Patents by Inventor Takao Inada

Takao Inada 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: 11742226
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing tank that stores a processing liquid for performing a liquid processing on a plurality of substrates; a substrate support that supports the plurality of substrates such that main surfaces of each of the plurality of substrates follow a vertical direction in the processing tank; a processing liquid ejection unit provided below the plurality of substrates supported by the substrate support, and generates an ascending flow of the processing liquid in the processing tank; and a rectifying section that adjusts flow of the processing liquid in a side space formed between a first side wall of the processing tank and a first substrate having a main surface facing the first side wall of the processing tank among the plurality of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takahiko Otsu, Kazuya Koyama, Takao Inada
  • Patent number: 11724235
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply, an additive supply, a tank, a phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply path and an additive supply path. The phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply is configured to supply a phosphoric acid aqueous solution. The additive supply is configured to supply an additive configured to suppress precipitation of a silicon oxide. The phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply path is configured to connect the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply with the tank. The additive supply path is configured to connect the additive supply with the tank. The additive is supplied while fluidity is imparted to the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supplied from the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Nonaka, Takao Inada, Kouji Ogura
  • Patent number: 11424141
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus, a substrate processing method and a recording medium capable of shortening an etching processing time are provided. The substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing tub, a mixing unit and a supply line. The substrate processing tub is configured to perform an etching processing therein with an etching liquid. The mixing unit is configured to mix a new liquid with a silicon-containing compound or a liquid containing the silicon-containing compound. The supply line is configured to supply a mixed solution mixed by the mixing unit into the substrate processing tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Jian Zhang, Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano, Seigo Fujitsu, Hideaki Sato, Teruaki Konishi, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Koji Ogura, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20220139734
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: generating a mixture liquid by mixing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution with an additive that suppresses precipitation of silicon oxide in a tank and circulating the mixture liquid through a circulation path that exits and returns to the tank, the circulation path including a back pressure valve; sending the mixture liquid to a processing bath through a liquid path diverging from the circulation path and positioned upstream from the back pressure valve; and supplying a silicon-containing compound aqueous solution to the mixture liquid generated in the generating. The back pressure valve is fully open in the generating and throttled in the sending. A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing bath, a mixing device, a liquid path, and a silicon solution supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Kouji OGURA, Jun NONAKA, Takao INADA, Yoshinori NISHIWAKI, Hiroshi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 11309194
    Abstract: A substrate liquid treatment apparatus includes an inner tank configured to store a treatment liquid and having an upper opening, an outer tank disposed outside the inner tank, and a lid movable between a close position for closing the upper opening of the inner tank and an open position for opening the upper opening of the inner tank. The lid includes a main portion that covers the upper opening of the inner tank when the lid is positioned at the close position, and a splash shielding portion connected to the main portion. When the lid is positioned at the close position, the splash shielding portion extends from a position higher than an upper end of a side wall of the inner tank adjacent to the splash shielding portion to a position which is lower than the upper end of the side wall and which is on the outer tank side of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Koji Tanaka, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Masutomi, Hitoshi Kosugi, Takao Inada, Takashi Ikeda, Tsukasa Hirayama
  • Patent number: 11257692
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing bath, a mixing device, a liquid path, and a silicon solution supply. A substrate is immersed in the processing bath to be processed. The mixing device generates a mixture liquid by mixing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution with an additive that suppresses precipitation of silicon oxide. The liquid path sends the mixture liquid from the mixing device to the processing bath. The silicon solution supply is connected to at least one of the liquid path and the processing bath, and supplies a silicon-containing compound aqueous solution to the mixture liquid supplied from the mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kouji Ogura, Jun Nonaka, Takao Inada, Yoshinori Nishiwaki, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20210335621
    Abstract: An etching method includes a first etching step, a processing step, and a second etching step. The first etching step is performed to etch a substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed with an etching liquid. The processing step is performed to process a pattern in the silicon oxide film on the substrate with a pattern shape processing liquid after the first etching step. The second etching step is performed to etch the substrate with the etching liquid after the processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Tsukasa Hirayama, Takao Inada, Hironobu Hyakutake, Kazuya Koyama, Hisashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 11087992
    Abstract: An etching method includes a first etching step, a processing step, and a second etching step. The first etching step is performed to etch a substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed with an etching liquid. The processing step is performed to process a pattern in the silicon oxide film on the substrate with a pattern shape processing liquid after the first etching step. The second etching step is performed to etch the substrate with the etching liquid after the processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tsukasa Hirayama, Takao Inada, Hironobu Hyakutake, Kazuya Koyama, Hisashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 11075096
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes etching a substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed with a phosphoric acid processing liquid. In the etching, a silicon concentration in the phosphoric acid processing liquid is a first silicon concentration at which the silicon oxide film is etched, from a start time until a first time interval has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takao Inada, Hironobu Hyakutake, Hisashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 10923368
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a substrate processing tank, a temperature adjustment unit, and a controller. The substrate processing tank is configured to perform an etching processing by immersing a substrate in a phosphoric acid processing liquid therein. The temperature adjustment unit is configured to adjust the temperature of the phosphoric acid processing liquid. The controller is configured to control the temperature adjustment unit to lower the temperature of the phosphoric acid processing liquid as the etching processing proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano, Hiroki Ohno
  • Publication number: 20200294823
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing bath, a mixing device, a liquid path, and a silicon solution supply. A substrate is immersed in the processing bath to be processed. The mixing device generates a mixture liquid by mixing a phosphoric acid aqueous solution with an additive that suppresses precipitation of silicon oxide. The liquid path sends the mixture liquid from the mixing device to the processing bath. The silicon solution supply is connected to at least one of the liquid path and the processing bath, and supplies a silicon-containing compound aqueous solution to the mixture liquid supplied from the mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Kouji Ogura, Jun Nonaka, Takao Inada, Yoshinori Nishiwaki, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20200289994
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply, an additive supply, a tank, a phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply path and an additive supply path. The phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply is configured to supply a phosphoric acid aqueous solution. The additive supply is configured to supply an additive configured to suppress precipitation of a silicon oxide. The phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply path is configured to connect the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply with the tank. The additive supply path is configured to connect the additive supply with the tank. The additive is supplied while fluidity is imparted to the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supplied from the phosphoric acid aqueous solution supply into the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jun Nonaka, Takao Inada, Kouji Ogura
  • Publication number: 20200251343
    Abstract: An etching method includes a first etching step, a processing step, and a second etching step. The first etching step is performed to etch a substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed with an etching liquid. The processing step is performed to process a pattern in the silicon oxide film on the substrate with a pattern shape processing liquid after the first etching step. The second etching step is performed to etch the substrate with the etching liquid after the processing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Tsukasa Hirayama, Takao Inada, Hironobu Hyakutake, Kazuya Koyama, Hisashi Kawano
  • Publication number: 20200211865
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing tank that stores a processing liquid for performing a liquid processing on a plurality of substrates; a substrate support that supports the plurality of substrates such that main surfaces of each of the plurality of substrates follow a vertical direction in the processing tank; a processing liquid ejection unit provided below the plurality of substrates supported by the substrate support, and generates an ascending flow of the processing liquid in the processing tank; and a rectifying section that adjusts flow of the processing liquid in a side space formed between a first side wall of the processing tank and a first substrate having a main surface facing the first side wall of the processing tank among the plurality of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Takahiko Otsu, Kazuya Koyama, Takao Inada
  • Publication number: 20200152489
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes etching a substrate on which a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed with a phosphoric acid processing liquid. In the etching, a silicon concentration in the phosphoric acid processing liquid is a first silicon concentration at which the silicon oxide film is etched, from a start time until a first time interval has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Takao Inada, Hironobu Hyakutake, Hisashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 10651061
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a control unit. The processing unit is configured to perform an etching processing by immersing a substrate in a processing liquid containing phosphoric acid and a silicon-containing compound. The control unit is configured to control the processing liquid such that the substrate is processed, in a first processing time of the etching processing, with the processing liquid having a first phosphoric acid concentration and a first silicon concentration, and the substrate is processed, in a second processing time later than the first processing time, with the processing liquid having a second preset phosphoric acid concentration lower than the first phosphoric acid concentration and a second preset silicon concentration lower than the first silicon concentration or with the processing liquid having the second preset phosphoric acid concentration and the first silicon concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki Ohno, Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano
  • Patent number: 10643874
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a liquid processing unit, a processing liquid circulating line, and a boiling state detecting unit provided in a processing bath of the liquid processing unit. The controller controls a supply pump of the processing liquid circulating line based on a signal from the boiling state detecting unit, and adjusts a pressure of a supplied phosphoric acid aqueous solution in a flow path so as to adjust the boiling state of the phosphoric acid aqueous solution to a desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Tsukasa Hirayama, Takao Inada
  • Publication number: 20190148183
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a substrate processing tank, a temperature adjustment unit, and a controller. The substrate processing tank is configured to perform an etching processing by immersing a substrate in a phosphoric acid processing liquid therein. The temperature adjustment unit is configured to adjust the temperature of the phosphoric acid processing liquid. The controller is configured to control the temperature adjustment unit to lower the temperature of the phosphoric acid processing liquid as the etching processing proceeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano, Hiroki Ohno
  • Publication number: 20190122906
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus, a substrate processing method and a recording medium capable of shortening an etching processing time are provided. The substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate processing tub, a mixing unit and a supply line. The substrate processing tub is configured to perform an etching processing therein with an etching liquid. The mixing unit is configured to mix a new liquid with a silicon-containing compound or a liquid containing the silicon-containing compound. The supply line is configured to supply a mixed solution mixed by the mixing unit into the substrate processing tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Jian Zhang, Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano, Seigo Fujitsu, Hideaki Sato, Teruaki Konishi, Toshiyuki Shiokawa, Koji Ogura, Hiroshi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20190122905
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing unit and a control unit. The processing unit is configured to perform an etching processing by immersing a substrate in a processing liquid containing phosphoric acid and a silicon-containing compound. The control unit is configured to control the processing liquid such that the substrate is processed, in a first processing time of the etching processing, with the processing liquid having a first phosphoric acid concentration and a first silicon concentration, and the substrate is processed, in a second processing time later than the first processing time, with the processing liquid having a second preset phosphoric acid concentration lower than the first phosphoric acid concentration and a second preset silicon concentration lower than the first silicon concentration or with the processing liquid having the second preset phosphoric acid concentration and the first silicon concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroki Ohno, Takao Inada, Hisashi Kawano