Patents by Inventor Xinliang Lu

Xinliang Lu 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: 20190378692
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating hydrogen radicals for processing a workpiece, such as a semiconductor workpiece, are provided. In one example implementation, a method can include generating one or more species in a plasma chamber from an inert gas by inducing a plasma in the inert gas using a plasma source; mixing hydrogen gas with the one or more species to generate one or more hydrogen radicals; and exposing the workpiece in a processing chamber to the one or more hydrogen radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Qi Zhang, Xinliang Lu, Hua Chung, Michael X. Yang
  • Publication number: 20190371662
    Abstract: Processing methods comprise forming a gap fill layer comprising tungsten or molybdenum by exposing a substrate surface having at least one feature thereon sequentially to a metal precursor and a reducing agent comprising hydrogen to form the gap fill layer in the feature, wherein there is not a nucleation layer between the substrate surface and the gap fill layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Yihong Chen, Kelvin Chan, Xinliang Lu, Srinivas Gandikota, Yong Wu, Susmit Singha Roy, Chia Cheng Chin
  • Publication number: 20190318937
    Abstract: Methods for material removal of a film, such as a metal nitride film, from a workpiece are provided. One example implementation is directed to a method for processing a workpiece. The workpiece can include a film (e.g., a metal nitride film). The method can include generating one or more species (e.g., hydrogen radicals, excited inert gas molecules, etc.). The method can include mixing alkyl halide with the one or more species to generate one or more alkyl radicals. The method can include exposing the film to the one or more alkyl radicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20190304793
    Abstract: Processes for surface treatment of a workpiece are provided. In one example implementation, a method can include performing an organic radical based surface treatment process on a workpiece. The organic radical based surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber. The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon molecules with the species to create a mixture. The mixture can include one or more organic radicals. The surface treatment process can include exposing a semiconductor material on the workpiece to the mixture in a second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Patent number: 10403492
    Abstract: Processes for surface treatment of a workpiece are provided. In one example implementation, organic radicals (e.g., methyl CH3 radicals) can be generated by exciting and/or dissociating hydrogen and/or inert gas (e.g., Ar, He, etc) molecules in a remote plasma source and a subsequent reaction with organic molecule (alkanes and alkenes). The organic radicals (e.g., methyl CH3 radicals) can be exposed to the silicon and/or silicon germanium surfaces. After exposure to the organic radicals, the silicon and/or silicon germanium surfaces can be stable in air for a time period (e.g., days) with reduced surface oxidation such that the silicon and/or silicon germanium surfaces can be effectively protected from oxidation. As such, native surface oxide removal process before subsequent process steps can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu, Haochen Li, Ting Xie, Qi Zhang
  • Patent number: 10354883
    Abstract: Processes for surface treatment of a workpiece are provided. In one example implementation, a method can include performing an organic radical based surface treatment process on a workpiece. The organic radical based surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber. The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon molecules with the species to create a mixture. The mixture can include one or more organic radicals. The surface treatment process can include exposing a semiconductor material on the workpiece to the mixture in a second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20190214262
    Abstract: Surface treatment processes for treating a workpiece with organic radicals are provided. In one example implementation, a method for processing a workpiece having a semiconductor material and a carbon containing layer (e.g., photoresist) can include a surface treatment process on the workpiece. The surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber (e.g., a plasma chamber). The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon radicals with the species to create a mixture. The surface treatment process can include exposing the carbon containing layer to the mixture in a second chamber (e.g., a processing chamber).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Patent number: 10269574
    Abstract: Surface treatment processes for treating a workpiece with organic radicals are provided. In one example implementation, a method for processing a workpiece having a semiconductor material and a carbon containing layer (e.g., photoresist) can include a surface treatment process on the workpiece. The surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber (e.g., a plasma chamber). The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon radicals with the species to create a mixture. The surface treatment process can include exposing the carbon containing layer to the mixture in a second chamber (e.g., a processing chamber).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20190103279
    Abstract: Processes for surface treatment of a workpiece are provided. In one example implementation, a method can include performing an organic radical based surface treatment process on a workpiece. The organic radical based surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber. The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon molecules with the species to create a mixture. The mixture can include one or more organic radicals. The surface treatment process can include exposing a semiconductor material on the workpiece to the mixture in a second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20190103270
    Abstract: Surface treatment processes for treating low-k dielectric materials are provided. One example implementation can include a method for processing a workpiece. The workpiece can include a silicon and carbon containing film material. The method can include treating the workpiece with a surface treatment process. The surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber; mixing one or more hydrocarbon molecules with the species to create a mixture comprising one or more organic radicals; and exposing the silicon and carbon containing layer on the workpiece to the mixture in a second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20190103280
    Abstract: Surface treatment processes for treating a workpiece with organic radicals are provided. In one example implementation, a method for processing a workpiece having a semiconductor material and a carbon containing layer (e.g., photoresist) can include a surface treatment process on the workpiece. The surface treatment process can include generating one or more species in a first chamber (e.g., a plasma chamber). The surface treatment process can include mixing one or more hydrocarbon radicals with the species to create a mixture. The surface treatment process can include exposing the carbon containing layer to the mixture in a second chamber (e.g., a processing chamber).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Hua Chung, Xinliang Lu
  • Publication number: 20180350606
    Abstract: Methods for forming 3D-NAND devices comprising recessing a poly-Si layer to a depth below a spaced oxide layer. A liner is formed on the spaced oxide layer and not on the recessed poly-Si layer. A metal layer is deposited in the gaps on the liner to form wordlines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yihong Chen, Yong Wu, Chia Cheng Chin, Xinliang Lu, Srinivas Gandikota, Ziqing Duan, Abhijit Basu Mallick
  • Patent number: 9881787
    Abstract: Methods for depositing titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition are disclosed. Titanium oxide films may include a titanium nitride cap, an oxygen rich titanium nitride cap or a mixed oxide nitride layer. Also described are methods for self-aligned double patterning including titanium oxide spacer films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Benjamin Schmiege, Xuesong Lu, Juno Yu-Ting Huang, Yu Lei, Yung-Hsin Lee, Srinivas Gandikota, Rajkumar Jakkaraju, Chikuang Charles Wang, Ghazal Saheli, Benjamin C. Wang, Xinliang Lu, Pingyan Lei
  • Patent number: 9683287
    Abstract: Films comprising Aluminum, carbon and a metal, wherein the aluminum is present in an amount greater than about 16% by elemental content and the film has less than about 50% carbon. Methods of forming the films comprise exposing a substrate to a metal halide precursor, purging the metal halide precursor from the processing chamber and then exposing the substrate to an alkyl aluminum precursor and an alane precursor, either sequentially or simultaneously. The alane precrursor comprises an amine-alane and a stabilizing amine selected from one or more of diemthylcyclohexylamine or dicyclomethylhexylamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Thompson, Srinivas Gandikota, Xinliang Lu, Wei Tang, Jing Zhou, Seshadri Ganguli, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Atif Noori, Faruk Gungor, Dien-Yeh Wu, Mei Chang, Shih Chung Chen
  • Publication number: 20170053792
    Abstract: Methods for the deposition of SiN films comprising sequential exposure of a substrate surface to a silicon halide precursor at a temperature greater than or equal to about 600° C. and a nitrogen-containing reactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Xinliang Lu, Pingyan Lei, Chien-Teh Kao, Mihaela Balseanu, Li-Qun Xia, Mandyam Sriram
  • Patent number: 9530627
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a thermal chlorine gas cleaning process. In one embodiment, a method for cleaning N-Metal film deposition in a processing chamber includes positioning a dummy substrate on a substrate support. The processing chamber is heated to at least about 50 degrees Celsius. The method further includes flowing chlorine gas into the processing chamber and evacuating chlorine gas from the processing chamber. In another embodiment, a method for cleaning titanium aluminide film deposition in a processing chamber includes heating the processing chamber to a temperature between about 70 about degrees Celsius and about 100 degrees Celsius, wherein the processing chamber and the substrate support include one or more fluid channels configured to heat or cool the processing chamber and the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Xinliang Lu, Kyoung-Ho Bu, Jing Zhou, Seshadri Ganguli, David Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160372324
    Abstract: Methods for depositing titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition are disclosed. Titanium oxide films may include a titanium nitride cap, an oxygen rich titanium nitride cap or a mixed oxide nitride layer. Also described are methods for self-aligned double patterning including titanium oxide spacer films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Benjamin Schmiege, Xuesong Lu, Juno Yu-Ting Huang, Yu Lei, Yung-Hsin Lee, Srinivas Gandikota, Rajkumar Jakkaraju, Chikuang Charles Wang, Ghazal Saheli, Benjamin C. Wang, Xinliang Lu, Pingyan Lei
  • Patent number: 9269584
    Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing N-Metals onto a substrate. Methods include first depositing an initiation layer. The initiation layer may comprise or consist of cobalt, tantalum, nickel, titanium or TaAlC. These initiation layers can be used to deposit TaCx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Seshadri Ganguli, Xinliang Lu, Atif Noori, Maitreyee Mahajani, Shih Chung Chen, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9147578
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods for treating a metal silicide contact which includes positioning a substrate having an oxide layer disposed on a metal silicide contact surface within a processing chamber, cleaning the metal silicide contact surface to remove the oxide layer while forming a cleaned silicide contact surface during a cleaning process, and exposing the cleaned silicide contact surface to a silicon-containing compound to form a recovered silicide contact surface during a regeneration process. In some examples, the cleaning of the metal silicide contact surface includes cooling the substrate to an initial temperature of less than 65° C., forming reactive species from a gas mixture of ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride by igniting a plasma, exposing the oxide layer to the reactive species to form a thin film, and heating the substrate to about 100° C. or greater to remove the thin film from the substrate while forming the cleaned silicide contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xinliang Lu, Chien-Teh Kao, Chiukin Steve Lai, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9145612
    Abstract: Provided are methods of depositing films comprising alloys of aluminum, which may be suitable as N-metal films. Certain methods comprise exposing a substrate surface to a metal halide precursor comprising a metal halide selected from TiCl4, TaCl5 and HfCl4 to provide a metal halide at the substrate surface; purging metal halide; exposing the substrate surface to an alkyl aluminum precursor comprising one or more of dimethyaluminum hydride, diethylhydridoaluminum, methyldihydroaluminum, and an alkyl aluminum hydrides of the formula [(CxHy)3-aAlHa]n, wherein x has a value of 1 to 3, y has a value of 2x+2, a has a value of 1 to 2, and n has a value of 1 to 4; and exposing the substrate surface to an alane-containing precursor comprising one or more of dimethylethylamine alane, methylpyrrolidinealane, di(methylpyrolidine)alane, and trimethyl amine alane borane. Other methods comprise exposing a substrate surface to a metal precursor and trimethyl amine alane borane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Gandikota, Xinliang Lu, Shih Chung Chen, Wei Tang, Jing Zhou, Seshadri Ganguli, David Thompson, Jeffrey W. Anthis, Atif Noori, Faruk Gungor, Dien-Yeh Wu, Mei Chang, Xinyu Fu, Yu Lei