Patents by Inventor Zhiyuan Ye

Zhiyuan Ye 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: 9159554
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method of fabrication of a device structure comprising Group III-V elements on a substrate. A <111> surface may be formed on a substrate and a Group III-V material may be grown from the <111> surface to form a Group III-V device structure in a trench isolated between a dielectric layer. A final critical dimension of the device structure may be trimmed to achieve a suitably sized node structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Xinyu Bao, Wonseok Lee, David Keith Carlson, Zhiyuan Ye
  • Publication number: 20150233016
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to an apparatus for delivering gas to a semiconductor processing chamber. An upper quartz dome of an epitaxial semiconductor processing chamber has a plurality of holes formed therein and precursor gases are provided into a processing volume of the chamber through the holes of the upper dome. Gas delivery tubes extend from the holes in the dome to a flange plate where the tubes are coupled to gas delivery lines. The gas delivery apparatus enables gases to be delivered to the processing volume above a substrate through the quartz upper dome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Paul BRILLHART, Anzhong CHANG, Edric TONG, Kin Pong LO, James Francis MACK, Zhiyuan YE, Kartik SHAH, Errol Antonio C. SANCHEZ, David K. CARLSON, Satheesh KUPPURAO, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20150221730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods of forming epitaxial layers and devices having epitaxial layers. The methods generally include forming a first epitaxial layer including phosphorus and carbon on a substrate, and then forming a second epitaxial layer including phosphorus and carbon on the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has a lower phosphorus concentration than the first epitaxial layer, which allows for selective etching of the second epitaxial layer and undesired amorphous silicon or polysilicon deposited during the depositions. The substrate is then exposed to an etchant to remove the second epitaxial layer and undesired amorphous silicon or polysilicon. The carbon present in the first and second epitaxial layers reduces phosphorus diffusion, which allows for higher phosphorus doping concentrations. The increased phosphorus concentrations reduce the resistivity of the final device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Zhiyuan YE, Xuebin LI, Saurabh CHOPRA, Yihwan KIM
  • Patent number: 9012328
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods of forming epitaxial layers and devices having epitaxial layers. The methods generally include forming a first epitaxial layer including phosphorus and carbon on a substrate, and then forming a second epitaxial layer including phosphorus and carbon on the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has a lower phosphorus concentration than the first epitaxial layer, which allows for selective etching of the second epitaxial layer and undesired amorphous silicon or polysilicon deposited during the depositions. The substrate is then exposed to an etchant to remove the second epitaxial layer and undesired amorphous silicon or polysilicon. The carbon present in the first and second epitaxial layers reduces phosphorus diffusion, which allows for higher phosphorus doping concentrations. The increased phosphorus concentrations reduce the resistivity of the final device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyuan Ye, Xuebin Li, Saurabh Chopra, Yihwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20150020734
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a processing apparatus having a preheat ring for preheating the process gas. The preheat ring is disposed on a ring support. The preheat ring may have a segment adjacent a process gas inlet. The segment includes a top surface, and the top surface includes features to increase the surface area. In one embodiment, the feature is a plurality of protrusions. In another embodiment, the feature is a plurality of linear fins. In another embodiment, the preheat ring includes a first sub ring and a second sub ring disposed on the first sub ring, wherein the features are located on one segment of the second sub ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Zhiyuan YE, Mehmet Tugrul SAMIR
  • Patent number: 8927066
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gas delivery are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system includes an ampoule for storing a precursor in solid or liquid form, a first conduit coupled to the ampoule and having a first end coupled to a first gas source to draw a vapor of the precursor from the ampoule into the first conduit, a second conduit coupled to the first conduit at a first junction located downstream of the ampoule and having a first end coupled to a second gas source and a second end coupled to a process chamber, and a heat source configured to heat the ampoule and at least a first portion of the first conduit from the ampoule to the second conduit and to heat only a second portion of the second conduit, wherein the second portion of the second conduit includes the first junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyuan Ye, Yihwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20140329376
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method of fabrication of a device structure comprising Group III-V elements on a substrate. A <111> surface may be formed on a substrate and a Group III-V material may be grown from the <111> surface to form a Group III-V device structure in a trench isolated between a dielectric layer. A final critical dimension of the device structure may be trimmed to achieve a suitably sized node structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Errol Antonio C. SANCHEZ, Xinyu BAO, Wonseok LEE, David Keith CARLSON, Zhiyuan YE
  • Publication number: 20140159112
    Abstract: A method for forming a conformal group III/V layer on a silicon substrate and the resulting substrate with the group III/V layers formed thereon. The method includes removing the native oxide from the substrate, positioning a substrate within a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a first temperature, cooling the substrate to a second temperature, flowing a group III precursor into the processing chamber, maintaining the second temperature while flowing a group III precursor and a group V precursor into the processing chamber until a conformal layer is formed, heating the processing chamber to an annealing temperature, while stopping the flow of the group III precursor, and cooling the processing chamber to the second temperature. Deposition of the III/V layer may be made selective through the use of halide gas etching which preferentially etches dielectric regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Xinyu BAO, Errol Antonio C. SANCHEZ, David K. CARLSON, Zhiyuan YE
  • Publication number: 20140137801
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate in a process chamber are provided here. In some embodiments, a gas injector for use in a process chamber includes a first set of outlet ports that provide an angled injection of a first process gas at an angle to a planar surface, and a second set of outlet ports proximate the first set of outlet ports that provide a pressurized laminar flow of a second process gas substantially along the planar surface, the planar surface extending normal to the second set of outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: SHU-KWAN LAU, ZHEPENG CONG, MEHMET TUGRUL SAMIR, ZHIYUAN YE, DAVID K. CARLSON, XUEBIN LI, ERROL ANTONIO C. SANCHEZ, SWAMINATHAN SRINIVASAN
  • Publication number: 20140106547
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for forming silicon epitaxial layers on semiconductor devices. The methods include forming a silicon epitaxial layer on a substrate at increased pressure and reduced temperature. The silicon epitaxial layer has a phosphorus concentration of about 1×1021 atoms per cubic centimeter or greater, and is formed without the addition of carbon. A phosphorus concentration of about 1×1021 atoms per cubic centimeter or greater increases the tensile strain of the deposited layer, and thus, improves channel mobility. Since the epitaxial layer is substantially free of carbon, the epitaxial layer does not suffer from film formation and quality issues commonly associated with carbon-containing epitaxial layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhiyuan YE, Xuebin LI, Saurabh CHOPRA, Yihwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20140083450
    Abstract: Methods for conditioning interior surfaces of a process chamber are provided herein. In one embodiment a method of conditioning interior surfaces of a process chamber is provided. The method comprises maintaining a process chamber at a first pressure and at a first temperature of less than about 800 degrees Celsius, providing a process gas to the process chamber at the first pressure and the first temperature, wherein the process gas comprises chlorine (Cl2) and high IR absorption gas, and exposing the process gas to radiant energy to remove residue disposed on interior surfaces of the process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhiyuan YE
  • Patent number: 8658540
    Abstract: Methods for removing residue from interior surfaces of process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of conditioning interior surfaces of a process chamber may include maintaining a process chamber at a first pressure and at a first temperature of less than about 800 degrees Celsius; providing a process gas to the process chamber at the first pressure and the first temperature, wherein the process gas comprises chlorine and nitrogen to remove residue disposed on interior surfaces of the process chamber; and increasing the pressure in the process chamber from the first pressure to a second pressure while continuing to provide the process gas to the process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chiau Huang, David K. Carlson, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Zhiyuan Ye
  • Patent number: 8652945
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods for forming silicon epitaxial layers on semiconductor devices. The methods include forming a silicon epitaxial layer on a substrate at increased pressure and reduced temperature. The silicon epitaxial layer has a phosphorus concentration of about 1×1021 atoms per cubic centimeter or greater, and is formed without the addition of carbon. A phosphorus concentration of about 1×1021 atoms per cubic centimeter or greater increases the tensile strain of the deposited layer, and thus, improves channel mobility. Since the epitaxial layer is substantially free of carbon, the epitaxial layer does not suffer from film formation and quality issues commonly associated with carbon-containing epitaxial layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyuan Ye, Xuebin Li, Saurabh Chopra, Yihwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20130344688
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for atomic layer deposition of a film with rapid thermal treatment. Methods described can be used to convert an amorphous film to form an epitaxial film with rapid thermal treatment or to selectively deposit a film on a portion of a substrate. A thermal element in the apparatus is capable of globally or locally changing the temperature of the amorphous film or a portion of the amorphous film by temporarily rapidly raising the temperature of the amorphous film converting the film to an epitaxial film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Zhiyuan Ye
  • Patent number: 8603898
    Abstract: A method for forming a conformal group III/V layer on a silicon substrate and the resulting substrate with the group III/V layers formed thereon. The method includes removing the native oxide from the substrate, positioning a substrate within a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a first temperature, cooling the substrate to a second temperature, flowing a group III precursor into the processing chamber, maintaining the second temperature while flowing a group III precursor and a group V precursor into the processing chamber until a conformal layer is formed, heating the processing chamber to an annealing temperature, while stopping the flow of the group III precursor, and cooling the processing chamber to the second temperature. Deposition of the III/V layer may be made selective through the use of halide gas etching which preferentially etches dielectric regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinyu Bao, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, David K. Carlson, Zhiyuan Ye
  • Patent number: 8586456
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a method of forming an epitaxial film on a substrate is provided. The method includes (a) providing a substrate; (b) exposing the substrate to a silicon source and a carbon source so as to form a carbon-containing silicon epitaxial film; (c) encapsulating the carbon-containing silicon epitaxial film with an encapsulating film; and (d) exposing the substrate to Cl2 so as to etch the encapsulating film. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiyuan Ye, Yihwan Kim, Xiaowei Li, Ali Zojaji, Nicholas C. Dalida, Jinsong Tang, Xiao Chen, Arkadii V. Samoilov
  • Publication number: 20130255784
    Abstract: Gas delivery systems and methods of use thereof is provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system may include a first gas supply to provide a first gas along a first flow path; a flow divider disposed in the first flow path to divide the first flow path into a plurality of second flow paths leading to a plurality of corresponding gas delivery zones; and a plurality of second gas supplies respectively coupled to corresponding ones of the second flow paths to independently provide a second gas to respective ones of the plurality of second flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: ZHIYUAN YE, BALASUBRAMANIAN RAMACHANDRAN, DENNIS DEMARS
  • Publication number: 20130256760
    Abstract: A method for forming a conformal group III/V layer on a silicon substrate and the resulting substrate with the group III/V layers formed thereon. The method includes removing the native oxide from the substrate, positioning a substrate within a processing chamber, heating the substrate to a first temperature, cooling the substrate to a second temperature, flowing a group III precursor into the processing chamber, maintaining the second temperature while flowing a group III precursor and a group V precursor into the processing chamber until a conformal layer is formed, heating the processing chamber to an annealing temperature, while stopping the flow of the group III precursor, and cooling the processing chamber to the second temperature. Deposition of the III/V layer may be made selective through the use of halide gas etching which preferentially etches dielectric regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xinyu Bao, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, David K. Carlson, Zhiyuan Ye
  • Patent number: 8373233
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate, a source region and a drain region that are co-doped to produce a strain in the channel region of a transistor. The co-doping can include having a source and drain region having silicon that includes boron and phosphorous or arsenic and gallium. The source and drain regions can include co-dopant levels of more than 1020 atom/cm3. The source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more boron than phosphorous or can be co-doped with more phosphorous than boron. Alternatively, the source region and drain region each can be co-doped with more arsenic than gallium or can be co-doped with more gallium than arsenic. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a gate on top of a substrate and over a nitrogenated oxide layer, etching a portion of the substrate and nitrogenated oxide layer to form a recessed source region and a recessed drain region, filling the recessed source region and the recessed drain region with a co-doped silicon compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhiyuan Ye
  • Publication number: 20120273052
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for gas delivery are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system includes an ampoule for storing a precursor in solid or liquid form, a first conduit coupled to the ampoule and having a first end coupled to a first gas source to draw a vapor of the precursor from the ampoule into the first conduit, a second conduit coupled to the first conduit at a first junction located downstream of the ampoule and having a first end coupled to a second gas source and a second end coupled to a process chamber, and a heat source configured to heat the ampoule and at least a first portion of the first conduit from the ampoule to the second conduit and to heat only a second portion of the second conduit, wherein the second portion of the second conduit includes the first junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: ZHIYUAN YE, YIHWAN KIM