Patents by Inventor Robert Vacassy

Robert Vacassy 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: 20250014911
    Abstract: A single platen Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process using a novel pad-in-a-bottle (PIB) technology and PIB type CMP slurries for back-end CMP application is described to replace multiple (such as three) platens Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process for back-end CMP applications. The single platen with a single polishing pad is used for the whole back-end CMP process comprising metal bulk, metal soft landing, and metal barrier CMP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: XIAOBO SHI, JOHN G LANGAN, MARK LEONARD O'NEILL, ROBERT VACASSY, JAMES A. SCHLUETER, ARA PHILIPOSSIAN, YASA SAMPURNO
  • Publication number: 20240425723
    Abstract: A novel pad-in-a-bottle (PIB) technology and PIB-type advanced chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) Copper or THROUGH-SILICON VIA (TSV) CMP compositions, systems and processes have been disclosed. The role of conventional polishing pad asperities is played by high-quality micron-size polyurethane (PU) beads that are comparable to the sizes of pores and asperities in polishing pads. The less expensive non-porous, and solid polishing pads were less expensive, have been employed for reducing electronic device fabrication cost. There are benefits for using PIB-type Cu CMP slurries vs Non-PIB type Cu CMP slurries. Increased Cu removal rates at different applied down forces and sliding velocities, reduced Cu line dishing across different sized Cu line features and slightly reduced averaged COF have been observed using PIB-type Cu CMP slurries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: XIAOBO SHI, JOHN G. LANGAN, MARK LEONARD O'NEILL, ROBERT VACASSY, ARA PHILIPOSSIAN, YASA SAMPURNO, JAMES A. SCHLUETER
  • Publication number: 20240352279
    Abstract: A novel pad-in-a-bottle (PIB) technology for advanced chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) copper barrier CMP compositions, systems and processes has been disclosed for use with polyurethane-based polishing pads having a plurality of asperities. The CMP composition comprises abrasives, polyurethane beads, and surfactant. The polishing pad lifetime increasing is achieved using PIB-type Cu barrier CMP polishing composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaobo Shi, Mark Leonard O'Neill, John G. Langan, Robert Vacassy, Jame Allen Schlueter, Yasa Sampurno, Ara Philipossian
  • Publication number: 20240006189
    Abstract: Provided are Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) compositions that offer high and tunable Cu removal rates and low Cu static etching rates for polishing the broad bulk or advanced node copper or Through Silica Via (TSV). The CMP compositions also provide high selectivity of Cu film vs. other barrier layers, such as Ta, TaN, Ti, TiN, and SiN; and dielectric films, such as TEOS, low-k, and ultra-low-k films. The CMP polishing compositions comprise abrasive, oxidizer, at least two chelators selected from the group consisting of amino acids, amino acid derivatives, and combinations therefore; the Cu static etching reducing agents include, but not limited to, organic alkyl sulfonic acids with straight or branched alkyl chains, and salts of organic alkyl sulfonic acids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaobo Shi, Hongjun Zhou, Robert Vacassy, Keh-Yeuan LI, Ming Shih Tsai, Rung-Je Yang
  • Patent number: 9951054
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing pad comprising a polymeric matrix and 0.1-15 wt. % of metal oxide particles. The polymeric matrix has pores, the metal oxide particles are uniformly distributed throughout the pores, and the metal oxide particles have a specific surface area of about 25 m2/g to about 450 m2/g. The invention further provides a method of polishing a substrate with the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shoutian Li, Robert Vacassy, Jaishankar Kasthuri
  • Patent number: 9463551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing. The polishing pad has a porous interface and a substantially non-porous bulk core. Also disclosed are related apparatus and methods for using and preparing the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, George Fotou
  • Patent number: 9074118
    Abstract: An aqueous chemical-mechanical polishing composition for polishing metal containing substrates comprising an abrasive particle consisting essentially of a primary particle modified with an aluminosilicate layer, and wherein the abrasive particle has a zeta potential measured at pH 2.3 of about ?5 mV to about ?100 mV. The composition can be used to polish the surface of a tungsten containing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Renjie Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150056892
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing. The polishing pad has a porous interface and a substantially non-porous bulk core. Also disclosed are related apparatus and methods for using and preparing the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Robert VACASSY, George FOTOU
  • Publication number: 20150056895
    Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad for chemical-mechanical polishing comprising a porous polymeric material, wherein the polishing pad comprises closed pores and wherein the polishing pad has a void volume fraction of 70% or more. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the aforesaid polishing pad and a method of polishing a substrate by use of theaforesaid polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: George Fotou, Achla Khanna, Robert Vacassy
  • Publication number: 20100273399
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing pad comprising a polymeric matrix and 0.1-15 wt. % of metal oxide particles. The polymeric matrix has pores, the metal oxide particles are uniformly distributed throughout the pores, and the metal oxide particles have a specific surface area of about 25 m2/g to about 450 m2/g. The invention further provides a method of polishing a substrate with the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Shoutian Li, Robert Vacassy, Jaishankar Kasthuri
  • Publication number: 20100190339
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) composition suitable for polishing a substrate comprising a phase change material (PCM), such as a germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST) alloy. The composition comprises a particulate abrasive material in combination with lysine, an optional oxidizing agent, and an aqueous carrier therefor. CMP methods for polishing a phase change material-containing substrate utilizing the composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Zhan Chen, Kai Luo, Robert Vacassy
  • Patent number: 7677956
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) an abrasive consisting essentially of aggregated silica, (b) an acid, and (c) a liquid carrier, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 5 or less. The invention is also directed to a method of polishing a substrate comprising a dielectric layer using the polishing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Carter, Gregory H Bogush, Farhana Khan, Timothy P Johns, Robert Vacassy
  • Publication number: 20090314744
    Abstract: An aqueous chemical-mechanical polishing composition for polishing metal containing substrates comprising an abrasive particle consisting essentially of a primary particle modified with an aluminosilicate layer, and wherein the abrasive particle has a zeta potential measured at pH 2.3 of about ?5 mV to about ?100 mV. The composition can be used to polish the surface of a tungsten containing substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Renjie Zhou
  • Patent number: 7582127
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising tungsten through use of a composition comprising a tungsten etchant, an inhibitor of tungsten etching, and water, wherein the inhibitor of tungsten polishing is a polymer, copolymer, or polymer blend comprising at least one repeating group comprising at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring or a tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom. The invention further provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition particularly useful in polishing tungsten-containing substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Dinesh N. Khanna, Alexander Simpson
  • Publication number: 20090191710
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the chemical-mechanical polishing of a substrate with a chemical-mechanical polishing composition that comprises an abrasive, a halide salt, water and a polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Phillip W. CARTER, Robert VACASSY
  • Publication number: 20080220610
    Abstract: The inventive method comprises chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with a polishing composition comprising a liquid carrier and sol-gel colloidal silica abrasive particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Bayer, Zhan Chen, Jeffrey P. Chamberlain, Robert Vacassy
  • Publication number: 20080020680
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition consisting essentially of silica, an oxidizing agent, a quaternary ammonium compound, and water. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the aforementioned polishing composition. The polishing composition provides for enhanced polishing rates when used to polish dielectric films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Benjamin Bayer, Zhan Chen, Jeffrey P. Chamberlain
  • Publication number: 20070266641
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition particularly useful in polishing tungsten-containing substrates. The composition comprises a tungsten etchant, an inhibitor of tungsten etching, and water, wherein the inhibitor of tungsten polishing is a polymer, copolymer, or polymer blend comprising at least one repeating group comprising at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring or a tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Dinesh Khanna, Alexander Simpson
  • Patent number: 7294576
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a chemical-mechanical polishing composition for polishing a substrate with at least a first layer and a second layer. The method comprises providing both a first chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising an abrasive with a selectivity for a first layer as compared to a second layer and a second chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising an abrasive with different selectivity for the first layer as compared to the second layer, wherein the second chemical-mechanical polishing composition is stable in the presence of the first chemical-mechanical polishing composition, and mixing the first and second chemical-mechanical polishing compositions in a ratio to achieve a final selectivity for the first layer as compared to the second layer. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Zhan Chen, Robert Vacassy, Benjamin Bayer, Dinesh Khanna
  • Publication number: 20070214728
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate comprising tungsten through use of a composition comprising a tungsten etchant, an inhibitor of tungsten etching, and water, wherein the inhibitor of tungsten polishing is a polymer, copolymer, or polymer blend comprising at least one repeating group comprising at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring or a tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom. The invention further provides a chemical-mechanical polishing composition particularly useful in polishing tungsten-containing substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Vacassy, Dinesh Khanna, Alexander Simpson