Patents by Inventor Toshinori Imai

Toshinori Imai 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: 20030153187
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20030109129
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has first interlayer insulating film having a wiring trench; a wiring portion having a first barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the wiring trench, a first conductor layer formed over the first barrier metal layer to embed the wiring trench, and a capping barrier metal film formed over the first conductor layer; second interlayer insulating film formed over the first interlayer insulating film and having a connecting hole; and a connecting portion having a second barrier metal layer formed over side walls and bottom surface of the connecting hole, and a second conductor layer formed over the second barrier metal layer to embed the connecting hole; wherein, at a joint between the connecting portion and wiring portion, at least one of the second barrier metal layer and capping barrier metal film on the bottom surface of the connecting hole is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20030089928
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device comprising a first interlayer insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate and having a wiring trench; a wiring portion which has a first barrier metal layer formed over the side walls and bottom surface of said wiring trench, a first conductor layer formed over said first barrier metal layer so as to embed said wiring trench with said first conductor layer, and a capping barrier metal film formed over the surface of said first conductor layer; a second interlayer insulating film formed over said first interlayer insulating film and having a connecting hole; and a connecting portion which has a second barrier metal layer formed over the side walls and bottom surface of said connecting hole, and a second conductor layer formed over said second barrier metal layer so as to embed said connecting hole with said second conductor layer; wherein at a joint between said connecting portion and said wiring portion, at least either one of said second barrier metal layer or sai
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Patent number: 6561875
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for producing a substrate whose surface includes a metallic wire by polishing the substrate surface. A polishing liquid is supplied to a clearance between the substrate and the surface of a polishing pad. The polishing liquid includes an acid which dissolves the oxidized part of the substrate surface and is substantially free of solid abrasive powder. A relative movement is generated between the substrate surface and the polishing pad surface while the substrate surface is pressed against the polishing pad surface while the polishing liquid is supplied so that the dissolved oxidized part of the substrates surface can be removed from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai
  • Publication number: 20030073317
    Abstract: Over a plug, a stopper insulating film made of an organic film is formed, followed by successive formation of an insulating film and a hard mask. In the presence of a patterned resist film, the hard mask is dry etched, whereby an interconnection groove pattern is transferred thereto. By ashing with oxygen plasma, the resist film is removed to form the interconnection-groove-pattern-transferred hard mask. At this time, the organic film constituting the stopper insulating film has been covered with the insulating film. Then, the insulating film, stopper insulating film and hard mask are removed to form the groove pattern of interconnection. Hydrogen annealing may be conducted after formation of the plug, or the stopper insulating film may be formed over the plug via an adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Kazusato Hara, Keisuke Funatsu, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Naohumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6531400
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20030045088
    Abstract: Peeling between a bonding pad and an insulating film which underlies the bonding pad is to be prevented. A laminate film constituted mainly by W which is higher in mechanical strength than a wiring layer using an Al alloy film as a main conductive layer and than a bonding pad, is formed within an aperture formed in silicon oxide films and is interposed between the wiring line and the bonding pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Imai, Tsuyoshi Fujiwara, Tomohiro Shiraishi, Hiroshi Ashihara, Masaaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6509273
    Abstract: Problematic dishing and erosion in forming embedded metal interconnection by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method are suppressed. Formation of embedded Cu interconnects 46a to 46e by chemical mechanical polishing of a Cu film 46 formed in interconnect trenches 40 to 44 is performed by abrasive-grain-free chemical mechanical polishing using a polishing liquid of an abrasive grain content less than 0.5 wt % (CMP of the first step); with-abrasive-grain chemical mechanical polishing using a polishing liquid of an abrasive grain content of 0.5 or more wt % (CMP of the second step); and selective chemical mechanical polishing using a polishing liquid to which an anticorrosive such as benzotriazole (BTA) is added (CMP of the third step).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Imai, Naofumi Ohashi, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20030003713
    Abstract: In order to suppress an increase of depressions, etc. to occur on a copper based alloy layer during polishing when a copper based alloy inlaid wiring is formed with the damascene method in grooves formed in an insulating film, the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer is set not less than five times faster than the etching rate for the same and the polishing rate for the insulating film is set lower than the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer when the upper metallic layer 13 to become a wiring and the lower metallic layer 12 to become a barrier are polished respectively. Thus, the object damascene wiring can be formed with less erosion on each of insulating layers and dishing on each of metallic layers respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada
  • Publication number: 20020193051
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for producing a substrate whose surface includes a metallic wire by polishing the substrate surface,
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai
  • Publication number: 20020192967
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6495466
    Abstract: Over a plug, a stopper insulating film made of an organic film is formed, followed by successive formation of an insulating film and a hard mask. In the presence of a patterned resist film, the hard mask is dry etched, whereby an interconnection groove pattern is transferred thereto. By ashing with oxygen plasma, the resist film is removed to form the interconnection-groove-pattern-transferred hard mask. At this time, the organic film constituting the stopper insulating film has been covered with the insulating film. Then, the insulating film, stopper insulating film and hard mask are removed to form the groove pattern of interconnection. Hydrogen annealing may be conducted after formation of the plug, or the stopper insulating film may be formed over the plug via an adhesion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazusato Hara, Keisuke Funatsu, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Naohumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6458674
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the resurfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20020058363
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6376345
    Abstract: In order to provide an anticorrosive technique for metal wirings formed by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, a process for manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to the invention comprises the steps of: forming a metal layer of Cu (or a Cu alloy containing Cu as a main component) over the major face of a wafer and then planarizing the metal layer by a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method to form metal wirings; anticorroding the planarized major face of the wafer to form a hydrophobic protective film over the surfaces of the metal wirings; immersing the anticorroded major face of the wafer or keeping the same in a wet state so that it may not become dry; and post-cleaning the major face, kept in the wet state, of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Naofumi Ohashi, Junji Noguchi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada, Kenji Hinode, Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20020025605
    Abstract: In order to suppress an increase of depressions, etc. to occur on a copper based alloy layer during polishing when a copper based alloy inlaid wiring is formed with the damascene method in grooves formed in an insulating film, the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer is set not less than five times faster than the etching rate for the same and the polishing rate for the insulating film is set lower than the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer when the upper metallic layer 13 to become a wiring and the lower metallic layer 12 to become a barrier are polished respectively. Thus, the object damascene wiring can be formed with less erosion on each of insulating layers and dishing on each of metallic layers respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada
  • Patent number: 6326299
    Abstract: In order to suppress an increase of depressions, etc. to occur on a copper based alloy layer during polishing when a copper based alloy inlaid wiring is formed with the damascene method in grooves formed in an insulating film, the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer is set not less than five times faster than the etching rate for the same and the polishing rate for the insulating film is set lower than the polishing rate for the lower metallic layer when the upper metallic layer 13 to become a wiring and the lower metallic layer 12 to become a barrier are polished respectively. Thus, the object damascene wiring can be formed with less erosion on each of insulating layers and dishing on each of metallic layers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Homma, Seiichi Kondo, Noriyuki Sakuma, Naofumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Hizuru Yamaguchi, Nobuo Owada
  • Publication number: 20010045651
    Abstract: A barrier layer and a copper film are successively formed on a silicon oxide film including a groove for wiring in the silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, both formed on a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the barrier layer and the copper film are removed from outside of the groove for wiring, thereby forming a wiring. Tungsten is selectively or preferentially grown on the wiring to selectively form a tungsten film on the wiring. After the formation of the copper film, a treatment with hydrogen may be performed. After the formation of the wiring, the semiconductor substrate may be cleaned with a cleaning solution capable of removing a foreign matter or a contaminant metal. After the formation of the wiring, a treatment with hydrogen is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Naohumi Ohashi, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Tamaru
  • Publication number: 20010034132
    Abstract: Over a plug, a stopper insulating film made of an organic film is formed, followed by successive formation of an insulating film and a hard mask. In the presence of a patterned resist film, the hard mask is dry etched, whereby an interconnection groove pattern is transferred thereto. By ashing with oxygen plasma, the resist film is removed to form the interconnection-groove-pattern-transferred hard mask. At this time, the organic film constituting the stopper insulating film has been covered with the insulating film. Then, the insulating film, stopper insulating film and hard mask are removed to form the groove pattern of interconnection. Hydrogen annealing may be conducted after formation of the plug, or the stopper insulating film may be formed over the plug via an adhesion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Kazusato Hara, Keisuke Funatsu, Toshinori Imai, Junji Noguchi, Naohumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6042647
    Abstract: In a nozzle system for feeding treatment liquid, a storage tank is equipped with a nozzle comprising an opening and a stopcock which opens and closes said opening. When the stopcock opens the opening, a predetermined amount of liquid developer is dropped from the tank onto a wafer through a narrow gap between the outer surface of the stopcock and the inner edge of the opening. Thereby, the large amount of the liquid developer can be discharged and diffused on the entire wafer surface for a short time. Besides, the liquid amount is controlled with ease, and damage to the wafer is reduced, which enables a high quality of the development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Kawakami, Toshinori Imai