Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Meyer

Stephen T. Meyer 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: 11966159
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Patent number: 11947262
    Abstract: The processing of radiation patternable organometallic coatings is shown to be improved through the appropriate selection of post processing conditions between coating and development of the pattern. In particular, a coated wafer can be subjected to process delays to allow aging of the coating at various process points, in particular following irradiation. Process delays can be combined and interspersed with heating steps. The atmosphere above the coated wafer at various process steps can be adjusted to obtain desired improvements in the development of the pattern. Reactive gases can be beneficial with respect to improvement of coating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Telecky, Jason K. Stowers, Douglas A. Keszler, Stephen T. Meyers, Peter de Schepper, Sonia Castellanos Ortega, Michael Greer, Kirsten Louthan
  • Publication number: 20240094632
    Abstract: Precursor solutions for radiation patternable coatings are formed with an organic solvent and monoalkyl tin trialkoxides in which the water content of the solvent is adjusted to be within 10 percent of a selected value. Generally, the water content of the solvent is adjusted through water addition, although water removal can also be used. In some embodiments, the adjusted water content of the solvent can be from about 250 ppm by weight to about 10,000 ppm by weight. With the appropriate selection of ligands, the adjusted precursor solutions can be stable for at least about 42 days, and in some cases at least 8 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Kai Jiang, Stephen T. Meyers, Lauren B. McQuade, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Benjamin L. Clark, Dominick Smiddy, Margaret Wilson-Moses
  • Publication number: 20240085785
    Abstract: A method for patterning a radiation sensitive material on a substrate involves the development of a material on a substrate based on a latent image in the material with irradiated regions and non-irradiated regions to form a physically patterned material on the substrate, in which the material comprises an organotin radiation sensitive patterning material and an additive. The additive is a photoacid generator, a quencher or a mixture thereof. Patterning improvements can be achieved using a series of a baking and development step followed by a second baking at a higher temperature and a second development step following the second baking step. A precursor solution for forming an organometallic radiation patterning material can comprise an organic solvent, a dissolved organotin composition having C—Sn bonds that can cleave in response to EUV radiation, and a quencher. The additive can comprise an onium cation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuki Kasahara, Brian J. Cardineau, Kai Jiang, Stephen T. Meyers, Amrit N. Narasimhan, Matthew Voss
  • Patent number: 11868046
    Abstract: Precursor solutions for radiation patternable coatings are formed with an organic solvent and monoalkyl tin trialkoxides in which the water content of the solvent is adjusted to be within 10 percent of a selected value. Generally, the water content of the solvent is adjusted through water addition, although water removal can also be used. In some embodiments, the adjusted water content of the solvent can be from about 250 ppm by weight to about 10,000 ppm by weight. With the appropriate selection of ligands, the adjusted precursor solutions can be stable for at least about 42 days, and in some cases at least 8 months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Kai Jiang, Stephen T. Meyers, Lauren B. McQuade, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Benjamin L Clark, Dominick Smiddy, Margaret Wilson-Moses
  • Publication number: 20230374338
    Abstract: Organotin compositions having the formula RSnL3 and corresponding synthetic methods are described. R includes aromatic, cyclic and/or halogenated ether moieties, or polyethers, and L includes hydrolysable groups. The organotin compositions may be formed as radiation-patternable coatings on substrates. The coatings may have an average thickness from about 1 nm to about 75 nm and have the formula RSnOn(OH)3-2n, forming an oxo-hydroxo network, where R is a hydrocarbyl ether group with 1 to 30 carbon atoms and 0<n<3/2, wherein regions of the coating are soluble in 2-heptanone in a puddle development step following a bake at 150° C. for 120 seconds. The coatings may be radiation-patternable using UV, EUV or ion beam radiation, and corresponding methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Robert E. Jilek, Brian J. Cardineau, Lucy Su Xiao Huffman, Stephen T. Meyers
  • Patent number: 11809081
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky
  • Patent number: 11754924
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky
  • Patent number: 11740559
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for removing edge bead on a wafer associated with a resist coating comprising a metal containing resist compositions. The methods can comprise applying a first bead edge rinse solution along a wafer edge following spin coating of the wafer with the metal based resist composition, wherein the edge bead solution comprises an organic solvent and an additive comprising a carboxylic acid, an inorganic fluorinated acid, a tetraalkylammonium compound, or a mixture thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the methods can comprise applying a protective composition to the wafer prior to performing an edge bead rinse. The protective composition can be a sacrificial material or an anti-adhesion material and can be applied only to the wafer edge or across the entire wafer in the case of the protective composition. Corresponding apparatuses for processing the wafers using these methods are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Mollie Waller, Brian J. Cardineau, Kai Jiang, Alan J. Telecky, Stephen T. Meyers, Benjamin L. Clark
  • Publication number: 20230143592
    Abstract: An organotin precursor solution is described comprising an organic solvent, an optional additive, and an organotin composition represented by one or more organotin compounds represented by the formula RSnL3, wherein each R is independently a hydrocarbyl ligand having from 1 to 31 carbon atoms and each L is independently a hydrolysable ligand, wherein the total concentration of Sn is from about 0.001 M to about 0.5 M. The solvent can comprises a linear alcohol with from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and the organotin precursor solution can have an initial water content from about 100 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, in which the organotin precursor solution has a reduced rate of water dissipation relative to an equivalent organotin precursor solution formed with 4-methyl-2-pentanol. The organotin precursor solutions can be prepared through the selection of an appropriate stabilizing compound, which can be a linear, short chain alcohol and an appropriate additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Kai Jiang, Alan J. Telecky, Stephen T. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20230004081
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Publication number: 20230004083
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Publication number: 20230004082
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Publication number: 20230004090
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky
  • Publication number: 20220411446
    Abstract: Organotin compounds are presented that are represented by the formula RSnL3, wherein R is a deuterated hydrocarbyl group and L is a hydrolysable ligand. Two different synthesis techniques are described for synthesizing these compositions. A first method involves reacting a primary halide hydrocarbyl compound (R—X, where X is a halide atom) with an organometallic composition comprising SnL3 moieties associated with metal cations M, where M is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and/or pseudo-alkaline earth metal (Zn, Cd, or Hg), and L is either an amide ligand resulting in an alkali metal tin triamide compound or an acetylide ligand resulting in an alkali metal tin triacetylide, to form correspondingly a monohydrocarbyl tin triamide (RSn(NR?2)3) or a monohydrocarbyl tin triacetylide (RSn(C?CRs)3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Jilek, Brian J. Cardineau, Kierra Huihui-Gist, Stephen T. Meyers
  • Patent number: 11537048
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky
  • Publication number: 20220365429
    Abstract: Organometallic solutions have been found to provide high resolution radiation based patterning using thin coatings. The patterning can involve irradiation of the coated surface with a selected pattern and developing the pattern with a developing agent to form the developed image. The patternable coatings may be susceptible to positive-tone patterning or negative-tone patterning based on the use of an organic developing agent or an aqueous acid or base developing agent. The radiation sensitive coatings can comprise a metal oxo/hydroxo network with organic ligands. A precursor solution can comprise an organic liquid and metal polynuclear oxo-hydroxo cations with organic ligands having metal carbon bonds and/or metal carboxylate bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Douglas A. Keszler, Kai Jiang, Jeremy T. Anderson, Andrew Grenville
  • Patent number: 11500284
    Abstract: Organometallic radiation resist compositions are described based on tin ions with alkyl ligands. Some of the compositions have branched alkyl ligands to provide for improved patterning contrast while maintaining a high degree of solution stability. Blends of compounds with distinct alkyl ligands can provide further improvement in the patterning. High resolution patterning with a half-pitch of no more than 25 nm can be achieved with a line width roughness of no more than about 4.5 nm. Synthesis techniques have been developed that allow for the formation of alkyl tin oxide hydroxide compositions with very low metal contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Inpria Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Michael K. Kocsis, Alan J. Telecky, Brian J. Cardineau
  • Publication number: 20220334487
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky
  • Publication number: 20220334488
    Abstract: Organometallic precursors are described for the formation of high resolution lithography patterning coatings based on metal oxide hydroxide chemistry. The precursor compositions generally comprise ligands readily hydrolysable by water vapor or other OH source composition under modest conditions. The organometallic precursors generally comprise a radiation sensitive organo ligand to tin that can result in a coating that can be effective for high resolution patterning at relatively low radiation doses and is particularly useful for EUV patterning. The precursors compositions are readily processable under commercially suitable conditions. Solution phase processing with in situ hydrolysis or vapor based deposition can be used to form the coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen T. Meyers, Jeremy T. Anderson, Brian J. Cardineau, Joseph B. Edson, Kai Jiang, Douglas A. Keszler, Alan J. Telecky