Patents by Inventor Wen-Dar Liu

Wen-Dar 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: 20180251711
    Abstract: Composition, method and system for PVD TiN hard mask removal from 28/20 nm pattern wafers have been disclosed. The composition uses peroxide as oxidizing agent for PVD TiN hard mask removal under slightly basic conditions. The composition comprises bulky or long chain organic amines or polyalkylamine to improve removal/etching selectivity of PVD TiN vs CVD TiN. The composition further comprises long chain organic acids or amines to maintain Co compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Versum Materials US, LLC
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Yi-Chia Lee, William Jack Casteel, JR., Tianniu Chen, Rajiv Krishan Agarwal, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao
  • Publication number: 20180209049
    Abstract: Described herein is an etching solution suitable for both tungsten-containing metals and GST metals, which comprises: water; at least one phenolic derivative compound having at least two hydroxyl groups; at least one strong base selected from the group consisting of (i) a quaternary base; (ii) an organic amine; and (iii) a metal hydroxide; optionally an ammonium salt of an organic acid; and optionally a water-miscible solvent, wherein the pH of the etching solution is 10 or greater, and wherein the etching solution is substantially free of a peroxide oxidizer and a metal ion-containing oxidizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Versum Materials US, LLC
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Laisheng Sun, Yi-Chia Lee, Tianniu Chen, Gang Chris Han-Adebekun
  • Patent number: 9976111
    Abstract: Composition, method and system for PVD TiN hard mask removal from 28/20 nm pattern wafers have been disclosed. The composition uses peroxide as oxidizing agent for PVD TiN hard mask removal under slightly basic conditions. The composition comprises bulky or long chain organic amines or polyalkylamine to improve removal/etching selectivity of PVD TiN vs CVD TiN. The composition further comprises long chain organic acids or amines to maintain Co compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: VERSUM MATERIALS US, LLC
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Yi-Chia Lee, William Jack Casteel, Jr., Tianniu Chen, Rajiv Krishan Agarwal, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao
  • Patent number: 9957469
    Abstract: There are provided metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions, methods and system for copper (Cu), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), cobalt (Co), and aluminum (Al). The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions provide corrosion inhibition effects by use a combination of two chemicals—at least one multi-functional amine that has more than one amino groups; and at least one multi-functional acid that has more than one carboxylate groups. The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions are effective for cleaning the residues deriving from high density plasma etching followed by ashing with oxygen containing plasmas; and slurry particles and residues remaining after chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: VERSUM MATERIALS US, LLC
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Seiji Inaoka, Yi-Chia Lee, Agnes Derecskei-Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20180105774
    Abstract: A composition and method for removing copper-containing post-etch and/or post-ash residue from patterned micro-electronic devices is described. The removal composition includes water, a fluoride ion source, an alkanolamine, sulfuric acid, and an organic acid. The compositions effectively remove the copper and cobalt-containing post-etch residue from the microelectronic device without damaging exposed low-k dielectric and metal interconnect materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Seiji INAOKA, William Jack CASTEEL, Jr., Wen Dar LIU
  • Publication number: 20170145311
    Abstract: A composition and method using same useful for etching a semiconductor substrate comprising: from about 25 to 86% by weight of water; from about 0 to about 60% by weight of a water-miscible organic solvent; from about 1 to about 30% by weight of a base comprising a quartenary ammonium compound; from about 1 to about 50% by weight of an amine compound wherein the amine compound is selected from the group consisting of a secondary amine, a tertiary amine, and mixtures thereof; from about 0 to about 5% by weight of a buffering agent; from about 0 to about 15% by weight of a corrosion inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Yi-Chia Lee, Tianniu Chen, Thomas Mebrahtu, Aiping Wu, Edward Chia Kai Tseng, Gene Everad Parris
  • Publication number: 20170107460
    Abstract: Composition, method and system for PVD TiN hard mask removal from 28/20 nm pattern wafers have been disclosed. The composition uses peroxide as oxidizing agent for PVD TiN hard mask removal under slightly basic conditions. The composition comprises bulky or long chain organic amines or polyalkylamine to improve removal/etching selectivity of PVD TiN vs CVD TiN. The composition further comprises long chain organic acids or amines to maintain Co compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Yi-Chia Lee, William Jack Casteel, JR., Tianniu Chen, Rajiv Krishan Agarwal, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao
  • Publication number: 20170037344
    Abstract: It is disclosed a photoresist cleaning composition for stripping a photoresist pattern having a film thickness of 3-150 ?m, which contains (a) quaternary ammonium hydroxide (b) a mixture of water-soluble organic solvents (c) at least one corrosion inhibitor and (d) water, and a method for treating a substrate therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Li-Kai Chang, Gene Everad Parris, Hsiu Mei Chen, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Tianniu Chen, Laura M. Matz, Ryback Li Chang Lo, Ling-Jen Meng
  • Patent number: 9536730
    Abstract: A composition and method for removing copper-containing post-etch and/or post-ash residue from patterned microelectronic devices is described. The removal composition includes water, a water-miscible organic solvent, an amine compound, an organic acid, and a fluoride ion source. The compositions effectively remove the copper-containing post-etch residue from the microelectronic device without damaging exposed low-k dielectric and metal interconnect materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi Chia Lee, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Gautam Banerjee, Wen Dar Liu, Aiping Wu, Seiji Inaoka
  • Patent number: 9472420
    Abstract: Aqueous compositions for stripping titanium nitride (TiN or TiNxOy) hard mask and removing etch residue are low pH aqueous composition comprising solvent, a weakly coordinating anion, amine, and at least two non-oxidizing trace metal ions. The aqueous compositions contain no non-ambient oxidizer, and are exposed to air. Bifluoride, or metal corrosion inhibitor may be added to the aqueous composition. Systems and processes use the aqueous compositions for stripping titanium nitride (TiN or TiNxOy) hard mask and removing titanium nitride (TiN or TiNxOy) etch residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: William Jack Casteel, Jr., Seiji Inaoka, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Brenda Faye Ross, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Tianniu Chen
  • Publication number: 20160293479
    Abstract: Formulations for stripping titanium nitride hard mask and removing titanium nitride etch residue comprise an amine salt buffer, a non-ambient oxidizer, and the remaining being liquid carrier includes water and non-water liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfone, lactic acid, glycol, and a polar aprotic solvent including but not limited to sulfolanes, sulfoxides, nitriles, formamides and pyrrolidones. The formulations have a pH <4, preferably <3, more preferably <2.5. The aqueous formulations having water as liquid carrier and semi-aqueous formulation having water and non-polar aprotic solvent(s) further contain acidic fluoride. The formulations offer high titanium nitride etch rates while provide excellent compatibility towards W, AlN, AlO, and low k dielectric materials. The formulations may comprise weakly coordinating anions, corrosion inhibitors, and surfactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: William Jack Casteel, JR., Seiji Inaoka, Wen Dar Liu, Tianniu Chen
  • Publication number: 20160186105
    Abstract: A composition for cleaning integrated circuit substrates, the composition comprising: water; an oxidizer comprising an ammonium salt of an oxidizing species; a corrosion inhibitor comprising a primary alkylamine having the general formula: R?NH2, wherein R? is an alkyl group containing up to about 150 carbon atoms and will more often be an aliphatic alkyl group containing from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms; optionally, a water-miscible organic solvent; optionally, an organic acid; optionally, a buffer speicies; optionally, a fluoride ion source; and optionally, a metal chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Yi-Chia Lee, Tianniu Chen, William Jack Casteel, JR., Seiji Inaoka, Gene Everad Parris
  • Publication number: 20160010035
    Abstract: There are provided metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions, methods and system for copper (Cu), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), cobalt (Co), and aluminum (Al). The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions provide corrosion inhibition effects by use a combination of two chemicals—at least one multi-functional amine that has more than one amino groups; and at least one multi-functional acid that has more than one carboxylate groups. The metal corrosion inhibition cleaning compositions are effective for cleaning the residues deriving from high density plasma etching followed by ashing with oxygen containing plasmas; and slurry particles and residues remaining after chemical mechanical polishing (CMP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Wen Dar Liu, Seiji Inaoka, Yi-Chia Lee, Agnes Derecskei-Kovacs
  • Patent number: 9222018
    Abstract: Formulations for stripping titanium nitride (TiN or TiNxOy; x=0 to 1.3 and y=0 to 2) hard mask and removing titanium nitride etch residue are low pH (<4) comprise a weakly coordinating anion having negative charge highly dispersed throughout its structure, amine salt buffer, a non-oxidizing trace metal ion, a non-ambient trace oxidizer, and the remaining being solvent selected from the group consisting of water, sulfolane, dimethyl sulfide, lactic acid, glycol, and mixtures thereof. The formulations contain no hydrogen peroxide, and are exposed to air. Bifluoride, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants may be added to the formulations. Systems and processes use the formulations for stripping titanium nitride hard mask and removing titanium nitride etch residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: William Jack Casteel, Jr., Seiji Inaoka, Wen Dar Liu, Tianniu Chen
  • Patent number: 9201308
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water-rich formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, residues from Al back-end-of-the-line interconnect structures, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: hydroxylamine; corrosion inhibitor containing a mixture of alkyl dihydroxybenzene and hydroxyquinoline; an alkanolamine, a water-soluble solvent or the combination of the two; and at least 50% by weight of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Gautam Banerjee, Thomas Michael Wieder, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Aiping Wu
  • Publication number: 20150175943
    Abstract: Aqueous compositions for stripping titanium nitride(TiN or TiNxOy) hard mask and removing etch residue are low pH aqueous composition comprising solvent, a weakly coordinating anion, amine, and at least two non-oxidizing trace metal ions. The aqueous compositions contain no non-ambient oxidizer, and are exposed to air. Bifluoride, or metal corrosion inhibitor may be added to the aqueous composition. Systems and processes use the aqueous compositions for stripping titanium nitride(TiN or TiNxOy) hard mask and removing titanium nitride(TiN or TiNxOy) etch residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: William Jack Casteel, JR., Seiji Inaoka, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Brenda Faye Ross, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Tianniu Chen
  • Patent number: 8889609
    Abstract: A water-rich hydroxylamine formulation for photoresist and post-etch/post-ash residue removal in applications wherein a semiconductor substrate comprises aluminum. The cleaning composition comprises from about 2 to about 15% by wt. of hydroxylamine; from about 50 to about 80% by wt. of water; from about 0.01 to about 5.0% by wt. of a corrosion inhibitor; from about 5 to about 45% by wt. of a component selected from the group consisting of: an alkanolamine having a pKa<9.0, a water-miscible solvent, and a mixture thereof. Employment of such composition exhibits efficient cleaning capability for Al substrates, minimal silicon etch while protecting aluminum for substrates comprising both materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Aiping Wu, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Machukar Bhaskara Rao, Gautam Banerjee
  • Publication number: 20140109931
    Abstract: A composition and method for removing copper-containing post-etch and/or post-ash residue from patterned microelectronic devices is described. The removal composition includes water, a water-miscible organic solvent, an amine compound, an organic acid, and a fluoride ion source. The compositions effectively remove the copper-containing post-etch residue from the microelectronic device without damaging exposed low-k dielectric and metal interconnect materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS INC.
    Inventors: Yi Chia Lee, Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Gautam Banerjee, Wen Dar Liu, Aiping Wu, Seiji Inaoka
  • Publication number: 20130296215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water-rich formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, residues from Al back-end-of-the-line interconnect structures, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: hydroxylamine; corrosion inhibitor containing a mixture of alkyl dihydroxybenzene and hydroxyquinoline; an alkanolamine, a water-soluble solvent or the combination of the two; and at least 50% by weight of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Madhukar Bhaskara RAO, Gautam BANERJEE, Thomas Michael Wieder, Yi-Chia LEE, Wen Dar LIU, Aiping WU
  • Patent number: 8518865
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water-rich formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, residues from Al back-end-of-the-line interconnect structures, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: hydroxylamine; corrosion inhibitor containing a mixture of alkyl dihydroxybenzene and hydroxyquinoline; an alkanolamine, a water-soluble solvent or the combination of the two; and at least 50% by weight of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhukar Bhaskara Rao, Gautam Banerjee, Thomas Michael Wieder, Yi-Chia Lee, Wen Dar Liu, Aiping Wu