Patents by Inventor Takashi Akahori

Takashi Akahori 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: 8394231
    Abstract: That surface of an electrode plate 20 which is opposite to a susceptor 10 has a projection shape. The electrode plate 20 is fitted in an opening 26a of shield ring 26 at a projection 20a. At this time, the thickness of the projection 20a is approximately the same as the thickness of the shield ring 26. Accordingly, the electrode plate 20 and the shield ring 26 form substantially the same plane. The major surface of the projection 20a has a diameter 1.2 to 1.5 times the diameter of a wafer W. The electrode plate 20 is formed of, for example, SiC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Takatsuki, Hikaru Yoshitaka, Shigeo Ashigaki, Yoichi Inoue, Takashi Akahori, Shuuichi Ishizuka, Syoichi Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Kohei Kawamura, Hidenori Miyoshi, Gishi Chung, Yasuhiro Oshima, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20070131171
    Abstract: That surface of an electrode plate 20 which is opposite to a susceptor 10 has a projection shape. The electrode plate 20 is fitted in an opening 26a of shield ring 26 at a projection 20a. At this time, die thickness of the projection 20a is approximately the same as the thickness of the shield ring 26. Accordingly, the electrode plate 20 and the shield ring 26 form substantially the same plane. The major surface of the projection 20a has a diameter 1.2 to 1.5 times the diameter of a wafer W. The electrode plate 20 is formed of, for example, SiC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Takatsuki, Hikaru Yoshitaka, Shigeo Ashigaki, Yoichi Inoue, Takashi Akahori, Shuuichi Ishizuka, Syoichi Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Kohei Kawamura, Hidenori Miyoshi, Gishi Chung, Yasuhiro Oshima, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20070113787
    Abstract: The upper electrode (15a) and the lower electrode (15b) are installed in the chamber (2) in parallel. Between these electrodes, the upper electrode (15a) is electrically grounded. The lower electrode (15b) is connected to the first RF power generator (13) via the low-pass filter (14) and to the second RF power generator (22) via the high-pass filter (23). Wafer W is held against the upper part of the lower electrode (15b) by the high-temperature electrostatic chuck ESC. By being distributed the first and the second RF electric power from the RF power generators (13) and (22), respectively, plasma is produced near the lower electrode (15b), and the wafer W is processed by the plasma. By these procedures, plasma process apparatus with high efficiency in plasma processing and simple structure can be offered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Higashiura, Takashi Akahori, Satoru Kawakami, Nobuhiro Iwama
  • Patent number: 6949829
    Abstract: With a stopper layer 19 as an etching stopper, a second groove 14a and a contact hole 13a are formed. Copper is buried inside the second groove 14a and the contact hole 13a, thereby forming a plug layer 22 and an overlying wiring layer 21 connected to an underlying wiring layer 17 via the plug layer 22. The stopper layer 19 is comprised of Si, C and N as essential components. First and second cap layers 18 and 23 are also comprised of Si, C and N as essential components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Gishi Chung, Kohei Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20040255863
    Abstract: The upper electrode (15a) and the lower electrode (15b) are installed in the chamber (2) in parallel. Between these electrodes, the upper electrode (15a) is electrically grounded. The lower electrode (15b) is connected to the first RF power generator (13) via the low-pass filter (14) and to the second RF power generator (22) via the high-pass filter (23). Wafer W is held against the upper part of the lower electrode (15b) by the high-temperature electrostatic chuck ESC. By being distributed the first and the second RF electric power from the RF power generators (13) and (22), respectively, plasma is produced near the lower electrode (15b), and the wafer W is processed by the plasma. By these procedures, plasma process apparatus with high efficiency in plasma processing and simple structure can be offered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Tsutomu Higashiura, Takashi Akahori, Satoru Kawakami, Nobuhiro Iwama
  • Patent number: 6767829
    Abstract: There is provided a deposition technique wherein the amounts of eliminated F and H are small in the deposition of an insulating film, such as an SiOF film or an SiCHO film, which contains silicon, oxygen and other components and which has a lower dielectric constant than the dielectric constant of a silicon oxide film. A plasma processing system for producing plasma with the energy of a power applied between first and second electrodes which are provided in a vacuum vessel so as to face each other in parallel and which are connected to separate high-frequency power supplies, respectively, is used. An object to be processed, e.g., a semiconductor wafer is mounted on the first electrode. The frequency of the high-frequency power applied to the first electrode is set to be in the range of from 2 MHz to 9 MHz, and the frequency of the high-frequency power applied to the second electrode is set to be 50 MHz or higher, to deposit an insulating film on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Akahori
  • Publication number: 20040127033
    Abstract: That surface of an electrode plate 20 which is opposite to a susceptor 10 has a projection shape. The electrode plate 20 is fitted in an opening 26a of shield ring 26 at a projection 20a. At this time, the thickness of the projection 20a is approximately the same as the thickness of the shield ring 26. Accordingly, the electrode plate 20 and the shield ring 26 form substantially the same plane. The major surface of the projection 20a has a diameter 1.2 to 1.5 times the diameter of a wafer W. The electrode plate 20 is formed of, for example, SiC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Koichi Takatsuki, Hiraku Yoshitaka, Shigeo Ashigaki, Yoichi Inoue, Takashi Akahori, Shuuichi Ishizuka, Syoichi Abe, Takashi Suzuki, Kohei Kawamura, Hidenori Miyoshi, Gishi Chung, Yasuhiro Oshima, Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6737350
    Abstract: A semiconductor device using, e.g., a fluorine containing carbon film, as an interlayer dielectric film is produced by a dual damascene method which is a simple technique. After an dielectric film, e.g., an SiO2 film 3, is deposited on a substrate 2, the SiO2 film 3 is etched to form a via hole 31 therein, and then, a top dielectric film, e.g., a CF film 4, is deposited on the top face of the SiO2 film 3. If the CF film is deposited by activating a thin-film deposition material having a bad embedded material, e.g., C6F6 gas, as a plasma, the CF film 4 can be deposited on the top face of the SiO2 film 3 while inhibiting the CF film from being embedded into the via hole 31. Subsequently, by etching the CF film 4 to form a groove 41 therein, it is possible to easily produce a dual damascene shape wherein the groove 41 is integrated with the via hole 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Kouichiro Inazawa, Kouji Senoo, Masaaki Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6727182
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for a fluorine containing carbon film (a CF film), which can put an interlayer insulator film of a fluorine containing carbon film into practice. A conductive film, e.g., a TiN film 41, is formed on a CF film 4. After a pattern of a resist film 42 is formed thereon, the TiN film 41 is etched with, e.g., BCl3 gas. Thereafter, when the surface of the wafer is irradiated with O2 plasma, the CF film is chemically etched, and the resist film 42 is also etched. However, since the TiN film 41 functions as a mask, a predetermined hole can be formed. Although an interconnection layer of aluminum or the like is formed on the surface of the CF film 4, the TiN film 41 functions as an adhesion layer for adhering the interconnection layer to the CF film 4 and serves as a part of the interconnection layer. As the mask, an insulator film of SiO2 or the like may be substituted for the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Shuichi Ishizuka, Shunichi Endo, Takeshi Aoki, Tadashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 6720659
    Abstract: Insulating films 21 through 24 of CF films (fluorine-contained carbon films) are formed on a substrate (not shown). In addition, Cu wiring layers 25 and 26 are formed on the CF films 21 and 23 via an adhesion layer 29 which comprises a Ti layer and a TiC layer. By forming the insulating films 21 through 24 of CF films, Cu in the wiring layers is prevented from diffusing into the insulating films 21 through 24. The relative dielectric constant of the CF film is smaller than the relative dielectric constant of a BCB film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Akahori
  • Publication number: 20040041266
    Abstract: With a stopper layer 19 as an etching stopper, a second groove 14a and a contact hole 13a are formed. Copper is buried inside the second groove 14a and the contact hole 13a, thereby forming a plug layer 22 and an overlying wiring layer 21 connected to an underlying wiring layer 17 via the plug layer 22. The stopper layer 19 is comprised of Si, C and N as essential components. First and second cap layers 18 and 23 are also comprised of Si, C and N as essential components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Gishi Chung, Kohei Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20030129851
    Abstract: There is provided a deposition technique wherein the amounts of eliminated F and H are small in the deposition of an insulating film, such as an SiOF film or an SiCHO film, which contains silicon, oxygen and other components and which has a lower dielectric constant than the dielectric constant of a silicon oxide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Takashi Akahori
  • Patent number: 6479897
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a dielectric film made of a fluorine-added carbon film formed on a substrate, a metallic layer formed on the fluorine-added carbon film and an adhesive layer formed between the dielectric film and the metallic layer. The adhesive layer is made of a compound layer having carbon and the metal (or metal the same as the metal included in the metallic layer), to protect the metallic layer from being peeled-off from the fluorine-added carbon film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6443165
    Abstract: A method for use in a plasma treatment system that shortens the time required for the cleaning of a fluorine containing carbon film adheared in a vacuum vessel and protects the surface of a transfer table when the cleaning is carried out. After a CF film is deposited by, e.g., a plasma treatment system, the cleaning of the CF film adhered in a vacuum vessel 2 is carried out. In the cleaning, a plasma of O2 gas is produced, and the C—C and C—F bonds on the surface of the CF film are physically and chemically cut by the active species of O produced by the plasma. The O2 gas penetrates into the CF film at places where the C—C and C—F bonds have been cut, to react with C of the CF film to form CO2 which scatters. On the other hand, F scatters as F2. Thus, the CF film is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Masaki Tozawa, Yoko Naito, Risa Nakase, Shuichi Ishizuka, Masahide Saito, Tadashi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20020047203
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a dielectric film made of a fluorine-added carbon film formed on a substrate, a metallic layer formed on the fluorine-added carbon film and an adhesive layer formed between the dielectric film and the metallic layer. The adhesive layer is made of a compound layer having carbon and the metal (or metal the same as the metal included in the metallic layer), to protect the metallic layer from being peeled-off from the fluorine-added carbon film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6355902
    Abstract: Microwave is introduced into a plasma chamber of a plasma processing apparatus and magnetic field is applied thereto to allow plasma generation gas to be placed in plasma state by the electron cyclotron resonance. This plasma is introduced into a film forming chamber of the plasma processing apparatus to allow film forming gas including compound gas of carbon and fluorine or compound gas of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen, and hydro carbon gas to be placed in plasma state. In addition, an insulating film consisting of fluorine added carbon film is formed by the film forming gas placed in plasma state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Masaki Tozawa, Yoko Naito, Risa Nakase, Osamu Yokoyama, Shuichi Ishizuka, Shunichi Endo, Masahide Saito, Takeshi Aoki, Tadashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 6337290
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a dielectric film made of a fluorine-added carbon film formed on a substrate, a metallic layer formed on the fluorine-added carbon film and an adhesive layer formed between the dielectric film and the metallic layer. The adhesive layer is made of a compound layer having carbon and the metal (or metal the same as the metal included in the metallic layer), to protect the metallic layer from being peeled-off from the fluorine-added carbon film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6320154
    Abstract: An objective of this invention is to provide a plasma processing method that is capable of reducing particle contamination during plasma processing performed upon a semiconductor wafer. If the use of electron cyclotron resonance to generate a plasma and form a thin film of SiOF or the like is used by way of example, a sheath zone of a few mm thick is formed between the wafer and the plasma, and particles are trapped within a boundary zone between the sheath zone and the plasma. At this point, a microwave power is not dropped suddenly to zero after the film-formation processing, but is reduced to a lower level of, for example, 1 kW and is held for 10 seconds. This reduces the plasma density and thickens the sheath zone, so that particles are held away from the wafer surface. When the microwave power is subsequently cut, the particles move freely around, but only a small proportion thereof adhere to the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Risa Nakase, Shinsuke Oka
  • Publication number: 20010020608
    Abstract: Microwave is introduced into a plasma chamber of a plasma processing apparatus and magnetic field is applied thereto to allow plasma generation gas to be placed in plasma state by the electron cyclotron resonance. This plasma is introduced into a film forming chamber of the plasma processing apparatus to allow film forming gas including compound gas of carbon and fluorine or compound gas of carbon, fluorine and hydrogen, and hydro carbon gas to be placed in plasma state. In addition, an insulating film consisting of fluorine added carbon film is formed by the film forming gas placed in plasma state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Akahori, Masaki Tozawa, Yoko Naito, Risa Nakase, Osamu Yokoyama, Shuichi Ishizuka, Shunichi Endo, Masahide Saito, Takeshi Aoki, Tadashi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20010001741
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for a fluorine containing carbon film (a CF film), which can put an interlayer insulator film of a fluorine containing carbon film into practice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: TAKASHI AKAHORI, SHUICHI ISHIZUKA, SHUNICHI ENDO, TAKESHI AOKI, TADASHI HIRATA