Patents by Inventor Xi CEN

Xi CEN 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: 20230109501
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for forming a bottom-up tungsten gapfill. Some embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods for reducing the deposition rate of tungsten by chemical vapor deposition. A molybdenum halide precursor is added to a tungsten halide precursor and a reductant. The co-flow of tungsten halide and molybdenum halide demonstrates either reduced or eliminated tungsten growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Kai Wu
  • Publication number: 20230023235
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and associated apparatus for filling a feature in a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of filling a feature in a substrate includes: depositing a seed layer of tungsten nitride in the feature via a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process; depositing a liner layer of tungsten on the seed layer of tungsten nitride in the feature via a PVD process; and subsequently filling the feature with a tungsten bulk fill via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Yun TAEWOONG, Shirish A. PETHE, Kai WU, Nobuyuki SASAKI, Wei LEI
  • Publication number: 20220372617
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film are discussed. A metal film is formed on the bottom of feature having a metal bottom and dielectric sidewalls. Formation of the metal film comprises exposure to a metal precursor and an alkyl halide catalyst while the substrate is maintained at a deposition temperature. The metal precursor has a decomposition temperature above the deposition temperature. The alkyl halide comprises carbon and halogen, and the halogen comprises bromine or iodine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Kai Wu, Seshadri Ganguli, Xinming Zhang, Norman L. Tam, Abhilash Mayur
  • Publication number: 20220359279
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are generally directed to methods of forming high aspect ratio metal contacts and/or interconnect features, e.g., tungsten features, in a semiconductor device. Often, conformal deposition of tungsten in a high aspect ratio opening results in a seam and/or void where the outward growth of tungsten from one or more walls of the opening meet. Thus, the methods set forth herein provide for a desirable bottom up tungsten bulk fill to avoid the formation of seams and/or voids in the resulting interconnect features, and provide an improved contact metal structure and method of forming the same. In some embodiments, an improved overburden layer or overburden layer structure is formed over the field region of the substrate to enable the formation of a contact or interconnect structure that has improved characteristics over conventionally formed contacts or interconnect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Mingrui ZHAO, Peiqi WANG, Wei Min CHAN, Kai WU, Yi LUO, Liqi WU
  • Publication number: 20220333232
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film with high purity are discussed. A catalyst enhanced CVD process is utilized comprising an alkyl halide catalyst soak and a precursor exposure. The precursor comprises a metal precursor having the general formula (I): M-L1(L2)y, wherein M is a metal, L1 is an aromatic ligand, L2 is an aliphatic ligand, and y is a number in the range of from 2 to 8 to form a metal film on the substrate surface, wherein the L2 comprises 1,5-hexdiene, 1,4-hexadiene, and less than 5% of 1,3-hexadiene. Selective deposition of a metal film with high purity on a metal surface over a dielectric surface is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Yoon, Seshadri Ganguli, Xi Cen
  • Publication number: 20220336274
    Abstract: Method for forming tungsten gap fill on a structure, including high aspect ratio structures includes depositing a tungsten liner in the structure using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process with high ionization and an ambient gas of argon or krypton. The PVD process is performed at a temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius to approximately 300 degrees Celsius. The method further includes treating the structure with a nitridation process and depositing bulk fill tungsten into the structure using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to form a seam suppressed boron free tungsten fill. The CVD process is performed at a temperature of approximately 300 degrees Celsius to approximately 500 degrees Celsius and at a pressure of approximately 5 Torr to approximately 300 Torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Kai WU, Min HEON, Wei Min CHAN, Tom Ho Wing YU, Peiqi WANG, Ju Ik KANG, Feihu WANG, Nobuyuki SASAKI, Chunming ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20220325410
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film are discussed. A metal film is formed on the bottom of feature having a metal bottom and dielectric sidewalls. Formation of the metal film comprises exposure to a metal precursor and an alkyl halide catalyst while the substrate is maintained at a deposition temperature. The metal precursor has a decomposition temperature above the deposition temperature. The alkyl halide comprises carbon and halogen, and the halogen comprises bromine or iodine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Yoon, Liqi Wu, Joung Joo Lee, Kai Wu, Xi Cen, Wei Lei, Sang Ho Yu, Seshadri Ganguli
  • Publication number: 20220270871
    Abstract: Methods for pre-cleaning substrates having metal and dielectric surfaces are described. The substrate is exposed to a strong reductant to remove contaminants from the metal surface and damage the dielectric surface. The substrate is then exposed to an oxidation process to repair the damage to the dielectric surface and oxidize the metal surface. The substrate is then exposed to a weak reductant to reduce the metal oxide to a pure metal surface without substantially affecting the dielectric surface. Processing tools and computer readable media for practicing the method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Yakuan Yao, Yiming Lai, Kai Wu, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, David T. Or, Kevin Kashefi, Yu Lei, Lin Dong, He Ren, Yi Xu, Mehul Naik, Hao Chen, Mang-Mang Ling
  • Patent number: 11401602
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film with high purity are discussed. A catalyst enhanced CVD process is utilized comprising an alkyl halide catalyst soak and a precursor exposure. The precursor comprises a metal precursor having the general formula (I): M-L1(L2)y, wherein M is a metal, L1 is an aromatic ligand, L2 is an aliphatic ligand, and y is a number in the range of from 2 to 8 to form a metal film on the substrate surface, wherein the L2 comprises 1,5-hexdiene, 1,4-hexadiene, and less than 5% of 1,3-hexadiene. Selective deposition of a metal film with high purity on a metal surface over a dielectric surface is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Yoon, Seshadri Ganguli, Xi Cen
  • Patent number: 11380536
    Abstract: Methods for pre-cleaning substrates having metal and dielectric surfaces are described. The substrate is exposed to a strong reductant to remove contaminants from the metal surface and damage the dielectric surface. The substrate is then exposed to an oxidation process to repair the damage to the dielectric surface and oxidize the metal surface. The substrate is then exposed to a weak reductant to reduce the metal oxide to a pure metal surface without substantially affecting the dielectric surface. Processing tools and computer readable media for practicing the method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Yakuan Yao, Yiming Lai, Kai Wu, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, David T. Or, Kevin Kashefi, Yu Lei, Lin Dong, He Ren, Yi Xu, Mehul Naik, Hao Chen, Mang-Mang Ling
  • Patent number: 11355391
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for processing of substrates, and more particularly relates to methods for forming a metal gapfill. In one implementation, the method includes forming a metal gapfill in an opening using a multi-step process. The multi-step process includes forming a first portion of the metal gapfill, performing a sputter process to form one or more layers on one or more side walls, and growing a second portion of the metal gapfill to fill the opening with the metal gapfill. The metal gapfill formed by the multi-step process is seamless, and the one or more layers formed on the one or more side walls seal any gaps or defects between the metal gapfill and the side walls. As a result, fluids utilized in subsequent processes do not diffuse through the metal gapfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Feiyue Ma, Kai Wu, Yu Lei, Kazuya Daito, Yi Xu, Vikash Banthia, Mei Chang, He Ren, Raymond Hoiman Hung, Yakuan Yao, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, David T. Or, Jing Zhou, Guoqiang Jian, Chi-Chou Lin, Yiming Lai, Jia Ye, Jenn-Yue Wang
  • Publication number: 20220130724
    Abstract: Method for forming tungsten gap fill on a structure, including high aspect ratio structures includes depositing a tungsten liner in the structure using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process with high ionization and an ambient gas of argon or krypton. The PVD process is performed at a temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius to approximately 300 degrees Celsius. The method further includes treating the structure with a nitridation process and depositing bulk fill tungsten into the structure using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to form a seam suppressed boron free tungsten fill. The CVD process is performed at a temperature of approximately 300 degrees Celsius to approximately 500 degrees Celsius and at a pressure of approximately 5 Torr to approximately 300 Torr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Kai WU, Min HEON, Wei Min CHAN, Tom Ho Wing YU, Peiqi WANG, Ju Ik KANG, Feihu WANG, Nobuyuki SASAKI, Chunming ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20220068709
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to provide electronic devices comprising tungsten film stacks are provided. A tungsten liner formed by physical vapor deposition is filled with a tungsten film formed by chemical vapor deposition directly over the tungsten liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Feihu Wang, Joung Joo Lee, Xi Cen, Zhibo Yuan, Wei Lei, Kai Wu, Chunming Zhou, Zhebo Chen
  • Publication number: 20210351032
    Abstract: Methods for pre-cleaning substrates having metal and dielectric surfaces are described. The substrate is exposed to a strong reductant to remove contaminants from the metal surface and damage the dielectric surface. The substrate is then exposed to an oxidation process to repair the damage to the dielectric surface and oxidize the metal surface. The substrate is then exposed to a weak reductant to reduce the metal oxide to a pure metal surface without substantially affecting the dielectric surface. Processing tools and computer readable media for practicing the method are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xi Cen, Yakuan Yao, Yiming Lai, Kai Wu, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, David T. Or, Keyvan Kashefi, Yu Lei, Lin Dong, He Ren, Yi Xu, Mehul Naik, Hao Chen, Mang-Mang Ling
  • Publication number: 20210285102
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film are discussed. A metal film is formed on the bottom of feature having a metal bottom and dielectric sidewalls. Formation of the metal film comprises exposure to a metal precursor and an alkyl halide catalyst while the substrate is maintained at a deposition temperature. The metal precursor has a decomposition temperature above the deposition temperature. The alkyl halide comprises carbon and halogen, and the halogen comprises bromine or iodine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Yoon, Liqi Wu, Joung Joo Lee, Kai Wu, Xi Cen, Wei Lei, Sang Ho Yu, Seshadri Ganguli
  • Publication number: 20210214842
    Abstract: Methods of depositing a metal film with high purity are discussed. A catalyst enhanced CVD process is utilized comprising an alkyl halide catalyst soak and a precursor exposure. The precursor comprises a metal precursor having the general formula (I): M-L1(L2)y, wherein M is a metal, L1 is an aromatic ligand, L2 is an aliphatic ligand, and y is a number in the range of from 2 to 8 to form a metal film on the substrate surface, wherein the L2 comprises 1,5-hexdiene, 1,4-hexadiene, and less than 5% of 1,3-hexadiene. Selective deposition of a metal film with high purity on a metal surface over a dielectric surface is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Yoon, Seshadri Ganguli, Xi Cen
  • Publication number: 20200303250
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods for processing of substrates, and more particularly relates to methods for forming a metal gapfill. In one implementation, the method includes forming a metal gapfill in an opening using a multi-step process. The multi-step process includes forming a first portion of the metal gapfill, performing a sputter process to form one or more layers on one or more side walls, and growing a second portion of the metal gapfill to fill the opening with the metal gapfill. The metal gapfill formed by the multi-step process is seamless, and the one or more layers formed on the one or more side walls seal any gaps or defects between the metal gapfill and the side walls. As a result, fluids utilized in subsequent processes do not diffuse through the metal gapfill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Feiyue MA, Kai WU, Yu LEI, Kazuya DAITO, Yi XU, Vikash BANTHIA, Mei CHANG, He REN, Raymond Hoiman HUNG, Yakuan YAO, Avgerinos V. GELATOS, David T. OR, Jing ZHOU, Guoqiang JIAN, Chi-Chou LIN, Yiming LAI, Jia YE, Jenn-Yue WANG