Patents by Inventor Sen Liu

Sen Liu 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: 20140172283
    Abstract: An average vehicle speed calculation system and an average vehicle speed calculation method thereof are provided. The average vehicle speed calculation system comprises a calculation module and a mobile body. The mobile body includes a body speed detector, a radar speed detector and a transceiver. The body speed detector detects a body speed. The radar speed detector detects at least one speed of an adjacent vehicle. The transceiver connects to the calculation module via a network, and transmits the body speed and the at least one speed of the adjacent vehicle to the calculation module. The calculation module calculates an average vehicle speed according to the body speed and the at least one speed of the adjacent vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE FOR INFORMATION INDUSTRY
    Inventors: Jan-Shin HO, Wei-Shing WANG, Pei-Sen LIU, Kuen-Tai CHEN
  • Patent number: 8741545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8715907
    Abstract: A negative developable bottom antireflective coating (NDBARC) material includes a polymer containing an aliphatic alcohol moiety, an aromatic moiety, and a carboxylic acid moiety. The NDBARC composition is insoluble in a typical resist solvent such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) after coating and baking. The NDBARC material also includes a photoacid generator, and optionally a crosslinking compound. In the NDBARC material, the carboxylic acid provides the developer solubility, while the alcohol alone, the carboxylic acid alone, or their combination provides the PGMEA resistance. The NDBARC material has resistance to the resist solvent, and thus, intermixing does not occur between NDBARC and resist during resist coating over NDBARC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Jung Chen, Steven J. Holmes, Wu-Song Huang, Sen Liu
  • Patent number: 8709700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20140072916
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Breyta, Kuang-Jung Chen, Steven J. Holmes, Wu-Song Huang, Sen Liu
  • Patent number: 8663901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8658345
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20140024191
    Abstract: A method of forming different structures of a semiconductor device using a single mask and a hybrid photoresist. The method includes: applying a first photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first photoresist layer using a photomask to form a first patterned photoresist layer; using the first patterned photoresist layer to form a first structure of a semiconductor device; removing the first patterned photoresist layer; applying a second photoresist layer on the semiconductor substrate; patterning the second photoresist layer using the photomask to form a second patterned photoresist layer; using the second patterned photoresist layer to form a second structure of a semiconductor device; removing the second patterned photoresist layer; and wherein either the first or the second photoresist layer is a hybrid photoresist layer comprising a hybrid photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuang-Jung Chen, Kangguo Cheng, Bruce B. Doris, Steven J. Holmes, Sen Liu
  • Patent number: 8628910
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8628909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8623584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20140004712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a developable bottom antireflective coating (BARC) composition and a pattern forming method using the BARC composition. The BARC composition includes a first polymer having a first carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing alicyclic moiety, and a first chromophore moiety; a second polymer having a second carboxylic acid moiety, a hydroxy-containing acyclic moiety, and a second chromophore moiety; a crosslinking agent; and a radiation sensitive acid generator. The first and second chromophore moieties each absorb light at a wavelength from 100 nm to 400 nm. In the patterning forming method, a photoresist layer is formed over a BARC layer of the BARC composition. After exposure, unexposed regions of the photoresist layer and the BARC layer are selectively removed by a developer to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The BARC composition and the pattern forming method are especially useful for implanting levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuang-Jung Chen, Steven J. Holmes, Wu-Song Huang, Ranee Kwong, Sen Liu
  • Patent number: 8617791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8586283
    Abstract: A curable liquid formulation containing at least (i) one or more near-infrared absorbing triphenylamine-based dyes, and (ii) one or more casting solvents. The invention is also directed to solid near-infrared absorbing films composed of crosslinked forms of the curable liquid formulation. The invention is also directed to a microelectronic substrate containing a coating of the solid near-infrared absorbing film as well as a method for patterning a photoresist layer coated on a microelectronic substrate in the case where the near-infrared absorbing film is between the microelectronic substrate and a photoresist film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Glodde, Dario L. Goldfarb, Wu-Song Huang, Wai-Kin Li, Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi, Libor Vyklicky
  • Patent number: 8568960
    Abstract: A method that forms a film of photoresist composition on a substrate and exposes a first and second region of the film to radiation through a first and second mask having a first and second image pattern, respectively. The photoresist composition includes a polymer including labile group(s), base soluble group(s), a photosensitive acid generator, and a photosensitive base generator. The photosensitive acid generator generates first and second amounts of acid upon exposure to first and second doses of radiation, respectively. The second amount of acid exceeds the first amount of acid. The second dose of radiation exceeds the first dose of radiation. The photosensitive base generator generates a first and second amount of base upon exposure to the first and second dose of radiation, respectively. The first amount of base exceeds the first amount of acid. The second amount of acid exceeds the second amount of base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Jung Chen, Wu-Song Huang, Ranee Wai-Ling Kwong, Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 8518630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20130122421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid photoresist composition for improved resolution and a pattern forming method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition includes a radiation sensitive acid generator, a crosslinking agent and a polymer having a hydrophobic monomer unit and a hydrophilic monomer unit containing a hydroxyl group. At least some of the hydroxyl groups are protected with an acid labile moiety having a low activation energy. The photoresist is capable of producing a hybrid response to a single exposure. The patterning forming method utilizes the hybrid response to form a patterned structure in the photoresist layer. The photoresist composition and the pattern forming method of the present invention are useful for printing small features with precise image control, particularly spaces of small dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuang-Jung Chen, Wu-Song S. Huang, Sen Liu, Steven J. Holmes, Gregory Breyta
  • Patent number: 8394573
    Abstract: A method for reducing a photoresist critical dimension, the method comprising depositing a photoresist film on a substrate, wherein the photoresist film includes a thermal base generator; patterning the photoresist film to form a first patterned film possessing a first critical dimension; depositing a crosslinkable film over the first patterned film; heat-activating the first patterned film, either before or after depositing the crosslinkable film, to release a base in the first patterned film and cause crosslinking in the crosslinkable film in contact with the first patterned film; and developing the crosslinkable film to remove non-crosslinked soluble portions therein to form a second patterned film possessing a reduced critical dimension compared to the first critical dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wu-Song Huang, Kuang-Jung Chen, Wai-Kin Li, Sen Liu
  • Publication number: 20130040238
    Abstract: A negative developable bottom antireflective coating (NDBARC) material includes a polymer containing an aliphatic alcohol moiety, an aromatic moiety, and a carboxylic acid moiety. The NDBARC composition is insoluble in a typical resist solvent such as propylene glycol methyl ether acetate (PGMEA) after coating and baking. The NDBARC material also includes a photoacid generator, and optionally a crosslinking compound. In the NDBARC material, the carboxylic acid provides the developer solubility, while the alcohol alone, the carboxylic acid alone, or their combination provides the PGMEA resistance. The NDBARC material has resistance to the resist solvent, and thus, intermixing does not occur between NDBARC and resist during resist coating over NDBARC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: KUANG-JUNG CHEN, Steven J. Holmes, Wu-Song Huang, Sen Liu
  • Publication number: 20130017491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine-free photoacid generator (PAG) and a photoresist composition containing the same. The PAG is characterized by the presence of an onium cationic component and a fluorine-free fused ring heteroaromatic sulfonate anionic component containing one or more electron withdrawing substituents. The onium cationic component of the PAG is preferably a sulfonium or an iodonium cation. The photoresist composition further contains an acid sensitive imaging polymer. The photoresist composition is especially useful for forming material patterns on a semiconductor substrate using 193 nm (ArF) lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sen Liu, Pushkara R. Varanasi