Patents by Inventor Zhe Gui

Zhe Gui 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).

  • Patent number: 11894227
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui
  • Publication number: 20230304156
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. The assembly includes a pedestal having a pedestal top surface extending from a central axis of the pedestal to an outer edge, the pedestal top surface having a plurality of wafer supports for supporting a wafer. A pedestal step having a step surface extending from a step inner diameter towards the outer edge of the pedestal. A focus ring rests on the step surface and having a mesa extending from an outer diameter of the focus ring to a mesa inner diameter. A shelf steps downwards from a mesa surface at the mesa inner diameter, and extends between the mesa inner diameter and an inner diameter of the focus ring. The shelf is configured to support at least a portion of a wafer bottom surface of the wafer at a process temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Geoffrey HOHN, Huatan QIU, Rachel E. BATZER, Guangbi YUAN, Zhe GUI
  • Patent number: 11702748
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. The assembly includes a pedestal having a pedestal top surface extending from a central axis of the pedestal to an outer edge, the pedestal top surface having a plurality of wafer supports for supporting a wafer. A pedestal step having a step surface extending from a step inner diameter towards the outer edge of the pedestal. A focus ring rests on the step surface and having a mesa extending from an outer diameter of the focus ring to a mesa inner diameter. A shelf steps downwards from a mesa surface at the mesa inner diameter, and extends between the mesa inner diameter and an inner diameter of the focus ring. The shelf is configured to support at least a portion of a wafer bottom surface of the wafer at a process temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hohn, Huatan Qiu, Rachel Batzer, Guangbi Yuan, Zhe Gui
  • Publication number: 20230223238
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plasma may include one or more coupling ports to accept and RF current. The apparatus may additionally include a receptacle to accommodate one or more gases, in which the receptacle is oriented along a first axis. The apparatus may additionally include an RF coupling structure, oriented in a plane and substantially surrounding the receptacle, the RF coupling structure can be configured to conduct an RF current to bring about formation of the plasma within the receptacle. The apparatus may further include one or more linkages, coupled to the RF coupling structure, which may permit the plane of the RF coupling structure to pivot about a second axis so as to tilt the plane of the RF coupling structure toward the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Tongtong Guo, Rachel E. Batzer, Huatan Qiu, Lee Chen, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui
  • Publication number: 20230203646
    Abstract: A doped or undoped silicon carbide film can be deposited using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. One or more silicon-containing precursors are provided to a reaction chamber. Radical species, such as hydrogen radical species, are provided in a substantially low energy state or ground state and interact with the one or more silicon-containing precursors to deposit the silicon carbide film. A co-reactant may be flowed with the one or more silicon-containing precursors, where the co-reactant can be a depositing additive or a non-depositing additive to increase step coverage of the silicon carbide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Scott WEIMER, Bhadri N. VARADARAJAN, Bo GONG, Zhe GUI
  • Publication number: 20230175134
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Rachel E. BATZER, Huatan QIU, Bhadri N. VARADARAJAN, Patrick Girard BREILING, Bo GONG, Will SCHLOSSER, Zhe GUI, Taide TAN, Geoffrey HOHN
  • Patent number: 11608559
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel Batzer, Huatan Qiu, Bhadri Varadarajan, Patrick Girard Breiling, Bo Gong, Will Schlosser, Zhe Gui, Taide Tan, Geoffrey Hohn
  • Publication number: 20220148875
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Bhadri N. VARADARAJAN, Bo GONG, Zhe GUI
  • Patent number: 11264234
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui
  • Publication number: 20210371982
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Rachel BATZER, Huatan Qiu, Bhadri Varadarajan, Patrick Girard Breiling, Bo Gong, Will Schlosser, Zhe Gui, Taide Tan, Geoffrey Hohn
  • Publication number: 20210269918
    Abstract: A showerhead for a substrate processing system includes a lower surface, a plasma-facing upper surface, a gas plenum defined between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a plurality of injectors distributed on the lower surface, wherein the plurality of injectors are in fluid communication with the gas plenum. A plurality of through holes extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. Selected ones of the plurality of through holes have a diameter that is different from a diameter of remaining ones of the plurality of through holes. The diameter of the selected ones of the plurality of through holes is predetermined in accordance with a desired ratio of respective gases provided via the selected ones of the plurality of through holes and the remaining ones of the plurality of through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Rachel BATZER, Zhe GUI, Galbokka Hewage Layan SAVITHRA
  • Patent number: 11101164
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel Batzer, Huatan Qiu, Bhadri Varadarajan, Patrick Girard Breiling, Bo Gong, Will Schlosser, Zhe Gui, Taide Tan, Geoffrey Hohn
  • Patent number: 11015247
    Abstract: A showerhead for a substrate processing system includes a lower surface, a plasma-facing upper surface, a gas plenum defined between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a plurality of injectors distributed on the lower surface, wherein the plurality of injectors are in fluid communication with the gas plenum. A plurality of through holes extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. Selected ones of the plurality of through holes have a diameter that is different from a diameter of remaining ones of the plurality of through holes. The diameter of the selected ones of the plurality of through holes is predetermined in accordance with a desired ratio of respective gases provided via the selected ones of the plurality of through holes and the remaining ones of the plurality of through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rachel Batzer, Zhe Gui, Galbokka Hewage Layan Savithra
  • Patent number: 10604841
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum including an inlet to receive heat transfer fluid and a plurality of flow channels to direct the heat transfer fluid through a center portion of the showerhead to an outlet to control a temperature of the showerhead, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel Batzer, Huatan Qiu, Bhadri Varadarajan, Patrick Girard Breiling, Bo Gong, Will Schlosser, Zhe Gui, Taide Tan, Geoffrey Hohn
  • Publication number: 20190259604
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui
  • Patent number: 10325773
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing silicon carbide films. A layer of silicon carbide can be provided under process conditions that employ one or more silicon-containing precursors that have one or more silicon-hydrogen bonds and/or silicon-silicon bonds. The silicon-containing precursors may also have one or more silicon-oxygen bonds and/or silicon-carbon bonds. One or more radical species in a substantially low energy state can react with the silicon-containing precursors to form the silicon carbide film. The one or more radical species can be formed in a remote plasma source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui
  • Publication number: 20190177846
    Abstract: A showerhead for a substrate processing system includes a lower surface, a plasma-facing upper surface, a gas plenum defined between the lower surface and the upper surface, and a plurality of injectors distributed on the lower surface, wherein the plurality of injectors are in fluid communication with the gas plenum. A plurality of through holes extends from the upper surface to the lower surface. Selected ones of the plurality of through holes have a diameter that is different from a diameter of remaining ones of the plurality of through holes. The diameter of the selected ones of the plurality of through holes is predetermined in accordance with a desired ratio of respective gases provided via the selected ones of the plurality of through holes and the remaining ones of the plurality of through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Rachel BATZER, Zhe GUI, Galbokka Hewage Layan SAVITHRA
  • Patent number: 10319582
    Abstract: Thin layer of silicon oxide is deposited on a substrate having an exposed layer of metal (e.g., W, Cu, Ti, Co, Ta) without causing substantial oxidation of the metal. The method involves: (a) contacting the substrate having an exposed metal layer with a silicon-containing precursor and adsorbing the precursor on the substrate; (b) removing the unadsorbed precursor from a process chamber; and (c) contacting the adsorbed precursor with a plasma formed in a process gas comprising an oxygen source (e.g., O2, CO2, N2O, O3) and H2, to form silicon oxide from the silicon-containing precursor while suppressing metal oxidation. These steps can be repeated until a silicon oxide film of a desired thickness is formed. In some embodiments, the silicon oxide film is used to improve nucleation of subsequently deposited silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Zhe Gui, Bo Gong, Andrew John McKerrow
  • Patent number: 10297442
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for depositing a graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film using remote plasma. A graded or multi-layered silicon carbide film can be formed under process conditions that provide one or more organosilicon precursors onto a substrate in a reaction chamber. Radicals of source gas in a substantially low energy state, such as radicals of hydrogen in the ground state, are provided from a remote plasma source into reaction chamber. In addition, co-reactant gas is flowed towards the reaction chamber. In some implementations, radicals of the co-reactant gas are provided from the remote plasma source into the reaction chamber. A flow rate of the co-reactant gas can be changed over time, incrementally or gradually, to form a multi-layered silicon carbide film or a graded silicon carbide film having a composition gradient from a first surface to a second surface of the graded silicon carbide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Guangbi Yuan, Zhe Gui, Fengyuan Lai
  • Publication number: 20180347035
    Abstract: A doped or undoped silicon carbide film can be deposited using a remote plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. One or more silicon-containing precursors are provided to a reaction chamber. Radical species, such as hydrogen radical species, are provided in a substantially low energy state or ground state and interact with the one or more silicon-containing precursors to deposit the silicon carbide film. A co-reactant may be flowed with the one or more silicon-containing precursors, where the co-reactant can be a depositing additive or a non-depositing additive to increase step coverage of the silicon carbide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Weimer, Bhadri N. Varadarajan, Bo Gong, Zhe Gui