Having Prerecorded Program Medium Patents (Class 118/697)
  • Publication number: 20130220546
    Abstract: An apparatus for formation of element(s) of an electrochemical cell using a complete process. The apparatus includes a first work piece configured to a transfer device, a source of material in fluid form, a reaction region operably coupled to the source of material and a second work piece configured within a distance of the reaction region. The apparatus also has an energy source configured to the reaction region to subject a portion of the material to energy to substantially evaporate the portion of the material within a time period and cause deposition of a gaseous species derived from the evaporated material onto a surface region of the second work piece to form a thickness of material for a component of the solid state electrochemical device and a vacuum chamber to maintain at least the first and second work pieces, the reaction region, and the material within a vacuum environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Sakti 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Sakti 3, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130200518
    Abstract: Described are apparatus and methods for forming films comprise indium and arsenic. In particular, these films may be formed in a configuration of two or more chambers under “load lock” conditions. These films may include additional components as dopants, such as aluminum and/or gallium. Such films can be used in metal/silicon contacts having low contact resistances. Also disclosed are devices including the films comprising indium arsenide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Khaled Z. Ahmed, Prabu Gopalraja, Atif Noori, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20130189435
    Abstract: A 3-D printer system moves a printed tool over a print surface with a mechanism controlling a rotational angle of an arm holding the print tool and a revolutionary angle of axis of rotation of the printable area to eliminate the disadvantages of conventionally used linear motion mechanisms
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas R. Mackie, Nathan James Patterson, Benjamin L. Cox, Nathan D. Schumacher, George Wicks Petry
  • Publication number: 20130180450
    Abstract: A single, flexible, robust and low rate capable manufacturing platform that may be associated with caseless munitions firing circuits, nano and microelectromechanical (“NEMS” and “MEMS”) devices, and/or fractal antennas is described. The platform may be designed for extensive research and development in printed electronics, 3D thermo-plastics and low melt metal casting, light machining, and other processing operations necessary for the integrated fabrication of various components, such as caseless munitions components. The platform may be used in a remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Ray Hamilton, Tracy Becker
  • Publication number: 20130183446
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a Ge—Sb—Te film, in which a substrate is disposed within a process chamber, a gaseous Ge material, a gaseous Sb material, and a Te material are introduced into the process chamber, so that a Ge—Sb—Te film formed of Ge2Sb2Te5 is formed on the substrate by CVD. The method for forming a Ge—Sb—Te film comprises: a step (step 2) wherein the gaseous Ge material and the gaseous Sb material or alternatively a small amount of the gaseous Te material not sufficient for formed of Ge2Sb2Te5 in addition to the gaseous Ge material and the gaseous Sb material are introduced into the process chamber so that a precursor film, which does not contain Te or contains Te in an amount smaller than that in Ge2Sb2Te5, is formed on the substrate; and a step (step 3) wherein the gaseous Te material is introduced into the process chamber and the precursor film is caused to adsorb Te, so that the Te concentration in the film is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yumiko Kawano, Susumu Arima
  • Publication number: 20130177697
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for implementing an enhanced optical mirror coupling and alignment mechanism utilizing two-photon resist. An initial placement is provided for one or more vias on a printed circuit board. A via is filled with a resist. A series of tightly focused light beams suitably exposes the resist at varying depths in the via, the varying depths defining a sloped polymer in the via after removing resist that had not been at the focus of the light beam. The sloped polymer is coated with reflective material to reflect light into or out of the via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Atta, Darcy Berger, John R. Dangler, Matthew S. Doyle, Jesse Hefner, Thomas W. Liang
  • Patent number: 8479683
    Abstract: A method of forming a boron nitride or boron carbon nitride dielectric produces a conformal layer without loading effect. The dielectric layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a boron-containing film on a substrate, at least a portion of the deposition being conducted without plasma, and then exposing the deposited boron-containing film to a plasma. The CVD component dominates the deposition process, producing a conformal film without loading effect. The dielectric is ashable, and can be removed with a hydrogen plasma without impacting surrounding materials. The dielectric has a much lower wet etch rate compared to other front end spacer or hard mask materials such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, and has a relatively low dielectric constant, much lower then silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George Andrew Antonelli, Mandyam Sriram, Vishwanathan Rangarajan, Pramod Subramonium
  • Publication number: 20130171428
    Abstract: An image can be formed onto a device such as a cell phone or a tablet by laser engraving the image onto a housing of the device. A coloring agent can then be applied to the engraved image to modify the color of the image. The coloring agent can darken the engraved image. The coloring agent can include multiple colors of ink (e.g., UV curing ink) that can be applied to form a multi-color image. The coloring agent can be applied without requiring the use of a masking layer, for example, by aligning the laser engraved image with a coloring agent applicator so that the coloring agent is applied to substantially only the engraved image on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Russell Brian Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130171834
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forming a film stack which may include the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of nitrogen containing precursor with silicon containing precursor, the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of silicon containing precursor from the processing chamber, the plasma accelerated deposition of a silicon oxide film atop the silicon nitride film formed from the reaction of silicon containing precursor with oxidant, and the plasma accelerated substantial elimination of oxidant from the processing chamber. Also disclosed herein are process station apparatuses for forming a film stack of silicon nitride and silicon oxide films which may include a processing chamber, one or more gas delivery lines, one or more RF generators, and a system controller having machine-readable media with instructions for operating the one or more gas delivery lines, and the one or more RF generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Haverkamp, Pramod Subramonium, Joe Womack, Dong Niu, Keith Fox, John Alexy, Patrick Breiling, Jennifer O'Loughlin, Mandyam Spiram, George Andrew Antonelli, Bart van Schravendijk
  • Publication number: 20130149461
    Abstract: A method for providing electroless plating is provided. An amorphous carbon barrier layer is formed over the low-k dielectric layer by providing a flow a deposition gas, comprising a hydrocarbon, H2, and an oxygen free diluent, forming a plasma from the deposition gas, and stopping the flow of the deposition gas. The amorphous carbon barrier layer is conditioned by providing a flow of a conditioning gas comprising H2 and a diluent, forming a plasma from the conditioning gas, which conditions a top surface of the amorphous carbon barrier layer, and stopping the flow of the conditioning gas. The amorphous carbon barrier layer is functionalized by providing a flow of a functionalizing gas comprising NH3 or H2 and N2, forming a plasma from the functionalizing gas, and stopping the flow of the functionalizing gas. An electroless process is provided to form an electrode over the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Yezdi N. DORDI, Richard P. JANEK, Dries DICTUS
  • Patent number: 8459202
    Abstract: A gas flow of a gas pipe is indicated before an electromagnetic valve is actually opened, so that the electromagnetic valve can be prevented from being opened or closed by a wrong manipulation or hazards caused by undesired mixing of gases can be avoided so as to improve safety. The substrate processing apparatus includes a state detection unit configured to detect an opening/closing request state and an opening/closing state of a valve installed at a gas pipeline; and a indication unit configured to indicate a gas flow state of the gas pipeline predicted according to the opening/closing request state and a gas flow state of the gas pipeline when the valve is opened, in a way that each state is distinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamada, Mamoru Oishi, Kanako Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20130143401
    Abstract: Disclosed methods cap exposed surfaces of copper lines with a layer of metal or metal-containing compound combined with silicon. In some cases, the metal or metal-containing compound forms an atomic layer. In certain embodiments, the methods involve exposing the copper surface first to a metal containing precursor to form an atomic layer of adsorbed precursor or metal atoms, which may optionally be converted to an oxide, nitride, carbide, or the like by, e.g., a pinning treatment. Subsequent exposure to a silicon-containing precursor may proceed with or without metallic atoms being converted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Jengyi Yu, Gengwei Jiang, Pramod Subramonium, Roey Shaviv, Hui-Jung Wu, Nagraj Shankar
  • Publication number: 20130119017
    Abstract: A reactive correction to chamber impedance changes without the need to change the process recipe is disclosed. The reactive correction may be done automatically and repeatedly during processing. A control of RF power application to a plasma processing chamber is performed, so as to minimize reflected power and efficiently apply the RF power to the plasma. Autotuning of the RF power application is enabled without modifying a qualified process recipe. The autotuning can be applied using frequency matching and RF matching network tuning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: James YANG, Stanley Liu, ZhaoHui Xi
  • Publication number: 20130122718
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a turntable including a substrate receiving area; a first reaction gas supplier for supplying a first reaction gas to a surface of the turntable having the substrate receiving area; a second reaction gas supplier, arranged away from the first reaction gas supplier along a circumferential direction of the turntable, for supplying a second reaction gas to the surface; a separation area located along the circumferential direction between a first process area of the first reaction gas and a second process area of the second reaction gas; a separation gas supplier for supplying a first separation gas to both sides of the separation area; a first heating unit for heating the first separation gas to the separation gas supplier; an evacuation opening for evacuating the gases supplied to the turntable; and a driver for rotating the turntable in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tokyo Electron Limited
  • Patent number: 8440020
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously producing flexible semiconductor devices through deposition of a plurality of semiconductor layers onto a moving flexible substrate by using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processing, where at least two successive layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto the substrate traveling in opposite directions. Computer program product directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer comprising software code portions for determining and controlling all the necessary parameters for the production of flexible semi-conductor devices in a such apparatus when said computer program product is run on a computer. Roll-to-roll method for producing flexible semiconductor devices, wherein a plurality of semiconductor layers are deposited in the same deposition chamber onto a flexible substrate moving in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: VHF Technologies SA
    Inventors: Diego Fischer, Pedro Torres
  • Publication number: 20130112558
    Abstract: The invention is directed to enzyme immobilization compositions comprising: one or more enzymes, a humectant, an acrylic-based monomer, a water-soluble organic photo-initiator and a water-soluble acrylic-based cross-linker in a substantially homogeneous aqueous mixture. The invention is also directed to methods for forming sensors comprising such compositions and to apparati for forming arrays of immobilized layers on an array of sensors by dispensing such compositions onto a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventor: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
  • Patent number: 8430059
    Abstract: An apparatus for precision pen height control which includes a dispensing member, a fluid dispensing system, a vertical position sensing system, and a vertical position controller. The fluid dispensing system is in fluid communication with an opening in the dispensing member via a tubular member. A vertical position sensing system, which includes a diffraction grating and a sensor, is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor is positioned adjacent the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is engaged to a vertical support, which is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor produces a vertical position signal based upon the position of the vertical support. The vertical position controller is engaged to the vertical position sensing system, and receives a control signal generated from the vertical position signal. The vertical position controller produces and applies vertical forces to the vertical support in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mickley, Frank Genovese, James Feng, Leonard B. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20130084693
    Abstract: A thin film forming method which forms a seed film and an impurity-containing silicon film on a surface of an object to be processed in a processing container configured to be vacuum exhaustible includes: performing a first step which forms the seed film by supplying a seed film raw material gas including at least any one of an aminosilane-based gas and a higher silane into the processing container; and performing a second step which forms the impurity-containing silicon film in an amorphous state by supplying a silane-based gas and an impurity-containing gas into the processing container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Akinobu KAKIMOTO, Atsushi ENDO, Takahiro MIYAHARA, Shigeru NAKAJIMA, Satoshi TAKAGI, Kazumasa IGARASHI
  • Publication number: 20130082274
    Abstract: A method for forming a light emitting device comprises forming a buffer layer having a plurality of layers comprising a substrate, an aluminum gallium nitride layer adjacent to the substrate, and a gallium nitride layer adjacent to the aluminum gallium nitride layer. During the formation of each of the plurality of layers, one or more process parameters are selected such that an individual layer of the plurality of layers is strained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Long Yang, Will Fenwick
  • Publication number: 20130074769
    Abstract: A method for depositing a conformal film on a substrate in a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing system, the substrate being disposed on a chuck, the chuck being coupled to a cooling apparatus, is disclosed. The method includes flowing a first gas mixture into the plasma processing chamber at a first pressure, wherein the first gas mixture includes at least carbon, and wherein the first gas mixture has a condensation temperature. The method also includes cooling the chuck below the condensation temperature using the cooling apparatus thereby allowing at least some of the first gas mixture to condense on a surface of the substrate. The method further includes venting the first gas mixture from the processing chamber; flowing a second gas mixture into the plasma processing chamber, the second gas mixture being different in composition from the first gas mixture; and striking a plasma to form the conformal film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lam Research Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130078743
    Abstract: A layer is deposited onto a semiconductor wafer by CVD in a process chamber having upper and lower covers, wherein the wafer front side temperature is measured; the wafer is heated to deposition temperature; the temperature of the upper process chamber cover is controlled to a target temperature by measuring the temperature of the center of the outer surface of the upper cover as the value of a controlled variable of an upper cover temperature control loop; a gas flow rate of process gas for depositing the layer is set; and a layer is deposited on the heated wafer front side during control of the upper cover temperature to the target temperature. A process chamber suitable therefor has a sensor for measuring the upper cover outer surface center temperature and a controller for controlling this temperature to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SILTRONIC AG
    Inventor: Georg Brenninger
  • Publication number: 20130078789
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber accommodating a substrate including a thin film formed at a film-forming temperature; a gas supply unit for supplying a process gas including oxygen and/or nitrogen onto the substrate; an excitation unit for exciting the process gas supplied into the process chamber; a heating unit for heating the substrate; an exhaust unit for exhausting an inside of the process chamber; and a control unit for controlling the gas supply unit, the excitation unit, the heating unit and the exhaust unit such that a temperature of the substrate is equal to or lower than the film-forming temperature when the substrate is processed by heating the substrate by the heating unit, exciting the process gas supplied from the gas supply unit by the excitation unit, and supplying the process gas excited by the excitation unit onto a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventor: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
  • Patent number: 8401791
    Abstract: A marking system may hold a container from which markers are dispensed to mark the presence or absence of an underground facility in a dig area. The container may identify a marker characteristic regarding the markers in the container. The marking system may receive activation of a trigger, dispense a marker from the container when the trigger is activated, and store the marker characteristic and time data when the trigger is activated. In other embodiments, the marking system may dispense a marker, determine location data and/or time data, and substantially simultaneously trigger the dispensing of the marker and logging of the location data and/or the time data. The location data identifies a geographic location where the marker is dispensed and the time data identifies the time when the marker is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Certusview Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr, Mark A. Conner, Rene A. Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20130059415
    Abstract: A film deposition apparatus includes a turntable having a substrate mounting area, a first plasma gas supplying part, a second plasma supplying part, a first plasma gas generating part to convert the first plasma generating gas to first plasma, and a second plasma generating part provided away from the first plasma generating part in a circumferential direction and to convert the second plasma generating gas to second plasma. The first plasma generating part includes an antenna facing the turntable so as to convert the first plasma generating gas to the first plasma, and a grounded Faraday shield between the antenna and an area where a plasma process is performed, and to include plural slits respectively extending in directions perpendicular to the antenna and arranged along an antenna extending direction to prevent an electric field from passing toward the substrate and to pass a magnetic field toward the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Katsuyuki HISHIYA, Shigehiro USHIKUBO
  • Publication number: 20130048609
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid processing apparatus and a liquid processing method. The liquid processing apparatus includes an ejection port ejecting a first liquid to a wafer, a first liquid supply mechanism supplying sulphuric acid to the ejection port, and a second liquid supply mechanism supplying hydrogen peroxide solution to the ejection port. The first liquid supply mechanism includes a first temperature adjustment mechanism maintaining the first liquid heated to a first temperature, a second temperature adjustment mechanism connected to the first temperature adjustment mechanism, and an ejection line connecting the second temperature adjustment mechanism with the ejection port. The second temperature adjustment mechanism includes a second circulation line and a second heater. The ejection line connects the second circulation line through a switching valve at a location further downstream than the second heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Norihiro Ito, Takashi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20130045339
    Abstract: Techniques for diamond nucleation control for thin film processing are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for generating a plasma having a plurality of ions; depositing a plurality of diamond nucleation centers on a substrate with the ions in the plasma using an extraction plate having at least one gap, wherein the plasma ions pass through the at least one gap in the extraction plate to generate a focused ion beam to deposit the plurality of diamond nucleation centers; and controlling the growth of a continuous diamond film from the diamond nucleation centers on the substrate by controlling at least one of a temperature around the substrate, a temperature of the plasma, a pressure around the substrate, and a concentration of the ions in the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Ludovic Godet, Xianfeng Lu, Anthony Renau
  • Publication number: 20130040447
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of doping a patterned substrate in a reaction chamber. The methods may include forming a first conformal film layer which has a dopant source including a dopant, and driving some of the dopant into the substrate to form a conformal doping profile. In some embodiments, forming the first film layer may include introducing a dopant precursor into the reaction chamber, adsorbing the dopant precursor under conditions whereby it forms an adsorption-limited layer, and reacting the adsorbed dopant precursor to form the dopant source. Also disclosed herein are apparatuses for doping a substrate which may include a reaction chamber, a gas inlet, and a controller having machine readable code including instructions for operating the gas inlet to introduce dopant precursor into the reaction chamber so that it is adsorbed, and instructions for reacting the adsorbed dopant precursor to form a film layer containing a dopant source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Shankar Swaminathan, Mandyam Sriram, Bart van Schravendijk, Pramod Subramonium, Adrien La Voie
  • Publication number: 20130029480
    Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional structure in semiconductor material includes providing a substrate (20) is provided having at least a surface including semiconductor material. Selected areas of the surface of the substrate are exposed to a focussed ion beam whereby the ions are implanted in the semiconductor material in the selected areas. Several layers of a material selected from the group consisting of mono-crystalline, poly-crystalline or amorphous semiconductor material, are deposited on the substrate surface and between depositions focussed ion beam is used to expose the surface so as to define a three-dimensional structure. Material not part of the final structure (30) defined by the focussed ion beam is etched away so as to provide a three-dimensional structure on the substrate (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Niklaus, Andreas Fischer
  • Publication number: 20130025537
    Abstract: A processing condition inspection method of a damage recovery process for reforming a film having OH groups generated by damages from a predetermined process by using a processing gas includes preparing a substrate having an OH group containing resin film, measuring an initial film thickness of the OH group containing resin film, performing a damage recovery process on the substrate after measuring the initial film thickness, measuring a film thickness of the OH group containing resin film after the damage recovery process, calculating a film thickness difference of the OH group containing resin film before and after the damage recovery process, and determining whether processing conditions of the damage recovery process are appropriate or inappropriate based on the film thickness difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Reiko SASAHARA, Jun Tamura, Shigeru Tahara
  • Patent number: 8360001
    Abstract: Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize chemical precursors that allow for the deposition of thin films to be conducted at or near the mass transport limited regime. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, a higher order silane is employed to deposit thin films containing silicon that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Todd, Mark Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20130017315
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling power distribution in a substrate processing system are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system including a process chamber having a substrate support and a processing region disposed above the substrate support; a first conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a first toroidal path that extends through the first conduit and across the processing region; a second conduit disposed above the processing region to provide a portion of a second toroidal path that extends through the second conduit and across the processing region; an RF generator coupled to the first and second conduits to provide RF energy having a first frequency to each of the first and second conduits; an impedance matching network disposed between the RF generator and the first and second conduits; and a power divider to control the amount of RF energy provided to the first and second conduits from the RF generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: CANFENG LAI, DAVID EUGENE ABERLE, MICHAEL P. CAMP, HENRY BARANDICA, MARTIN A. HILKENE, MATTHEW D. SCOTNEY-CASTLE, JEFFREY TOBIN, DOUGLAS H. BURNS, LARA HAWRYLCHAK
  • Publication number: 20130008378
    Abstract: A method of forming a boron nitride or boron carbon nitride dielectric produces a conformal layer without loading effect. The dielectric layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a boron-containing film on a substrate, at least a portion of the deposition being conducted without plasma, and then exposing the deposited boron-containing film to a plasma. The CVD component dominates the deposition process, producing a conformal film without loading effect. The dielectric is ashable, and can be removed with a hydrogen plasma without impacting surrounding materials. The dielectric has a much lower wet etch rate compared to other front end spacer or hard mask materials such as silicon oxide or silicon nitride, and has a relatively low dielectric constant, much lower then silicon nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: George Andrew Antonelli, Mandyam Sriram, Vishwanathan Rangarajan, Pramod Subramonium
  • Publication number: 20120329286
    Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: accommodating a substrate in a processing chamber; and supplying a silicon-based gas and an amine-based gas into the processing chamber that is heated to form a film including silicon and carbon on the substrate. The forming of the film including silicon and carbon includes: supplying the silicon-based gas and the amine-based gas into the processing chamber and confining the silicon-based gas and the amine-based gas in the processing chamber; maintaining a state in which the silicon-based gas and the amine-based gas are confined in the processing chamber, and exhausting an inside of the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi TAKEDA, Taketoshi SATO
  • Patent number: 8336487
    Abstract: The invention includes inserting an object to be processed into a processing vessel, which can be maintained vacuum, and making the processing vessel vacuum; performing a sequence of forming a ZrO2 film on a substrate by alternately supplying zirconium source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for a plurality of times and a sequence of forming SiO2 film on the substrate by alternately supplying silicon source and an oxidizer into the processing vessel for one or more times, wherein the number of times of performing each of the sequences is adjusted such that Si concentration of the films is from about 1 atm % to about 4 atm %; and forming a zirconia-based film having a predetermined thickness by performing the film forming sequences for one or more cycles, wherein one cycle indicates that each of the ZrO2 film forming sequences and the SiO2 film forming sequences are repeated for the adjusted number of times of performances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ishida, Katsushige Harada, Takuya Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20120318456
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for regulating ion energies in a plasma chamber and chucking a substrate to a substrate support are disclosed. An exemplary method includes placing a substrate in a plasma chamber, forming a plasma in the plasma chamber, controllably switching power to the substrate so as to apply a periodic voltage function (or a modified periodic voltage function) to the substrate, and modulating, over multiple cycles of the periodic voltage function, the periodic voltage function responsive to a defined distribution of energies of ions at the surface of the substrate so as to effectuate the defined distribution of ion energies on a time-averaged basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Victor Brouk, Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter
  • Patent number: 8317921
    Abstract: A single-wafer, chemical vapor deposition reactor is provided with hydrogen and silicon source gas suitable for epitaxial silicon deposition, as well as a safe mixture of oxygen in a non-reactive gas. Methods are provided for forming oxide and silicon layers within the same chamber. In particular, a sacrificial oxidation is performed, followed by a hydrogen bake to sublime the oxide and leave a clean substrate. Epitaxial deposition can follow in situ. A protective oxide can also be formed over the epitaxial layer within the same chamber, preventing contamination of the critical epitaxial layer. Alternatively, the oxide layer can serve as the gate dielectric, and a polysilicon gate layer can be formed in situ over the oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand Ferro, Ivo Raaijmakers, Derrick Foster
  • Patent number: 8317923
    Abstract: Protective self aligned buffer (PSAB) layers are layers of material that are selectively formed at the surface of metal layers in a partially fabricated semiconductor device. In a Damascene interconnect, PSAB layer typically resides at an interface between the metal layer and a dielectric diffusion barrier layer. PSAB layers promote improved adhesion between a metal layer and an adjacent dielectric diffusion barrier layer. Further, PSAB layers can protect metal surfaces from inadvertent oxidation during fabrication process. A PSAB layer may be formed entirely within the top portion of a metal layer, by, for example, chemically converting metal surface to a thin layer of metal silicide. Thickness of PSAB layers, and, consequently resistance of interconnects can be controlled by partially passivating metal surface prior to formation of PSAB layer. Such passivation can be accomplished by controllably treating metal surface with a nitrogen-containing compound to convert metal to metal nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaushik Chattopadhyay, Bart van Schravendijk, Yongsik Yu, Mandyam Sriram
  • Publication number: 20120288973
    Abstract: Disclosed are a dispensing method and a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a coating material over an object to be applied by a dispensing device within a dispensing chamber including a top plate, a bottom plate and side plates, in which a fresh air inlet and an exhaust outlet are formed in an upper portion and a lower portion of the dispensing chamber, respectively; at least a discharge hole of the dispensing device is exposed to within the upper portion of the dispensing chamber; an object mounting unit is set to be exposed to within the dispensing chamber from the side of the bottom plate. At least one of the dispensing device and an object mounting unit are movable linearly, and at least one of the dispensing device and an object mounting unit is moved by a driving mechanism disposed outside the dispensing chamber, thereby positioning the dispensing device with respect to the object to be applied and dispensing the coating material over the object with a dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Mtek-smart Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20120282418
    Abstract: A method for forming an SiCN film on target substrates placed in a process field inside a process container repeats a unit cycle a plurality of times to laminate thin films respectively formed, thereby forming the SiCN film with a predetermined thickness. The unit cycle includes performing and suspending supply of a silicon source gas, a nitriding gas, and a carbon hydride gas respectively from first, second, and third gas distribution nozzles to the process field. The unit cycle does not turn any one of the gases into plasma but heats the process field to a set temperature of 300 to 700° C. with the supply of the carbon hydride gas performed for a time period in total longer than that of the supply of the silicon source gas, so as to provide the SiCN film with a carbon concentration of 15.2% to 28.5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Pao-Hwa CHOU, Kazuhide Hasebe
  • Publication number: 20120269968
    Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus, including: a chamber with an internal volume; a fixture assembly to hold a substrate within the internal volume of the chamber; a plurality of gas injection ports to facilitate the introduction of gas; at least one precursor gas arrangement to introduce precursor gas into the internal volume; and at least one inactive gas dispersion arrangement to introduce inactive gas into the internal volume. The inactive gas dispersion arrangement is in the form of a primary dispersion member configured to concentrically focus the precursor gas towards a surface of the substrate. A modeling system for an atomic layer deposition apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Kurt J. Lesker Company
    Inventor: Gilbert Bruce Rayner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120263888
    Abstract: A method is provided for using a film formation apparatus including a process container having an inner surface, which contains as a main component a material selected from the group consisting of quartz and silicon carbide. The method includes performing a film formation process to form a silicon nitride film on a product target substrate inside the process container, and then, unloading the product target substrate from the process container. Thereafter, the method includes supplying an oxidizing gas into the process container with no product target substrate accommodated therein, thereby performing an oxidation process to change by-product films deposited on the inner surface of the process container into a composition richer in oxygen than nitrogen, at a part of the by-product films from a surface thereof to a predetermined depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki MATSUURA
  • Publication number: 20120264290
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for depositing copper and other metals are provided. In some implementations, a wafer substrate is provided to an apparatus. The wafer substrate has a surface with field regions and a feature. A copper layer is plated onto the surface of the wafer substrate. The copper layer is annealed to redistribute copper from regions of the wafer substrate to the feature. Implementations of the disclosed methods, apparatus, and systems allow for void-free bottom-up fill of features in a wafer substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan D. REID, Huanfeng ZHU
  • Publication number: 20120258570
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a mounting stand, a cover opening and closing unit, a substrate checking unit, a substrate transfer mechanism, a substrate processing unit, and a controller. While the substrate processing unit is processing a substrate within a first substrate accommodation container mounted on the mounting stand, when a second substrate accommodation container is mounted on the mounting stand, the controller provides control to open the cover of a second substrate accommodation container and check a substrate within the second substrate accommodation container by means of the substrate checking unit, and when the substrate checking is terminated, the controller provides control to close the cover of the second substrate accommodation container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventor: Makoto Shirakawa
  • Publication number: 20120258252
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20120259448
    Abstract: A method and system used to regulate and control adhesive application on a substrate. The system includes a control unit operable to control pressure in the conduit system in response to the signals received from a mass flow meter. The control unit is further operable to regulate consistent and even application of adhesive to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Gary Rzonca, Erin Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120244646
    Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor thin film on a substrate; processing the thin film to a predetermined shape; executing an ion implantation process on the thin film processed to the predetermined shape; executing an anneal treatment on the thin film on which the ion implantation process has been executed to create a resistor element; and adjusting both or any one of a process condition of the ion implantation process and a treatment condition of the anneal treatment based on at least any one of a film forming condition and a film formation result of the forming and a film process result of the processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takashi KYUHO
  • Publication number: 20120244721
    Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric film including a zirconium oxide film includes: forming a zirconium oxide film on a substrate to be processed by supplying a zirconium material and an oxidant, the zirconium material including a Zr compound which includes a cyclopentadienyl ring in a structure, and forming a titanium oxide film on the zirconium oxide film by supplying a titanium material and an oxidant, the titanium material including a Ti compound which includes a cyclopentadienyl ring in a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicants: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, ELPIDA MEMORY INC.
    Inventors: Yuichiro MOROZUMI, Takuya SUGAWARA, Koji AKIYAMA, Shingo HISHIYA, Toshiyuki HIROTA, Takakazu KIYOMURA
  • Publication number: 20120234230
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for low temperature, rapid baking to remove impurities from a semiconductor surface prior to in-situ deposition. The system is configured with an upper bank of heat elements perpendicular to the gas flow path, such that when the substrate is heated, the temperature across the substrate can be maintained relatively uniform via zoned heating. Advantageously, a short, low temperature process is suitable for advanced, high density circuits with shallow junctions. Furthermore, throughput is greatly improved by the low temperature bake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ASM America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Halpin, Paul T. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20120234459
    Abstract: An adhesive application valve comprising an applicator, a Z-axis actuator operably connected to the applicator, wherein the Z-axis actuator and the rotation device are each capable of moving independently of each other to position the applicator in a position to apply an amount of adhesive to a top substrate prior to bonding with a bottom substrate is provided. Furthermore, a machine comprising an end effector, and an adhesive application valve configured to apply an amount of adhesive onto the top substrate, the end effector configured to place the top substrate into a position of engagement with the adhesive application valve, and place the top substrate onto the bottom substrate to facilitate initial contact between the adhesive applied to the top substrate and a fill material applied to the bottom substrate is also provided. A method of optical bonding is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: PRECISION VALVE & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Nally, Jonathan Neal Urquhart, Jeffrey James VanNorden, William Edward Berkheiser, III
  • Publication number: 20120236067
    Abstract: A droplet-discharging-head manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a droplet discharging head that includes a piezoelectric element formed by a laminated body of ferroelectric layers includes: a film forming unit that forms a ferroelectric precursor film on a silicon wafer having a conductive layer; a heating layer that heats and bakes the ferroelectric precursor layer to form the ferroelectric layer; a cooling unit that cools the ferroelectric layer; a conveying unit that conveys the silicon wafers one by one; and a control unit that controls the film forming unit, the heating unit, the cooling unit, and the conveying unit so as to repeat a series of processes including formation of the ferroelectric precursor layers by the film forming unit, heating of the ferroelectric precursor layers by the heating unit, and cooling of the ferroelectric layers by the cooling unit, for a predetermined number of times for each of the silicon wafers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukitoshi TAJIMA, Keiji Ueda