Cobalt Patents (Class 205/269)
  • Patent number: 11118278
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure may include methods of electroplating features formed on a semiconductor device, such as the trenches and vias formed by single or dual Damascene processes using a cobalt plating bath. The cobalt electroplating bath may contain “additive packages” or “additive systems” that include a combination of additives in certain ratios that facilitate the metal filling of high aspect ratio sub-micrometer features. Implementations of the disclosure provide new cobalt plating bath methods and chemistries and that include alkyl modified imidazoles, imidazolines, and imidazolidines suppressor compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Emesh, Roey Shaviv, Chris Pabelico
  • Patent number: 9777386
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods and apparatus for electroplating cobalt on a substrate. In many cases, the cobalt is electroplated into recessed features. The recessed features may include a seed layer such as a cobalt seed layer. Electroplating may occur through a bottom-up mechanism. The bottom-up mechanism may be achieved by using particular additives (e.g., accelerator and suppressor), which may be present in the electrolyte at particular concentrations. Further, leveler, wetting agent, and/or brightening agents may be used to promote high quality plating results. In various embodiments, the substrate is pre-treated to remove oxide (and in some cases carbon impurities) from the seed layer before electroplating takes place. Further, the electrolyte may have a particular conductivity to promote uniform plating results across the face of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Natalia V. Doubina, Matthew A. Rigsby, Jonathan David Reid
  • Publication number: 20150027899
    Abstract: Provided is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, and the anode which is low in potential when compared with a conventional anode, able to decrease an electrolytic voltage and an electric energy consumption rate and may also be used as an anode for electroplating various types of metals, and which is low in cost. Also provided is a method for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which the anode is low in potential and electrolytic voltage, thereby making it possible to decrease the electric energy consumption rate. The anode for electroplating of the present invention is an anode for electroplating which uses an aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, in which a catalytic layer containing amorphous ruthenium oxide and amorphous tantalum oxide is formed on a conductive substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: THE DOSHISHA
    Inventor: Masatsugu Morimitsu
  • Publication number: 20130264215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode system for conventional electrolysis cells, a process for the production thereof and its use for the deposition of electrolytic coatings. The anode system is characterized in that the anode (2) is in direct contact with a membrane (3) which completely separates the anode space from the cathode space. This anode system is therefore a direct-contact membrane anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: UMICORE GALVANOTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Weyhmueller, Franz Kohl, Uwe Manz, Klaus Bronder, Frank Oberst, Mario Tomazzoni
  • Patent number: 8545994
    Abstract: An article includes an electrodeposited metallic material including Co with a minimum content of 75% by weight. The metallic material has a microstructure which is fine-grained with an average grain size between 2 and 5,000 nm and/or an amorphous microstructure. The metallic material forms at least part of an exposed surface of the article. The metallic material has an inherent contact angle for water of less than 90 degrees at room temperature when measured on a smooth exposed surface portion of the metallic material which has a maximum surface roughness Ra of 0.25 microns. The metallic material has an exposed patterned surface portion having surface structures having a height of between at least 5 microns to about 100 microns incorporated therein to increase the contact angle for water at room temperature of the exposed patterned surface portion to over 100 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Integran Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Diana Facchini, Francisco Gonzalez, Jonathan McCrea, Mike Uetz, Gino Palumbo, Klaus Tomantschger, Nandakumar Nagarajan, Jared J. Victor, Uwe Erb
  • Publication number: 20130075270
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for coating a metallic interconnect of a solid oxide fuel cell. The method for coating a metallic interconnect of a solid oxide fuel cell includes generating a cobalt compound solution using lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) that is an anodic material of a lithium ion battery; immersing the metal interconnect in a plating solution in which the generated cobalt compound solution is contained; and forming cobalt (Co) on the immersed metal interconnect by performing electroplating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Ryul LEE, Han Wool RYU
  • Publication number: 20120298519
    Abstract: An electrolytic composition for the deposition of a matt metal layer onto a substrate and deposition process where the composition comprises a source of metal from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Re, Pt, Au, Bi, and combinations thereof; a substituted or unsubstituted polyalkylene oxide or its derivative as an emulsion and/or dispersion former; and a compound comprising fluorated or perfluorated hydrophobic chains or which is a polyalkylene oxide substituted quaternary ammonium compound as wetting agent; wherein the electrolytic composition forms a microemulsion and/or dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ENTHONE INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Königshofen, Danica Elbick, Christoph Werner, Wolfgang Clauberg, Peter Pies, Andreas Möbius
  • Publication number: 20120156577
    Abstract: Methods of forming electrodes for electrolysis of water and other electrochemical techniques are provided. In some embodiments, the electrode comprising a current collector and a catalytic material. The method of forming the electrode may comprising immersing a current collector comprising a metallic species in an oxidation state of zero in a solution comprising anionic species, and causing a catalytic material to form on the current collector by application of a voltage to the current collector, wherein the catalytic material comprises metallic species in an oxidation state greater than zero and the anionic species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Vladimir Bulovic, Daniel G. Nocera, Elizabeth R. Young, Ronny Costi, Sarah Paydavosi
  • Publication number: 20120040202
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of materials science and material physics and relates to a coated magnetic alloy material, which can be used, for example, as a magnetic cooling material for cooling purposes. The object of the present invention is to disclose a coated magnetic alloy material, which has improved mechanical and/or chemical properties. The object is attained with a magnetic alloy material with a NaZn13 type crystal structure and a composition according to the formula RaFe100-a-x-y-zTxMyLz and the surface of which is coated with a material composed of at least one element from the group Al, Si, C, Sn, Ti, V, Cd, Cr, Mn, W, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au or combinations thereof The object is furthermore attained by a method in which the magnetic alloy material is coated by means of a method from the liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Julia Lyubina, Mihaela Buschbeck, Oliver Gutfleisch
  • Patent number: 8066864
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymers which comprise at least partially cross-linked main chains constructed from repeat units of the general formula I and possibly repeat units of the general formula II and also possibly repeat units comprising five- or six-membered aza aromatics or nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Polymers of this type are used as additive in electroplating baths since these enable a better layer thickness distribution of the electroplated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Coventya GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jimenez, Thorsten Kühler
  • Publication number: 20110240479
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for electrolytically coating an article. The method includes providing an article to be coated and disposing the article in an electrolytic cell. The cell includes an anode, a cathode in operable communication with the article, and an electrolyte bath. During electrolysis, the electrolyte bath comprises cobalt ions, phosphorous acid, and tribological particles selected from the group consisting of refractory materials, solid lubricants and mixtures thereof dispersed therein. The method further includes applying steady direct electric current through the anode, the electrolyte bath and the cathode to coat the article with cobalt, phosphorous and the tribological particles. An improved composition of matter is also provided that may be used as a coating, or the composition may be electroformed on a mandrel to form an article made from the composition of matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Z. Reath, Amitava Datta, John D. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20110233065
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrolyte as well as a method for the deposition of a matte metal layer on a substrate surface, where the matte metal layer is V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, In, Sn, Sb, Te, Re, Pt, Au, TI, Bi, or an alloy thereof, and there is a halogenide, sulphate, or sulfonate of an element of the group consisting of sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium, or boron to facilitate deposition of a smooth and even layer with much lower deposition metal requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ENTHONE INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Königshofen, Danica Elbick, Helmut Starke
  • Publication number: 20110155581
    Abstract: A metal film-forming method is capable of forming a metal film on a surface of a base metal film, formed on a surface of a substrate, with sufficient adhesion to the base metal film even when a natural oxide film is formed on the surface of the base metal film. The metal film-forming method includes: preparing a substrate having a base metal film formed on a surface; and carrying out electroplating of the substrate using the base metal film as a cathode and another metal as an anode while immersing the substrate in a solution containing a metal complex and a reducing material, both dissolved in a solvent, to form a metal film, deriving from a metal contained in the metal complex, on the surface of the base metal film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Akira SUSAKI, Tsutomu Nakada, Hideki Tateishi
  • Publication number: 20110062030
    Abstract: The electrolyte composition is used in a method of depositing metals, in particular, onto substrates, especially solar cells. The electrolyte composition is particularly suitable for the deposition of metals, in particular silver, onto solar cells. The electrolyte composition is preferably free of cyanides and contains at least one metal, preferably silver, and an iminodisuccinate derivative, preferably a sodium or postassium iminodisuccinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Lothar Lippert, Stefan Dauwe
  • Publication number: 20110065804
    Abstract: Articles having metallic finishes including antimicrobial agents dispersed throughout the finish and methods of electroplating said metallic finishes on a material. The metallic finishes include highly-decorative electroplated finishes for bathroom and kitchen hardware, door hardware, and other highly lustrous products where antimicrobial protection is preferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicants: PAVCO INC., MICROBAN INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Leonard L. Diaddario, Matthew W. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 7897200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic coupling film structure and a fabrication method thereof. The structure includes an antiferromagnetic layer of cobalt oxide having a thickness of 2 to 15 monolayers and formed on a substrate at a temperature ranging from 700K to 900K; and a ferromagnetic layer of cobalt having a thickness of at least one monolayer for being formed on the antiferromagnetic layer of cobalt oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Jyh-Shen Tsay, Chi-Wei Lee, Gung Chern
  • Publication number: 20100044240
    Abstract: When depositing a metal or a compound of the metal from a liquid crystal phase comprising a metal compound, e.g. a metal salt, by electrochemical means, high concentrations of the salt may be employed by using an ionic surfactant in place of the commonly used non-ionic surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jennifer Kimber, Daniel Peat
  • Publication number: 20090242418
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coating method, in which a composite coating layer is formed on a surface of an alloy base member by utilizing a rotary electrode device. The coating method includes the steps of: preparing an electrolytic solution containing A ion wherein A is Co or Ni; preparing a MCrAlY powder wherein M denotes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co, and the MCrAlY powder contains at least Ni when A is Co or the MCrAlY powder contains at least Co when A is Ni; preparing a dispersion liquid by dispersing the MCrAlY powder into the electrolytic solution; immerging the cylindrical rotary electrode and the alloy base member into the dispersion liquid; and electrolyzing the surface of the alloy base member while the cylindrical rotary electrode covered with the nonwoven fabric layer is rolled on the on the surface of the alloy base member thereby to form the composite coating layer onto the surface of the alloy base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masahiro Saito, Yomei Yoshioka, Kazuhiro Kitayama, Hiroaki Okamoto, Yoshiaki Sakai
  • Publication number: 20090223830
    Abstract: A surface treatment method of cladding a Sn or Sn alloy coating with one or more metals selected from among Mn, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Ga, In, Ti, Ge, Pb, Sb and Bi continuously or discontinuously in such a way as to make the Sn or Sn alloy coating partially exposed, which method makes it possible to inhibit the generation of whiskers in an Sn or Sn alloy coating formed on the surface of a substrate to which other member is pressure-welded or the joint surface to be soldered. Cladding an Sn or Sn alloy coating with a prescribed metal continuously or discontinuously in such a way as to make the coating partially exposed inhibits the generation of whiskers by contact pressure in pressure welding, and further inhibits the generation of whiskers without impairing the solder wettability of the coating even when the cladding is not followed by heat treatment or reflowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: C. UYEMURA & CO., LTD., OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masanobu Tsujimoto, Isamu Yanada, Katsuaki Suganuma, Keunsoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090224422
    Abstract: Embodiments of a composite carbon nanotube structure comprising a number of carbon nanotubes disposed in a matrix comprised of a metal or a metal oxide. The composite carbon nanotube structures may be used as a thermal interface device in a packaged integrated circuit device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Valery M. Dubin
  • Publication number: 20090212801
    Abstract: A high frequency probe preparation method for making a high frequency probe for high frequency testing to assure signal integrity by means of making a sleeve assembly subject to the size of a predetermined bare needle and then sleeving bare needle by the sleeve assembly to form a high-frequency probe is disclosed to include the steps of: a) providing an insulated tube, and b) forming a conducting layer on the outer surface of the insulated tube which having a metal layer for grounding. The insulated tube and the conducting layer constitute the sleeve assembly. The metal layer is formed by means of physical deposition, chemical deposition, mixture of physical and chemical deposition or electrochemical deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MPI Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Ku, Kuan-Chun Chou
  • Publication number: 20090123789
    Abstract: There is disclosed articles for and methods of confining volatile materials in the void volume defined by crystalline void materials. In one embodiment, the hydrogen isotopes are confined inside carbon nanotubes for storage and the production of energy. There is also disclosed a method of generating various reactions by confining the volatile materials inside the crystalline void structure and releasing the confined volatile material. In this embodiment, the released volatile material may be combined with a different material to initiate or sustain a chemical, thermal, nuclear, electrical, mechanical, or biological reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: William K. Cooper, James F. Loan, Christopher H. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20080187675
    Abstract: Disclosed herein arc novel liposome compositions generally including a foreign inclusion (e.g., diamond) component, and a liposome (e.g., i paucilamellar liposome) component. Also disclosed are methods of using these composition for plating and plate obtained thereby. Novel liposome compositions including components such as diamonds, are also disclosed, which can be used in a variety of applications, such as in abrasive, cosmetic or medical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Frank C. Scarpa
    Inventors: Frank C. Scarpa, Dennis Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080105560
    Abstract: A method for preparing nano metallic particles comprises the steps of dipping a conductive substrate in an electroplating solution containing metallic ions and performing an electroplating process to form the nano metallic particles on the conductive substrate by the reduction reaction of the metallic ions. The nano metallic particles can be used as a catalyst to perform a chemical vapor deposition process to form carbon nanotubes on the conductive substrate. Subsequently, fluorescent material can be positioned on the carbon nanotubes to form a light-emitting device. When a predetermined voltage is applied between the conductive substrate and the fluorescent material, the carbon nanotubes on the conductive substrate emit electrons due to the point discharge effect, and the electrons bombard the fluorescent material to emit light beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yu Tsan Tseng, Cheng Hsuan Lin, Po Ling Shiao
  • Publication number: 20080090414
    Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous electroless deposition composition for electrolessly depositing Co or a Co alloy onto a substrate in manufacture of microelectronic devices by treating water or an aqueous electroless deposition composition with a deoxygenating treatment to reduce the oxygen concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Enthone Inc.
    Inventors: Qingyun Chen, Richard Hurtubise, Vincent Paneccasio, Charles Valverde, Daniel Stritch
  • Patent number: 6923897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an electrolytically coated cold rolled strip, preferably for use in the production of battery sheaths. The cold rolled strip is provided with a cobalt or a cobalt alloy layer by an electrolytic method. The aim of the invention is to provide a battery sheath with low values for the electric contact resistance between the cathode substance of the battery and the inner surface of the battery sheath. To this end, organic substances m added to the electrolyte during coating that produce decomposition products, said decomposition produces and/or reaction products of said decomposition products with other components of the electrolytic bath being deposited on the strip material as a brittle layer along with the cobalt or the cobalt alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Hille & Mueller GmbH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Schmidt, Hans-Guenter Steinmann, Karlfried Pfeifenbring, Werner Olberding, Dagmar Petrick
  • Patent number: 6852210
    Abstract: To provide a plating method, which enables wide industrial use of the redox system electroless plating method having excellent characteristics, and a plating bath precursor which is preferable for the plating method. The plating method comprises a process oxidizing first metal ions of a redox system of a plating bath from a lower oxidation state to a high oxidation state, and second metal ions of said redox system are reduced and deposited onto the surface of an object to be plated, wherein a process is provided in which by supplying the electrical current to the plating bath, the first metal ions are reduced from said lower oxidation state to thereby activate the plating bath. The plating bath precursor is formed stabilizing the plating bath so that reduction and deposition of the second metal ions substantially do not occur in order to improve its storing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Daiwa Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keigo Obata, Dong-Hyun Kim, Takao Takeuchi, Seiichiro Nakao, Shinji Inazawa, Ayao Kariya, Masatoshi Majima, Shigeyoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6797415
    Abstract: A track width defining layer for defining a write track width of a thin-film magnetic head is made of a CoNiFe film formed through electroplating. The CoNiFe film contains 60 to 75 weight % cobalt, 10 to 20 weight % nickel, and 10 to 20 weight % iron, and has a crystal structure that is a mixture of a body-centered cubic structure phase and a face-centered cubic structure phase, in which Ib/If falls within the range of 0.3 to 0.7 inclusive where Ib represents the intensity of an X-ray diffracted from a (110)-plane of the body-centered cubic structure and If represents the intensity of an X-ray diffracted from a (111)-plane of the face-centered cubic structure. The pH of a plating bath for forming the CoNiFe film through electroplating is adjusted to 3.0 to 4.0 inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Seiji Yari, Tetsuya Mino, Shuichi Okawa, Shigeru Ichihara
  • Patent number: 6793798
    Abstract: This invention relates to radioactively coated devices, preferably radioactively coated medical devices. These coated devices are characterized as having a low rate of leaching of the radioisotope from the surface of the coated device and a uniform radioactive coating, and are therefore suitable for use within biological systems. Methods for coating a device with a radioisotope comprising are also disclosed. One method comprises immersing the device within a solution containing a &Ugr;, &bgr;+, &agr;, &bgr;− or &egr; (electron capture) emitting radioisotope, then exposing the immersed substrate to tuned vibrational cavitation to produce a coated substrate. A second method involves coating a substrate using electroless plating, and yet a third method involves the use of electroplating a radioisotope onto a substrate of interest. With these methods, the coating procedures are followed by baking the coated substrate at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: MDS Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Chan, Stephen M. Oelsner, Thomas J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6790332
    Abstract: A method for galvanically depositing nickel, cobalt, nickel alloys or cobalt alloys in a galvanic bath includes using electrolytes containing nickel compounds or cobalt compounds. At least one anode and at least one cathode of the bath are subject to periodic current pulses. The IA/IC ratio of the anode current density IA to the cathode current density IC is selected to be greater than 1 and smaller than 1.5, where the anode current density IA and the cathode current density IC are defined as current densities with respect to a deposition body on which deposition occurs during the application of periodic current pulses where the deposition body serves as anode and cathode respectively. The charge ratio QA/QC=TAIA/TCIC of the charge QA, transported during anode pulse of duration TA, to the charge QC transported during a cathode pulse of duration TC, is between 30% and 45%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Ewald, Peter Filke, Michael Heckmann, Wolflgang Keinath, Günter Langel, Anton Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040173468
    Abstract: An electroplating solution includes a non-aqueous non-aromatic organic solvent and a mixture including soluble metallic salts and organic additives dissolved in the non-aqueous non-aromatic organic solvent. Electrodeposition of a metal from the electroplating solution includes preparing an electroplating solution and electrodepositing the metal from the electroplating solution onto a conductive substrate under a cathodic current. An electroplating system has a plating chamber containing an electroplating solution, an entry point to the electroplating system, and a transporting system to convey a part to be electroplated from the entry point to the plating chamber. The electroplating solution includes a non-aqueous non-aromatic organic solvent and a mixture including soluble metallic salts and organic additives, the mixture dissolved in the non-aqueous non-aromatic organic solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: GLOBAL IONIX
    Inventor: Yves Michel Henuset
  • Patent number: 6773573
    Abstract: A metal plating bath containing alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of plating bath additives. The additives are chemical compounds that improve the brightness of the plated metal, the physical properties of the plated metal especially with respect to ductility and the micro-throwing power as well as the macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of additives increases the life of the plating bath and improves the efficiency of the plating process. The plating baths containing the alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard additive consumption can be employed to plate copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David R. Gabe, Andrew J. Cobley, Leon R. Barstad, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Thomas Buckley
  • Patent number: 6736954
    Abstract: A metal plating bath and method of plating a metal on a substrate where the metal plating bath contains heteroatom organic compounds that prevent or inhibit the consumption of metal plating bath additives. The metal plating bath additives improve the brightness of plated metal as well as the ductility, micro-throwing power and macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The addition of the additive consumption inhibiting heteroatom organic compounds improves the physical properties of the plated metal as well as the efficiency of the plating process. The heteroatom organic compounds may contain sulfur, oxygen or nitrogen heteroatoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Cobley, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Leon R. Barstad, Thomas Buckley
  • Publication number: 20040074778
    Abstract: A metal plating bath and metal plating process that contains aldehyde compounds that prevent or reduce the consumption of metal plating bath additives. The metal plating baths provide for an efficient plating method because the plating process need not be interrupted to replenish the plating bath with additives. The metal plating baths may be employed to plate metals such as copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, chromium, cadmium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Cobley, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Leon R. Barstad, Thomas Buckley
  • Publication number: 20030102226
    Abstract: A metal plating bath containing alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of plating bath additives. The additives are chemical compounds that improve the brightness of the plated metal, the physical properties of the plated metal especially with respect to ductility and the micro-throwing power as well as the macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of additives increases the life of the plating bath and improves the efficiency of the plating process. The plating baths containing the alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard additive consumption can be employed to plate copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David R. Gabe, Andrew J. Cobley, Leon R. Barstad, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Thomas Buckley
  • Publication number: 20030085132
    Abstract: A metal plating bath and metal plating process that contains aldehyde compounds that prevent or reduce the consumption of metal plating bath additives. The metal plating baths provide for an efficient plating method because the plating process need not be interrupted to replenish the plating bath with additives. The Metal plating baths may be employed to plate metals such as copper, gold, silver, palladium, cobalt, chromium, cadmium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Cobley, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Leon R. Barstad, Thomas Buckley
  • Publication number: 20030066756
    Abstract: A metal plating bath and method for plating a metal on a substrate. The metal plating bath contains hydroxylamines that inhibit the consumption of additive bath components to improve the efficiency of metal plating processes. The additive bath components are added to metal plating baths to improve brightness of plated metal as well as the micro-throwing and macro-throwing power of the bath. In addition to brighteners, the additive bath components may include levelers, suppressors, hardeners, and the like. The hydroxylamines that inhibit additive consumption may be employed in metal plating baths for plating copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, bismuth, indium, tin, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and alloys thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David R. Gabe, Andrew J. Cobley, Leon R. Barstad, Mark J. Kapeckas, Erik Reddington, Wade Sonnenberg, Thomas Buckley
  • Publication number: 20020187364
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing whisker formation in tin films by the use of a thin metal undercoat. Also disclosed are structures having tin films with substantially reduced whisker formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jochen Heber, Andre Egli, Michael P. Toben, Felix Schwager
  • Publication number: 20020084190
    Abstract: A method for galvanically depositing nickel, cobalt, nickel alloys or cobalt alloys in a galvanic bath includes using electrolytes containing nickel compounds or cobalt compounds. At least one anode and at least one cathode of the bath are subject to periodic current pulses. The IA/IC ratio of the anode current density IA to the cathode current density IC is selected to be greater than 1 and smaller than 1.5. The charge ratio QA/QC=TAIA/TCIC of the charge QA, transported during an anode pulse of duration TA, to the charge QC transported during a cathode pulse of duration TC , is between 30 and 45. A bath for carrying out the method may have contoured anodes, current restrictors, a cleaning device for the electrolyte, and a circulating device with recycling of the electrolyte through nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Rudiger Ewald, Peter Filke, Michael Heckmann, Wolflgang Keinath, Gunter Langel, Anton Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6344125
    Abstract: A process for the electrolytic deposition of a metal, preferably copper or an alloy of copper, directly onto a barrier layer coated on a dielectric layer. The process is advantageous because it electrolytically deposits metal in a pattern that is either the duplicate of a first conductive pattern under the dielectric or the inverse image of the first conductive pattern, depending on the first conductive pattern shape. Thus, metal is deposited on the barrier layer duplicating a first conductive pattern under the dielectric layer when the first pattern is a serpentine pattern and the metal deposits in the spaces between the conductive lines of a first conductive pattern of a discrete passive element such as a spiral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter S. Locke, Kevin S. Petrarca, Seshadri Subbanna, Richard P. Volant
  • Patent number: 6323128
    Abstract: A method for forming a quaternary alloy film of Co—W—P—Au for use as a diffusion barrier layer on a copper interconnect in a semiconductor structure and devices formed incorporating such film are disclosed. In the method, a substrate that has copper conductive regions on top is first pre-treated by two separate pre-treatment steps. In the first step, the substrate is immersed in a H2SO4 rinsing solution and next in a solution containing palladium ions for a length of time sufficient for the ions to deposit on the surface of the copper conductive regions. The substrate is then immersed in a solution that contains at least 15 gr/l sodium citrate or EDTA for removing excess palladium ions from the surface of the copper conductive regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Juan Sambucetti, Judith Marie Rubino, Daniel Charles Edelstein, Cyryl Cabral, Jr., George Frederick Walker, John G Gaudiello, Horatio Seymour Wildman
  • Patent number: 6306276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrodeposition of transition metal and rare earth alloys from aqueous solutions to form thin films. The present invention which comprises the preparation of suitable mixtures of water soluble compounds containing the desired transition metal (TM) and rare earth (RE) elements, establishing appropriate bath conditions and applying specific current densities across the bath solution to cause a film with the desired properties to be deposited on a target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Ken Nobe, Morton Schwartz, Linlin Chen, No Sang Myung
  • Patent number: 6287445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for coating particles in a rotating container. A cathode forms an electrically conductive inner surface of a side wall of the container. An anode is positioned relative to the cathode so as to permit both the cathode and the anode to be immersed together in an electrically conductive fluid. A motor is connected to the container and arranged to cause the container to rotate so as to generate a centrifugal force. Particles are placed in the container, the container is filled with the electrically conductive fluid, and electrical current is caused to pass from the cathode to the anode through the electrically conductive fluid while the container is rotated. The particles rest against the electrically conductive inner surface of the side wall of the container while the electrical current passes from the cathode to the anode, so as to result in deposition of a coating material from the electrically conductive fluid onto the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Materials Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Lashmore, Glenn L. Beane
  • Publication number: 20010009724
    Abstract: Deposition of metal in a preferred shape, including coatings on parts, or stand-alone materials, and subsequent heat treatment to provide improved mechanical properties. In particular, the method gives products with relatively high yield strength. The products often have relatively high elastic modulus, and are thermally stable, maintaining the high yield strength at temperatures considerably above 25° C. This technique involves depositing a material in the presence of a selected additive, and then subjecting the deposited material to a moderate heat treatment. This moderate heat treatment differs from other commonly employed “stress relief” heat treatments in using lower temperatures and/or shorter times, preferably just enough to reorganize the material to the new, desired form. Coating and heat treating a spring-shaped substrate provides a resilient, conductive contact useful for electronic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventors: Jimmy Kuo-Wei Chen, Benjamin N. Eldridge, Thomas H. Dozier, Junjye J. Yeh, Gayle J. Herman
  • Patent number: 6224991
    Abstract: Treated copper foil for use in the manufacture of copper-clad laminates for printed circuit boards, wherein a continuous, very thin cobalt barrier layer, which is substantially non-ferromagnetic, is electrodeposited on a copper bonding treatment electrodeposited on a bonding side of a base copper foil; and a process and electrolyte for producing such treated foil, wherein the electrolyte contains a low concentration of cobalt and certain addition agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Yates Foil USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Yates, George Gaskill, Chinsai T. Cheng, Ajesh Shah, Adam M. Wolski, Paul DuFresne
  • Patent number: 6183545
    Abstract: An aqueous solution for the reductive deposition of metals comprising, besides water, (A) a phosphine of the general formula (1)  in which R1, R2, and R3 denote lower alkyl groups, at least one of which being hydroxy-or amino-substituted lower alkyl group, and (B) a soluble compound of a metal or a compound of a metal solubilized through the formation of a soluble complex by said phosphine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Daiwa Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Okuhama, Takao Takeuchi, Masakazu Yoshimoto, Shigeru Takatani, Emiko Tanaka, Masayuki Nishino, Yuji Kato, Yasuhito Kohashi, Kyoko Kuba, Tetsuya Kondo, Keiji Shiomi, Keigo Obata, Mitsuo Komatsu, Hidemi Nawafune
  • Patent number: 5882498
    Abstract: A method for electroplating a silicon substrate in manufacturing a semiconductive device is provided. Electroplating process chamber contacts or fingers used in positioning a silicon substrate or wafer during an electroplating process are plated with a metal layer to prevent oxidation of the contacts. Oxidation of the contacts may result in increased and varying resistance of the contacts and thus nonuniform plating of the silicon wafer and possibly even deplating of a seed layer. A 20 mA/cm.sup.2 current is applied to the contacts which are immersed in an electrolyte solution before loading a silicon wafer. A silicon wafer is then loaded into the electroplating process chamber containing the electrolyte solution. The preplating of the contacts enables the formation of a uniform metal layer on the silicon substrate. Additionally, voltage then may be applied to the contacts after unloading the silicon wafer to reduce oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Valery Dubin, Takeshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 5720867
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprising bipolar electrodes is employed for electrochemical deposition of copper, zinc, lead, nickel or cobalt. An interior space is provided between the cathode side and the anode side of a bipolar electrode. The electrolyte can flow substantially without an obstruction through the interelectrode space between adjacent electrodes. The current densities in the interelectrode space amount to 800 to 8000 A/m.sup.2. Gas is evolved on the anode side of the bipolar electrodes and causes liquid to flow along the anode side. In the middle of the height of the anode side that liquid flow has a vertical component having a velocity of 5 to 100 cm/second. Electrolyte solution flows from the upper edge portion of the anode side to a return flow space, in which the solution flows downwardly. From the return flow space the solution is returned to the lower portion of the interelectrode space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AG
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Gerhard Jedlicka, Karl Lohrberg
  • Patent number: 5433797
    Abstract: A process for producing nanocrystalline materials, and in particular nanocrystalline nickel having an average grain size of less than about 11 nanometers and ternary and quaternary nickel-iron alloys, such as NiFeCr and NiFeCrMn alloys, having a grain size less than about 100 nm is described. The nanocrystalline nickel is electrodeposited onto the cathode in an aqueous acidic electrolytic cell by application of a pulsed D.C. current. The ternary and quaternary Nickel-Iron alloys and other binary, ternary and quaternary alloys may be produced by D.C. electroplating or by pulsed D.C. electroplating. The cell electrolyte also contains a stress reliever, such as saccharin, which helps to control the grain size. The novel products of the invention find utility as wear resistant coatings, hydrogen storage materials, magnetic materials and as catalysts for hydrogen evolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Queen's University
    Inventors: Uwe Erb, Abdelmounam M. El-Sherik, Cedric K. S. Cheung, Martin J. Aus
  • Patent number: 5194140
    Abstract: The invention presented relates to (a) novel complexes of cobalt salts and copolymers of maleic anhydride, ethylenediamine and epichlorohydrin; (b) electroplating compositions for deposit of zinc-cobalt alloys wherein the cobalt is employed in the form of a complex of the above type; and (c) a process for the electrodeposition of bright zinc-cobalt alloys using the latter compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: MacDermid, Incorporated
    Inventors: Pranas Dobrovolskis, Nina Kashtalyanova, Gytis-Kazimeras Kupetis, Budilovskil Julius