Patents by Inventor William A. Weidman

William A. Weidman 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: 20240145272
    Abstract: Methods for making thin-films on semiconductor substrates, which may be patterned using EUV, include: depositing the organometallic polymer-like material onto the surface of the semiconductor substrate, exposing the surface to EUV to form a pattern, and developing the pattern for later transfer to underlying layers. The depositing operations may be performed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and ALD with a CVD component, such as a discontinuous, ALD-like process in which metal precursors and counter-reactants are separated in either time or space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jengyi YU, Samantha S.H. TAN, Mohammed Haroon ALVI, Richard WISE, Yang PAN, Richard Alan GOTTSCHO, Adrien LAVOIE, Sivananda Krishnan KANAKASABAPATHY, Timothy William WEIDMAN, Qinghuang LIN, Jerome S. HUBACEK
  • Patent number: 11971519
    Abstract: A display article is described herein that includes: a substrate comprising a thickness and a primary surface; a textured surface region; and an antireflective coating disposed on the textured surface region. The textured surface region comprises structural features and an average texture height (Rtext) from 50 nm to 300 nm. The substrate exhibits a sparkle of less than 5%, as measured by PPD140, and a transmittance haze of less than 40%, at a 0° incident angle. The antireflective coating comprises alternating high refractive index and low refractive index layers. Each of the low index layers comprises a refractive index of less than or equal to 1.8, and each of the high index layers comprises a refractive index of greater than 1.8. The article also exhibits a first-surface average photopic specular reflectance (% R) of less than 0.3% at any incident angle from about 5° to 20° from normal at visible wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shandon Dee Hart, Karl William Koch, III, Carlo Anthony Kosik Williams, Lin Lin, Cameron Robert Nelson, James Joseph Price, Jayantha Senawiratne, Florence Christine Monique Verrier, David Lee Weidman
  • Publication number: 20240134274
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition formed with a precursor including a C1-4 haloaliphatic or C1-4 aliphatic group or vinyl group (—CH?CH2) and other unsaturated substituents, as well as methods for forming and employing such compositions. In particular embodiments, the haloaliphatic group is a C1-2 haloalkyl group, which in turn provides a resist film having enhanced radiation absorptivity and/or minimal film shrinkage (e.g., upon radiation exposure and/or post-exposure bake). In other embodiments, the aliphatic group is a C1-2 alkyl or vinyl group and other unsaturated substituents, which can be dry deposited. In non-limiting embodiments, the radiation can include extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Timothy William Weidman, Eric Calvin Hansen, Chenghao Wu
  • Patent number: 11921427
    Abstract: Imaging layers on the surface of a substrate may be patterned using next generation lithographic techniques, and the resulting patterned film may be used as a lithographic mask, for example, for production of a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy William Weidman, Katie Nardi, Chenghao Wu
  • Publication number: 20240036483
    Abstract: Dry development or dry removal of metal-containing extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) photoresist is performed in atmospheric conditions or performed in process tools without vacuum equipment. Dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist may be performed under atmospheric pressure or over-atmospheric pressure. Dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist may be performed with exposure to an air environment or with non-oxidizing gases. A process chamber or module may be modified or integrated to perform dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist with baking, wafer cleaning, wafer treatment, or other photoresist processing function. In some embodiments, the process chamber for dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist includes a heating assembly for localized heating of a semiconductor substrate and a movable discharge nozzle for localized gas delivery above the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Dries DICTUS, Timothy William WEIDMAN
  • Publication number: 20240021435
    Abstract: A method for etching a metal containing material is provided. The metal containing material is exposed to a halogen containing fluid or plasma to convert at least some of the metal containing material into a metal halide material. The metal halide material is exposed to a ligand containing fluid or plasma, wherein at least some of the metal halide material is formed into a metal halide ligand complex. At least some of the metal halide ligand complex is vaporized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Yiwen FAN, Wenbing YANG, Ran LIN, Samantha SiamHwa TAN, Timothy William WEIDMAN, Tamal MUKHERJEE
  • Publication number: 20230416606
    Abstract: Development of resists are useful, for example, to form a patterning mask in the context of high-resolution patterning. Development can be accomplished using an organic vapor such as a carboxylic acid. In some implementations, the organic vapor is trifluoroacetic acid. In some implementations, the organic vapor is hexafluoro-acetylacetone. A metal-containing resist film such as an EUV-sensitive organo-metal oxide may be deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a dry or wet deposition technique. The metal-containing resist film on the semiconductor substrate may be developed using the organic vapor, or residue of metal-containing resist material formed on surfaces of a process chamber may be removed using the organic vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dries DICTUS, Chenghao WU, Eric Calvin HANSEN, Timothy William WEIDMAN
  • Publication number: 20230314946
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a film formed with a metal precursor and an organic precursor, as well as methods for forming and employing such films. The film can be employed as a photopatternable film or a radiation-sensitive film. In particular embodiments, the film includes alternating layers of metal-containing layers and organic layers. In other embodiments, the film includes a matrix of deposited metal and organic constituents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Calvin Hansen, Timothy William Weidman, Chenghao Wu, Qinghuang Lin, Kyle Jordan Blakeney, Adrien LaVoie, Sivananda Krishnan Kanakasabapathy, Samantha S.H. Tan, Richard Wise, Yang Pan, Younghee Lee, Katie Lynn Nardi, Kevin Li Gu, Boris Volosskiy
  • Publication number: 20230288798
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a film formed with a tantalum-based precursor, as well as methods for forming and employing such films. The film can be employed as a photopatternable film or a radiation-sensitive film. In non-limiting embodiments, the radiation can include extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Calvin Hansen, Chenghao Wu, Timothy William Weidman
  • Publication number: 20230290657
    Abstract: Methods for making thin-films on semiconductor substrates, which may be patterned using EUV, include: depositing the organometallic polymer-like material onto the surface of the semiconductor substrate, exposing the surface to EUV to form a pattern, and developing the pattern for later transfer to underlying layers. The depositing operations may be performed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and ALD with a CVD component, such as a discontinuous, ALD-like process in which metal precursors and counter-reactants are separated in either time or space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jengyi Yu, Samantha S.H. Tan, Mohammed Haroon Alvi, Richard Wise, Yang Pan, Richard Alan Gottscho, Adrien LaVoie, Sivananda Krishnan Kanakasabapathy, Timothy William Weidman, Qinghuang Lin, Jerome S. Hubacek
  • Publication number: 20230266670
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to use of a metal chelator to treat an exposed photoresist film. In particular embodiments, the metal chelator is employed to remove an interfacial area that is disposed between exposed and unexposed areas or disposed within an exposed area, thereby enhancing patterning quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Calvin Hansen, Timothy William Weidman, Chenghao Wu, Kevin Li Gu, Dries Dictus
  • Publication number: 20230266664
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a film formed with an organotin(II) compound, as well as methods for forming and employing such films. The film can be employed as a photopatternable film or a radiation-sensitive film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Calvin Hansen, Chenghao Wu, Timothy William Weidman
  • Publication number: 20230259025
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a film formed with a precursor and an organic co-reactant, as well as methods for forming and employing such films. The film can be employed as a photopatternable film or a radiation-sensitive film. In particular embodiments, the carbon content within the film can be tuned by decoupling the sources of the radiation-sensitive metal elements and the radiation-sensitive organic moieties during deposition. In non-limiting embodiments, the radiation can include extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or deep ultraviolet (DUV) radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Eric Calvin Hansen, Timothy William Weidman, Chenghao Wu, Qinghuang Lin, Kyle Jordan Blakeney
  • Publication number: 20230185196
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for exposing an organic metal-oxide film to a blanket UV treatment prior to a lithographic patterning operation. A blanket UV treatment may be used to shift a solubility curve of the film, such that a lower EUV dose may be used to pattern the film. Additionally, a blanket UV treatment may be used after development to further cure the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy William Weidman, Kevin Li Gu, Chenghao Wu, Katie Lynn Nardi, Boris Volosskiy
  • Publication number: 20230107357
    Abstract: Dry development or dry removal of metal-containing extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) photoresist is performed in atmospheric conditions or performed in process tools without vacuum equipment. Dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist may be performed under atmospheric pressure or over-atmospheric pressure. Dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist may be performed with exposure to an air environment or with non-oxidizing gases. A process chamber or module may be modified or integrated to perform dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist with baking, wafer cleaning, wafer treatment, or other photoresist processing function. In some embodiments, the process chamber for dry removal of the metal-containing EUV photoresist includes a heating assembly for localized heating of a semiconductor substrate and a movable discharge nozzle for localized gas delivery above the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Dries DICTUS, Timothy William WEIDMAN
  • Publication number: 20230045336
    Abstract: Methods for making thin-films on semiconductor substrates, may be patterned using EUV, include: depositing the organometallic polymer-like material onto the surface of the semiconductor substrate, exposing the surface to EUV to form a pattern, and developing the pattern for later transfer to underlying layers. The depositing operations may be performed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and ALD with a CVD component, such as a discontinuous, ALD-like process in which metal precursors and counter-reactants are separated in either time or space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jengyi Yu, Samantha S.H. Tan, Mohammed Haroon Alvi, Richard Wise, Yang Pan, Richard Alan Gottscho, Adrien LaVoie, Sivananda Krishnan Kanakasabapathy, Timothy William Weidman, Qinghuang Lin, Jerome S. Hubacek
  • Publication number: 20220365434
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a patterning structure having a radiation-absorbing layer and an imaging layer, as well as methods and apparatuses thereof. In particular embodiments, the radiation-absorbing layer provides an increase in radiation absorptivity and/or patterning performance of the imaging layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Katie Lynn Nardi, Timothy William Weidman, Chenghao Wu, Kevin Li Gu, Boris Volosskiy
  • Publication number: 20220342301
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to techniques for depositing photoresist material on a substrate. For example, the tin techniques may involve providing the substrate in a reaction chamber; providing a first and second reactant to the reaction chamber, where the first reactant is an organo-metallic precursor having a formula of M1aR1bL1c, where: M1 is a metal having a high patterning radiation-absorption cross-section, R1 is an organic group that survives the reaction between the first reactant and the second reactant and is cleavable from M1 under exposure to patterning radiation, L1 is a ligand, ion, or other moiety that reacts with the second reactant, a?1, b?1, and c?1, and where at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: the photoresist material comprises two or more high-patterning radiation absorbing elements, and/or the photoresist material comprises a composition gradient along a thickness of the photoresist material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy William Weidman, Kevin Li Gu, Katie Lynn Nardi, Chenghao Wu, Boris Volosskiy, Eric Calvin Hansen
  • Publication number: 20220344136
    Abstract: A metal-containing photoresist film may be deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a dry deposition technique. Unintended metal-containing photoresist material may form on internal surfaces of a process chamber during deposition, bevel and backside cleaning, baking, development, or etch operations. An in situ dry chamber clean may be performed to remove the unintended metal-containing photoresist material by exposure to an etch gas. The dry chamber clean may be performed at elevated temperatures without striking a plasma. In some embodiments, the dry chamber clean may include pumping/purging and conditioning operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Peter, Da Li, Timothy William Weidman, Boris Volosskiy, Chenghao Wu, Katie Lynn Nardi, Kevin Li Gu, Leon Taleh, Samantha SiamHwa Tan, Jengyi Yu, Meng Xue
  • Publication number: 20220308462
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for dry deposition of extreme ultra-violet-sensitive (EUV-sensitive) photoresist layers are discussed. In some such systems, a processing chamber may be provided that features a multi-plenum showerhead that is configured to receive a vaporized organometallic precursor in one plenum and a vaporized counter-reactant thereof in another plenum. The two vaporized reactants may be delivered to a reaction space within the processing chamber and over a wafer support that supports the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Butch Berney, Alan M. Schoepp, Timothy William Weidman, Kevin Li Gu, Chenghao Wu, Katie Lynn Nardi, Boris Volosskiy, Clint Edward Thomas, Thad Nicholson