Patents by Inventor Yoji Mizutani

Yoji Mizutani 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: 20070197046
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to form an interlayer insulating film on a substrate and cure the interlayer insulating film in a time shorter than that in the prior art. The present invention is a substrate processing method in which the interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate is irradiated with electron beams in a processing chamber, whereby the interlayer insulating film is cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoji Mizutani, Masao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7205024
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20060292298
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6979474
    Abstract: When a substrate coated with a coating solution which oxidizes at high temperatures is heat-treated, an oxygen concentration of a treatment atmosphere is lowered when the temperature is low. Next, the substrate is heat-treated in the treatment atmosphere of which the oxygen concentration is lowered. Sequentially, the treatment atmosphere is returned to that with the original oxygen concentration after the passage of a predetermined time after completing the heat treatment. Thereby, the substrate can be heat-treated, with the oxidization of the coating solution being controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuyama, Yoji Mizutani, Shinji Nagashima, Akira Yonemizu
  • Patent number: 6808567
    Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040156996
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6726775
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040045184
    Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040013817
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to form an interlayer insulating film on a substrate and cure the interlayer insulating film in a time shorter than that in the prior art. The present invention is a substrate processing method in which the interlayer insulating film formed on the substrate is irradiated with electron beams in a processing chamber, whereby the interlayer insulating film is cured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Yoji Mizutani, Masao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6660096
    Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6656273
    Abstract: In an organic insulating film coating apparatus, an organic insulating film is applied onto a wafer by a spin coating. Thereafter, the wafer is subjected to heat processing and an inorganic insulating film is applied onto the wafer by a spin coating in an inorganic insulating film coating apparatus. After the coating of the inorganic insulating film, the wafer is subjected to aging processing and exchange-chemical coating processing. Thereafter, a solvent in the coating film is removed in a low-temperature heat processing apparatus and a low-oxygen and high-temperature heat processing apparatus, and thermal processing is performed for the wafer in a low-oxygen curing and cooling processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takayuki Toshima, Nobuo Konishi, Yoji Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20030196595
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6589339
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20010029890
    Abstract: When a substrate coated with a coating solution which oxidizes at high temperatures is heat-treated, an oxygen concentration of a treatment atmosphere is lowered when the temperature is low. Next, the substrate is heat-treated in the treatment atmosphere of which the oxygen concentration is lowered. Sequentially, the treatment atmosphere is returned to that with the original oxygen concentration after the passage of a predetermined time after completing the heat treatment. Thereby, the substrate can be heat-treated, with the oxidization of the coating solution being controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuyama, Yoji Mizutani, Shinji Nagashima, Akira Yonemizu
  • Publication number: 20010017103
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6261365
    Abstract: When a substrate coated with a coating solution which oxidizes at high temperatures is heat-treated, an oxygen concentration of a treatment atmosphere is lowered when the temperature is low. Next, the substrate is heat-treated in the treatment atmosphere of which the oxygen concentration is lowered. Sequentially, the treatment atmosphere is returned to that with the original oxygen concentration after the passage of a predetermined time after completing the heat treatment. Thereby, the substrate can be heat-treated, with the oxidization of the coating solution being controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuyama, Yoji Mizutani, Shinji Nagashima, Akira Yonemizu
  • Patent number: 6248168
    Abstract: Prior to transfer of an wafer W, a mixed gas is being generated and exhausted, thereby fluctuation of concentration and temperature of a solvent component at the beginning of gas introduction into a chamber 3 is suppressed. A step of gelling after the wafer W is carried into an aging unit is divided into several steps. Until a temperature of the wafer W reaches a predetermined treatment temperature, an average concentration of the solvent component in a mixed gas is gradually raised relative to the temperature of the wafer W. Thereby, immediately after the wafer W is transferred into a sealed chamber, the gas of the solvent component is prevented from condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Makoto Muramatsu, Yoji Mizutani, Kazutoshi Yano, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Publication number: 20010000198
    Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: April 12, 2001
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani, Kyoshige Katayama
  • Patent number: 6197385
    Abstract: A coating unit, an aging unit, and a solvent substituting unit are adjacently disposed. The waiting time period after a wafer is loaded to the coating unit until the coating process of the coating process is started, is adjusted so that the staying time period of the wafer in the coating unit becomes longer than the staying time period of the wafer in the aging unit and the staying time period of the wafer in the solvent substituting unit (whichever longer). The staying time period of the wafer in the coating unit is designated as a rate determiner. Thus, after the coating solution is coated to the wafer, the wafer is quickly conveyed to the next process. Consequently, since the solvent can be suppressed from evaporating, an excellent thin film can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6190459
    Abstract: A gas flow regulating surface portion 37a is the farthest from the front surface of a wafer W in the middle between a peripheral portion of the wafer W and a center portion of a sealing vessel. The gas flow regulating portion 37a protrudes to the front surface of the wafer W in the vicinity of a center portion that surrounds an exhausting opening 35a. In other words, a convex portion 37c is formed in a peripheral area of the gas flow regulating surface portion 37a that surrounds the exhausting opening 35a. Since treatment gas flows along the front surface of the gas flow regulating portion 37a, treatment gas equally contacts the wafer W in the radius direction of the wafer W. Thus, a film with equal thickness is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeshita, Shinji Nagashima, Yoji Mizutani, Kyoshige Katayama