With Plasma Generation Means Remote From Processing Chamber Patents (Class 156/345.35)
-
Patent number: 12249490Abstract: A component of a plasma processing chamber having at least one plasma facing surface of the component comprises single crystal metal oxide material. The component can be machined from a single crystal metal oxide ingot. Suitable single crystal metal oxides include spinel, yttrium oxide, and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG). A single crystal metal oxide can be machined to form a gas injector of a plasma processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Lin Xu, Douglas Detert, John Daugherty, Pankaj Hazarika, Satish Srinivasan, Nash W. Anderson, John Michael Kerns, Robin Koshy, David Joseph Wetzel, Lei Liu, Eric A. Pape
-
Patent number: 12198952Abstract: Embodiments of this application discloses a substrate processing apparatus comprising: a vacuum transfer module having a vacuum transfer space and an opening; a wall unit attached to the opening and including a first gate valve and a second gate valve; a substrate processing module attached to the wall unit and having a substrate processing space communicating with the vacuum transfer space via the first gate valve; and a ring stocker attached to the wall unit and having a storage space for storing at least one annular member used in a plasma processing module. Moreover, the apparatus further includes a transfer mechanism disposed in the vacuum transfer space and transfers a substrate between the vacuum transfer space and the substrate processing space through the first gate valve and also transfers at least one annular member between the vacuum transfer space and the storage space via the second gate valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2022Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Masahiro Dogome, Masatomo Kita
-
Patent number: 12165849Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus comprising: a chamber; a substrate support disposed in the chamber and including a lower electrode, a substrate supporting surface for supporting a substrate, and an edge ring disposed to surround the substrate placed on the substrate supporting surface; an upper electrode disposed above the lower electrode; a power supply portion configured to supply two or more powers having different frequencies, the power supply portion including a source power supply configured to supply a source power for generating plasma from a gas in the chamber to the upper electrode or the lower electrode, and at least one bias power supply configured to supply one bias power or two or more bias powers having different frequencies to the lower electrode; at least one variable passive component electrically connected to the edge ring; and at least one bypass circuit that electrically connects the power supply portion and the edge ring and is configured to supply a part of at least one power selected froType: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Natsumi Torii
-
Patent number: 12136541Abstract: There is provided a wiring abnormality detection method in a plasma processing apparatus. The detection method comprises: applying a DC voltage from a DC power supply; measuring a current flowing in a circuit constituting a DC power supply system; comparing a measured current with a predetermined threshold value; and determining that wiring abnormality has occurred in the circuit constituting the DC power supply system when the measured current is greater than or equal to the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Natsumi Torii
-
Patent number: 12087549Abstract: A RF power generator has a RF power source configured to generate an output signal. A power splitter is configured to receive the output signal and generate a plurality of split signals. A demagnetizing circuit is configured to receive the plurality of split signals. The demagnetizing circuit is configured to include a plurality of inductances corresponding to the plurality of split signals. The plurality of inductances is configured to reduce the effects of mutual impedance of an ICP chamber in series with the plurality of inductances so that a ratio between a pair of the plurality of split signals varies substantially linearly as one of the pair of the plurality of split signals is varied.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Dinh-Vuong Le, Jaechul Jung, Hohyoung Lee, Jeongseok Jang, Ngoc-Hung Nguyen
-
Patent number: 11915951Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a stage disposed in a processing chamber for mounting a wafer, a plasma generation chamber disposed above the processing chamber for plasma generation using process gas, a plate member having multiple introduction holes, made of a dielectric material, disposed above the stage and between the processing chamber and the plasma generation chamber, and a lamp disposed around the plate member for heating the wafer. The plasma processing apparatus further includes an external IR light source, an emission fiber arranged in the stage, that outputs IR light from the external IR light source toward a wafer bottom, and a light collection fiber for collecting IR light from the wafer. Data obtained using only IR light from the lamp is subtracted from data obtained also using IR light from the external IR light source during heating of the wafer. Thus, a wafer temperature is determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Nobuya Miyoshi, Kazunori Shinoda, Tatehito Usui, Naoyuki Kofuji, Yutaka Kouzuma, Tomoyuki Watanabe, Kenetsu Yokogawa, Satoshi Sakai, Masaru Izawa
-
Patent number: 11742221Abstract: A dry cleaning apparatus includes a chamber, a substrate support supporting a substrate within the chamber, a shower head arranged in an upper portion of the chamber to supply a dry cleaning gas toward the substrate, the shower head including an optical window transmitting a laser light therethrough toward the substrate support, a plasma generator generating plasma from the dry cleaning gas, and a laser irradiator irradiating the laser light on the substrate through the optical window and the plasma to heat the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seung-Min Shin, Seok-Hoon Kim, Young-Hoo Kim, In-Gi Kim, Tae-Hong Kim, Sung-Hyun Park, Jin-Woo Lee, Ji-Hoon Cha, Yong-Jun Choi
-
Patent number: 11515119Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma processing device including a vacuum container that has controllable internal pressure, gas supply means, an electrode that is provided in the vacuum container and has an upper surface on which a substrate is placed, and an antenna that is arranged to face the electrode to form inductive coupling, in which the antenna that is configured to form the inductive coupling includes one end connected to a high-frequency power source via a matching circuit, and the other end that is an open end, a length of the antenna is less than ½? of a wavelength (?) of an RF frequency, an impedance adjustment circuit connected in parallel to the antenna is connected to an RF feeding side of the antenna, and a reactance component of a combined impedance by the impedance adjustment circuit is adjustable from a capacitive load to an inductive load with respect to the RF frequency supplied to the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Y.A.C. TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Hirofumi Kaneko, Takeshi Noguchi, Tatsuya Sato
-
Patent number: 11508572Abstract: A method includes forming a dummy gate structure over a wafer. Gate spacers are formed on either side of the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is removed to form a gate trench between the gate spacers. A gate dielectric layer is formed in the gate trench. A gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer. Forming the gate dielectric layer includes applying a first bias to the wafer. With the first bias turned on, first precursors are fed to the wafer. The first bias is turned off. After turning off the first bias, second precursors are fed to the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Chun-Yi Chou, Po-Hsien Cheng, Tse-An Chen, Miin-Jang Chen
-
Patent number: 11302698Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor on a semiconductor substrate including a first area and a second area, and having a gate structure and an impurity area, a first interlayer insulating film covering the transistor, and having a contact plug electrically connected to the impurity area, a capacitor including a lower electrode on the first interlayer insulating film in the second area and electrically connected to the contact plug, a dielectric film coating a surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode on the dielectric film, and a support layer in contact with an upper side surface of the lower electrode to support the lower electrode, and extending to the first area, in which the support layer has a step between the first area and the second area.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoonyoung Choi, Sungsoo Yim, Byeongmoo Kang, Seongmo Koo, Sejin Park, Jinwoo Bae
-
Patent number: 10861676Abstract: Exemplary methods for etching a variety of metal-containing materials may include flowing an oxygen-containing precursor into a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate positioned within the semiconductor processing chamber may include a trench formed between two vertical columns and a metal-containing material arranged within a plurality of recesses defined by the two vertical columns. The plurality of recesses may include a first recess and a second recess adjacent to the first recess. The metal-containing material arranged within the first recess and the metal-containing material arranged within the second recess may be connected by the metal-containing material lining a portion of sidewalls of the trench. The methods may further include oxidizing the metal-containing material with the oxygen-containing precursor. The methods may also include flowing a halide precursor into the semiconductor processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Zhenjiang Cui, Nitin Ingle, Feiyue Ma, Hanshen Zhang, Siliang Chang, Daniella Holm
-
Patent number: 10854426Abstract: Exemplary methods for laterally etching tungsten may include flowing an oxygen-containing precursor into a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate positioned within the semiconductor processing chamber may include a trench formed between two vertical columns and tungsten slabs arranged within a plurality of recesses defined by at least one of the two vertical columns. At least two of the tungsten slabs may be connected by tungsten lining a portion of sidewalls of the trench. The methods may further include oxidizing the tungsten connecting the at least two of the tungsten slabs with the oxygen-containing precursor. The methods may include flowing a halide precursor into the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may also include laterally etching the oxidized tungsten from the sidewalls of the trench.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Zhenjiang Cui, Nitin Ingle, Feiyue Ma, Hanshen Zhang, Siliang Chang, Daniella Holm
-
Patent number: 10755941Abstract: Exemplary etching methods may include flowing a hydrogen-containing precursor into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a fluorine-containing precursor into the substrate processing region. The methods may include contacting a substrate housed in the substrate processing region with the hydrogen-containing precursor and the fluorine-containing precursor. The substrate may define a trench, and a layer of an oxygen-containing material may be disposed within the trench and exposed on the substrate. The methods may include halting delivery of the hydrogen-containing precursor. The methods may also include removing the oxygen-containing material.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Zhijun Chen, Chia-Ling Kao, Anchuan Wang, Nitin Ingle
-
Patent number: 10668512Abstract: A particle removal method is provided for removing particles on a film etched using a fluorine-containing gas. In the method, a mixed gas of an activated oxygen-containing gas and hydrogen gas added to the activated oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the etched film.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Jun Sato, Masato Yonezawa, Takashi Chiba
-
Patent number: 10388557Abstract: Provided is a holding stage structure which holds a substrate and disposed in a process chamber that is vacuum-evacuatable and allows a predetermined process to be performed on the substrate therein. The holding stage structure includes: a holding stage body on which the substrate is placed; an elevation pin mechanism lowering the substrate on the holding stage body or raising the substrate from the holding stage body; and a stepped portion formed on the holding stage body so that a peripheral portion of a rear surface of the substrate placed on the holding stage body is exposed to a processing gas supplied into the process chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Kohei Kawamura, Yasuo Kobayashi, Toshihisa Nozawa, Kiyotaka Ishibashi
-
Patent number: 10232413Abstract: A fluid is directed toward a surface of an optical element based on a first flow pattern, the surface of the optical element including debris and the fluid directed based on the first flow pattern moving at least some of the debris to a first stagnation region at the surface of the optical element; and the fluid is directed toward the optical element based on a second flow pattern, the fluid directed based on the second flow pattern moving at least some of the debris to a second stagnation region on the surface of the optical element, the second stagnation region and the first stagnation region being different locations at the surface of the optical element. Directing the fluid toward the surface of the optical element based on the second flow pattern removes at least some of the debris from the first stagnation region.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Silvia De Dea, Chunguang Xia, Gregory James Wilson, Brandon Wilson Verhoff
-
Patent number: 10134605Abstract: The embodiments herein generally deal with semiconductor processing methods and apparatus. More specifically, the embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for etching a semiconductor substrate. A partially fabricated semiconductor substrate is provided in a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is divided into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber by a grid assembly. Plasma is generated in the upper sub-chamber, and the substrate is positioned in the lower sub-chamber. The grid assembly includes at least two grids, each of which is negatively biased, and each of which includes perforations which allow certain species to pass through. The uppermost grid is negatively biased in order to repel electrons. The lowermost grid is biased further negative (compared to the uppermost grid) in order to accelerate positive ions from the upper to the lower sub-chamber. Etching gas is supplied directly to the lower sub-chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventor: Joydeep Guha
-
Patent number: 9967965Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William Entley
-
Patent number: 9896326Abstract: A method of reducing line bending and surface roughness of a substrate with pillars includes forming a treated surface by treating a pillar-containing substrate with a radical. The radical may be silicon-based, nitrogen-based or oxygen-based. The method may include forming a dielectric film over the treated surface by reacting an organosilicon precursor and an oxygen precursor. The method may include curing the dielectric film at a temperature of about 150° C. or less. A method of reducing line bending and surface roughness of a substrate with pillars includes forming a dielectric film over a pillar-containing substrate by reacting an organosilicon precursor, an oxygen precursor, and a radical precursor. The method may include curing the dielectric film at a temperature of about 150° C. or less. The radical precursor may be selected from the group consisting of nitrogen-based radical precursor, oxygen-based radical precursor, and silicon-based radical precursor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jingmei Liang, Kiran V. Thadani, Jessica S. Kachian, Nagarajan Rajagopalan
-
Patent number: 9786472Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus performs plasma processing on a substrate held by a carrier. The carrier includes a frame disposed around the substrate and a holding sheet which holds the substrate and the frame. The plasma processing apparatus includes: a chamber; a stage which is disposed within the chamber and has an upper surface on which the carrier is mounted; a gas hole which is provided at a position of the upper surface opposing a bottom surface of the frame and through which cooling gas is supplied between the stage and the carrier; and a plasma exciting unit which generates plasma within the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsuhiro Iwai, Shogo Okita, Syouzou Watanabe
-
Patent number: 9560730Abstract: Free radicals that combine with debris that is created by converting a target mixture to plasma that emits EUV light are received at a first opening defined by a first end of a conduit, the conduit including a material that passes the free radicals and the conduit including a sidewall that extends away from the first opening and defines at least one other opening, the at least one other positioned to release the free radicals toward an element that accumulates the debris on a surface. The free radicals in the conduit are directed toward the at least one other opening. The free radicals are passed through the at least one other opening and to the surface of the element to remove the debris from the surface of the element without removing the element from the EUV light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Silvia De Dea, Alexander I. Ershov, Brandon Verhoff, Gregory Wilson, Bruno M. La Fontaine
-
Patent number: 9466519Abstract: A de-chuck control method is provided for de-chucking a workpiece from an electrostatic chuck, which includes a chuck electrode and electrostatically attracts the workpiece. The de-chuck control method includes acquiring a time-integration value of a current by measuring the current flowing from the chuck electrode for a predetermined time period after a plasma process is ended and a voltage applied to the chuck electrode is turned off; calculating a difference between the time-integration value of the current and an electric charge charged to the chuck electrode during the plasma process; calculating a counter voltage according to a residual charge of the electrostatic chuck based on the difference and a predetermined correlation between the time-integration value of the current and a torque acting on a support pin for supporting the workpiece; and applying the counter voltage to the chuck electrode while introducing gas into a processing chamber and generating plasma.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Atsushi Kawabata
-
Patent number: 9359686Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James A. Curran, William A. Counts, Eric W. Hamann
-
Patent number: 9343269Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus has a long chamber having an opening portion, a gas supply apparatus that supplies gas into the chamber, a spiral coil having a long shape in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the chamber, a high-frequency electric power supply connected to the spiral coil, a base material mounting table which is disposed opposite to the opening portion and holds a base material and a moving mechanism which is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the chamber and the longitudinal direction of the opening portion, and enables the chamber and the base material mounting table to relatively move perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction of the opening portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Okumura, Hiroshi Kawaura
-
Patent number: 9150418Abstract: A method for forming graphene includes providing a substrate and subjecting the substrate to a reduced pressure environment. The method also includes providing a carrier gas and a carbon source and exposing at least a portion of the substrate to the carrier gas and the carbon source. The method further includes performing a surface treatment process on the at least a portion of the substrate and converting a portion of the carbon source to graphene disposed on the at least a portion of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventor: David A. Boyd
-
Patent number: 9147581Abstract: The embodiments herein generally deal with semiconductor processing methods and apparatus. More specifically, the embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for etching a semiconductor substrate. A partially fabricated semiconductor substrate is provided in a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is divided into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber by a grid assembly. Plasma is generated in the upper sub-chamber, and the substrate is positioned in the lower sub-chamber. The grid assembly includes at least two grids, each of which is negatively biased, and each of which includes perforations which allow certain species to pass through. The uppermost grid is negatively biased in order to repel electrons. The lowermost grid is biased further negative (compared to the uppermost grid) in order to accelerate positive ions from the upper to the lower sub-chamber. Etching gas is supplied directly to the lower sub-chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventor: Joydeep Guha
-
Patent number: 9064815Abstract: A method of selectively etching a metal-containing film from a substrate comprising a metal-containing layer and a silicon oxide layer includes flowing a fluorine-containing gas into a plasma generation region of a substrate processing chamber, and applying energy to the fluorine-containing gas to generate a plasma in the plasma generation region. The plasma comprises fluorine radicals and fluorine ions. The method also includes filtering the plasma to provide a reactive gas having a higher concentration of fluorine radicals than fluorine ions, and flowing the reactive gas into a gas reaction region of the substrate processing chamber. The method also includes exposing the substrate to the reactive gas in the gas reaction region of the substrate processing chamber. The reactive gas etches the metal-containing layer at a higher etch rate than the reactive gas etches the silicon oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jingchun Zhang, Anchuan Wang, Nitin Ingle
-
Publication number: 20150144264Abstract: Provided are a plasma generating apparatus using mutual inductive coupling and a substrate treating apparatus including the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plasma generating apparatus includes: an RF power supply providing an RF signal; a plurality of electromagnetic field applying units inducing an electromagnetic field by receiving the RF signal; and a reactance element connected to a ground terminal of the electromagnetic field applying unit, wherein each of the electromagnetic field applying units may include a plurality of mutually-inductively coupled coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Hee Sun CHAE, Jeong Hee CHO, Jong Sik LEE, Han Saem RHEE, Hyun Jun KIM
-
Patent number: 9039911Abstract: Methods for etching a substrate in a plasma processing chamber having at least a primary plasma generating region and a secondary plasma generating region separated from said primary plasma generating region by a semi-barrier structure. The method includes generating a primary plasma from a primary feed gas in the primary plasma generating region. The method also includes generating a secondary plasma from a secondary feed gas in the secondary plasma generating region to enable at least some species from the secondary plasma to migrate into the primary plasma generating region. The method additionally includes etching the substrate with the primary plasma after the primary plasma has been augmented with migrated species from the secondary plasma.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Eric A. Hudson, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Rajinder Dhindsa
-
Publication number: 20150129131Abstract: A semiconductor processing apparatus includes an electromagnetic generator, an analog signal module, and an electromagnetic shield. The electromagnetic generator is capable of generating an electromagnetic field. The analog signal module is located adjacent to the electromagnetic generator and capable of generating an analog signal. The electromagnetic shield is capable of shielding the analog signal module. The electromagnetic shield includes a plurality of covering plates. Each of the covering plates and the analog signal module are apart from at least a predetermined distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Chia-Ching LI, Wei-Hao WU, Li-Hsiang CHAO, Bo-Wei WANG, Yen-Yu CHEN, Wei ZHANG
-
Publication number: 20150132970Abstract: An apparatus for processing reaction products that are deposited when an etching target film contained in a target object to be processed is etched is provided with: a processing chamber; a partition plate; a plasma source; a mounting table; a first processing gas supply unit; a second processing gas supply unit. The processing chamber defines a space, and the partition plate is arranged within the processing chamber and divides the space into a plasma generating space and a substrate processing space, while suppressing permeation of ions and vacuum ultraviolet rays. The plasma source generates a plasma in the plasma forming space. The mounting table is arranged in the substrate processing space to mount the target object thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Eiichi Nishimura, Akitaka Shimizu, Fumiko Yamashita, Daisuke Urayama
-
Publication number: 20150102011Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes first, second and third chambers, and a plasma generation device. An inner cross-sectional area and shape of the second chamber interior substantially corresponds to the upper surface of a substrate, and a substrate support is disposed so that, in use, the substrate is substantially in register with the interior of the second chamber, and the upper surface of the substrate is positioned at a distance of 80 mm or less from the interface between the second and third chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: SPTS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventor: MAXIME VARVARA
-
Patent number: 8986458Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma processing apparatus capable of bringing plasma close to a processing target and separating the plasma from the processing target. The plasma processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention has a chamber internally having a holding space 2a in which a processing target object 5 is held, and a plasma space 2b in which plasma is to be formed, a plasma gun 3 for emitting electrons into the plasma space 2b to form the plasma, and at least one pair of position-adjustable opposed magnets 4 for forming a magnetic flux passing across the chamber 2, between the holding space 2a and the plasma space 2b.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Chugai Ro Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinya Akano
-
Patent number: 8980045Abstract: A consumable ceramic liner can be used for connecting a gas outlet channel of a remote chamber to a gas inlet channel of a substrate cleaning chamber. The ceramic liner comprises an inlet cylinder having an outer diameter sized to fit in the gas outlet channel of the remote chamber, and an outlet cylinder connected to the gas inlet channel of the substrate cleaning chamber. A conical flare joins the inlet cylinder to the outlet cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Martin Riker, Wei W. Wang
-
Publication number: 20150072533Abstract: Provided is a method of etching a silicon oxide film, which includes supplying a mixture gas of a halogen element-containing gas and a basicity gas onto a surface of the silicon oxide film; modifying the silicon oxide film to produce a reaction product; and heating the reaction product to remove the reaction product. Modifying the silicon oxide film and heating the reaction product are performed using one chamber. In heating the reaction product, the reaction product is selectively heated by a heating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Yusuke MURAKI, Shigeru KASAI, Tomohiro SUZUKI
-
Publication number: 20150069017Abstract: A system for processing a substrate includes a plasma chamber to generate a plasma therein. The system also includes a process chamber to house the substrate, where the process chamber is adjacent the plasma chamber. The system also includes a rotatable extraction electrode disposed between the plasma chamber and substrate, where the rotatable extraction electrode is configured to extract an ion beam from the plasma, and configured to scan the ion beam over the substrate without movement of the substrate by rotation about an extraction electrode axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventor: James P. Buonodono
-
Patent number: 8967080Abstract: A plasma generation chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is closed by a top plate 3. The top plate 3 has recesses 3A on its surface facing the plasma generation chamber and a central recess 3B on an opposite surface. The top plate 3 is coupled to an antenna thereon. If a microwave is supplied to the antenna, the microwave is radiated through slots of the antenna. The microwave is propagated through the top plate 3 such that the microwave has a plane of polarization and the microwave forms a circularly polarized wave as a whole. Here, resonance absorption of the microwave occurs at a side surface of recesses 3A and the microwave is propagated within the recesses 3A in a single mode. Strong plasma can be generated within each of the recesses 3A, so that a stable plasma mode can be generated in the top plate 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Caizhong Tian, Kiyotaka Ishibashi, Toshihisa Nozawa
-
Patent number: 8944003Abstract: A system and method for generating and using plasma is provided. An embodiment comprises a plasma generating unit that comprises beta-phase aluminum oxide. A precursor material is introduced to the plasma generating unit and a plasma is induced from the precursor material. The plasma may be used to deposit or etch materials on a semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Fei-Fan Chen, Wen-Sheng Wu, Chien Kuo Huang
-
Publication number: 20150024594Abstract: A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus includes a cooled pin lifter paddle for raising and lowering a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber in which the semiconductor substrate is processed, a heated pedestal for supporting the semiconductor substrate in the processing chamber, and the cooled pin lifter paddle located below the pedestal. The cooled pin lifter paddle includes a heat shield and at least one flow passage in an outer peripheral portion thereof through which a coolant can be circulated to remove heat absorbed by the heat shield of the cooled pin lifter paddle. The cooled pin lifter paddle is vertically movable such that lift pins on an upper surface of the heat shield travel through corresponding holes in the pedestal and a source of coolant is in flow communication with the at least one flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Andreas Fischer, Dean Larson
-
Publication number: 20150024609Abstract: A processing chamber including a reaction chamber having a processing area, a processing gas inlet in communication with the processing area, a first excited species generation zone in communication with the processing gas inlet and a second exited species generation zone in communication with the processing gas inlet. A method of processing a substrate including the steps of loading a substrate within a processing area, activating a first excited species generation zone to provide a first excited species precursor to the processing area during a first pulse and, activating a second excited species generation zone to provide a second excited species precursor different from the first excited species precursor to the processing area during a second pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: ASM IP Holding B.V.Inventors: Robert Brennan Milligan, Fred Alokozai
-
Publication number: 20140374024Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for removing particles from a twin chamber processing system are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for removing particles from a twin chamber processing system includes a remote plasma system; and a plurality of conduits fluidly coupling the remote plasma system to each process chamber of a twin chamber processing system to provide a plasma to an exhaust volume of each process chamber, wherein each conduit of the plurality of conduits has an outlet disposed along a boundary of the respective exhaust volumes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: ANDREW NGUYEN, TOM K. CHO, KARTIK RAMASWAMY, YOGANANDA SARODE VISHWANATH
-
Publication number: 20140367045Abstract: The chamber, having a ceramic window disposed in a ceiling of the chamber is provided. Included is a ceramic support having a plurality of spokes that extend from a center region to an outer periphery, and each of the spokes include a hammerhead shape that radially expands the ceramic support in a direction that is away from an axis of a spoke. Also included is a plurality of screw holes disposed through the ceramic support. The plurality of screw holes defined to enable screws to connect to a TCP coil having an inner and outer coil. The outer coil is to be disposed under the hammerhead shape of each of the spokes, and a radial gap is defined between each of the hammerhead shapes. The radial gap defines a non-continuous ring around the outer coil. A plurality of screws are disposed through the screw holes for attaching the TCP coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Maolin Long, Alex Paterson
-
Patent number: 8912077Abstract: Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. A method includes forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask composed of a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is supported by a substrate carrier. The mask is then patterned with a laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is then etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits while supported by the substrate carrier.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Saravjeet Singh, Brad Eaton, Ajay Kumar, Wei-Sheng Lei, James M. Holden, Madhava Rao Yalamanchili, Todd J. Egan
-
Publication number: 20140352889Abstract: An apparatus for processing a semiconductor workpiece includes a first chamber having a first plasma production source and a first gas supply for introducing a supply of gas into the first chamber, a second chamber having a second plasma production source and a second gas supply for introducing a supply of gas into the second chamber, a workpiece support positioned in the second chamber, and a plurality of gas flow pathway defining elements for defining a gas flow pathway in the vicinity of the workpiece when positioned on the workpiece support. The gas flow path defining elements include at least one wafer edge region protection element for protecting the edge of the wafer and/or a region outwardly circumjacent to the edge of the wafer, and at least one auxiliary element spaced apart from the wafer edge region protection element to define the gas flow pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: SPTS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: OLIVER ANSELL, BRIAN KIERNAN, TOBY JEFFERY, MAXIME VARVARA
-
Patent number: 8900398Abstract: An arrangement for performing pressure control within a processing chamber substrate processing is provided. The arrangement includes a peripheral ring configured at least for surrounding a confined chamber volume that is configured for sustaining a plasma for etching the substrate during substrate processing. The peripheral ring includes a plurality of slots that is configured at least for exhausting processed byproduct gas from the confined chamber volume during substrate processing. The arrangement also includes a conductive control ring that is positioned next to the peripheral ring and is configured to include plurality of slots. The pressure control is achieved by moving the conductive control ring relative to the peripheral ring such that a first slot on the peripheral ring and a second slot on the conductive control ring are offset with respect to one another in a range of zero offset to full offset.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Michael C. Kellogg, Babak Kadkhodayan, Andrew D. Bailey, III
-
Publication number: 20140318710Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus is provided which includes an RF power which provides an RF signal; a plasma chamber which generates a plasma using the RF signal; a plurality of isolation loops which are formed along a circumference of the plasma chamber; and a plurality of electromagnetic applicators which are respectively coupled with the isolation loops and applies an electromagnetic field to the plasma chamber in response to the RF signal, wherein impedance values of the electromagnetic applicators increase according to an increase in a distance from an input terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: PSK INC.Inventors: Hee Sun CHAE, Jeonghee CHO, Jong Sik LEE, Han Saem LEE, Hyun Jun KIM
-
Patent number: 8859432Abstract: Bare aluminum baffles are adapted for resist stripping chambers and include an outer aluminum oxide layer, which can be a native aluminum oxide layer or a layer formed by chemically treating a new or used bare aluminum baffle to form a thin outer aluminum oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Fred D. Egley, Michael S. Kang, Anthony L. Chen, Jack Kuo, Hong Shih, Duane Outka, Bruno Morel
-
Patent number: 8852389Abstract: There is provided a plasma processing apparatus capable of stably generating plasma by suppressing oscillation of a plasma potential, and capable of preventing contamination caused by sputtering a facing electrode made of metal. A high frequency bias power is applied to an electrode within a mounting table for mounting a target object thereon. An extended protrusion 60 is formed at an inner peripheral surface of a cover member 27. The extended protrusion 60 is formed toward a plasma generation space S and serves as a facing electrode facing an electrode 7 within a mounting table 5 with the plasma generation space S therebetween. A ratio of a surface area of the facing electrode with respect to that of an electrode for bias (facing electrode surface area/bias electrode area) is in a range of from about 1 to about 5.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Taichi Monden, Junichi Kitagawa, Jun Yamashita, Hideo Nakamura
-
Patent number: 8841574Abstract: An apparatus and method to extend and concentrate a plasma from one or more plasma sources through at least one RF grounded pathway. A first embodiment of the invention involves a method to extend and concentrate a plasma. A second embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus to extend and concentrate a plasma. In some embodiments, an electrostatic rod inserted inside a RF grounded pathway assists the extension and concentration of a plasma that can treat one or more articles.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Inventor: Georges J. Gorin
-
Publication number: 20140273482Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device including arranging a compound semiconductor above a stage of a chamber, supplying an etching gas into the chamber, and generating a plasma in the chamber is provided. The compound semiconductor includes a group-III element nitride as a main component. A surface of the compound semiconductor is processed by a dry etching. Light is irradiated into the chamber during the generating of the plasma. A dry etching apparatus including a chamber including a stage, on which a compound semiconductor is mounted, and a light source irradiating light into the chamber is provided. The chamber is supplied with an etching gas. A plasma is generated in the chamber. A surface of the compound semiconductor is an object of a dry etching.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshinori TSUCHIYA, Shinichi HOSHI, Masaki MATSUI