desired heater element channel pattern that is filled with electrically conductive resistive material. Copper contamination is prevented by coating the structure. The channel pattern and fill material may be tailored to optimize thermal uniformity across the bake plate surface, and to produce a bake plate that may be mass produced with substantially uniform and repeatable thermal characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Patent number: 6869896
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a low dielectric constant film by reaction of an organosilicon compound and an oxidizing gas comprising carbon at a constant RF power level. Dissociation of the oxidizing gas can be increased prior to mixing with the organosilicon compound, preferably within a separate microwave chamber, to assist in controlling the carbon content of the deposited film. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film has good barrier properties for use as a liner or cap layer adjacent other dielectric layers. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane film may also be used as an etch stop and an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures. The oxidized organosilane or organosiloxane films also provide excellent adhesion between different dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cheung, Wai-Fan Yau, Robert P. Mandal, Shin-Puu Jeng, Kuo-Wei Liu, Yung-Cheng Lu, Michael Barnes, Ralf B. Willecke, Farhad Moghadam, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Tze Wing Poon
  • Publication number: 20040235291
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing nano-porous low dielectric constant films by reacting an oxidizable silicon containing compound or mixture comprising an oxidizable silicon component and an oxidizable non-silicon component having thermally liable groups with nitrous oxide, oxygen, ozone, or other source of reactive oxygen in gas-phase plasma-enhanced reaction. The deposited silicon oxide based film is annealed to form dispersed microscopic voids that remain in a nano-porous silicon oxide based film having a low-density structure. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films are useful for forming layers between metal lines with or without liner or cap layers. The nano-porous silicon oxide based films may also be used as an intermetal dielectric layer for fabricating dual damascene structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal
  • Publication number: 20040155026
    Abstract: A bake plate is integrally formed from a copper disk whose lower surface defines a desired heater element channel pattern that is filled with electrically conductive resistive material. Copper contamination is prevented by coating the structure. The channel pattern and fill material may be tailored to optimize thermal uniformity across the bake plate surface, and to produce a bake plate that may be mass produced with substantially uniform and repeatable thermal characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Robert P. Mandal