Liquid Phase Etching Patents (Class 438/745)
  • Patent number: 8138098
    Abstract: A stacked structure including a soluble organic semiconductor material and a water soluble photosensitive material is provided. The water soluble photosensitive material is disposed on the surface of the soluble organic semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Hsien Yu, Jia-Chong Ho, Yi-Kai Wang, Ya-Lang Chen
  • Patent number: 8138086
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory device and devices thereof, which may be capable of preventing damage to a gate. A method of manufacturing a flash memory device may include preparing a semiconductor substrate having an active region defined by a device separator. A method of manufacturing a flash memory device may include forming a floating gate, a oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer and/or a control gate layer on and/or over a substrate. A method of manufacturing a flash memory device may include forming a low temperature oxide (LTO) film on and/or over a control gate, etching a LTO film to expose a desired part of a control gate, using a LTO film as a mask to etch a desired part of each of a floating gate layer, a ONO layer and/or a control gate to form a gate pattern, and/or substantially removing a LTO film by wet etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Kyung Jung
  • Publication number: 20120064727
    Abstract: Substrate treatment equipment includes a wet treatment apparatus for treating a substrate with a solution (liquid), a drying (treatment) apparatus discrete from the wet treatment apparatus and for drying the substrate using a supercritical fluid, and a transfer device. The substrate is extracted by the transfer device from the wet treatment apparatus after the substrate has been treated and the substrate is transferred by the device while wet to the dry treatment apparatus. To this end, various elements/methods may be used to keep the substrate wet or wet the substrate. In any case, the substrate is prevented from drying naturally, i.e., from air-drying, as the substrate is being transferred from the wet treatment apparatus to the drying apparatus. Thus, equipment and method prevent defects such as water spots and the leaning of fine structures on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-min Oh, Kun-tack Lee, Hyo-san Lee, Young-hoo Kim, Jung-won Lee, Sang-won Bae, Yong-jhin Cho
  • Patent number: 8133403
    Abstract: An acidic etcher solution for etching a substrate's surface. The acidic etcher solution includes an acid and a pH indicator, the pH indicator having at least one color transition at a pH below 7. The acidic etcher solution having an initial color at an initial pH when applied to the surface to allow determination of the evenness of the coating and the etcher having a second color at a second pH higher than the first pH wherein visual inspection allows for a determination that the etcher is substantially finished reacting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Behr Process Corporation
    Inventors: Jigui Li, Ming-Ren Tarng
  • Patent number: 8128755
    Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning solvents and cleaning methods for metallic compounds deposited on the equipment that supplies organometallic compounds to the manufacturing tool in the photovoltaic industry or the semiconductor industry. The cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed not only selectively remove the metallic compound without corroding the equipment, but also improve the ordinary cleaning process. Moreover, the cleaning solvents and the cleaning methods disclosed improve maintenance costs for the supply system because the equipment may be cleaned without being detached from the supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude Et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Yoichi Sakata
  • Patent number: 8129287
    Abstract: A first oxide film and a second oxide film 16 are formed in a first region 13a and a second region 13b, respectively, on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10, via thermal oxidization method, and the first oxide film is removed while the second oxide film 16 is covered with the resist layer 18 formed thereon, and then the resist layer 18 is removed with a chemical solution containing an organic solvent such as isopropyl alcohol as a main component. Subsequently, a third oxide film 22 having different thickness than the second oxide film 16 is formed in the first region 13a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suzuki, Hidemitsu Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120052687
    Abstract: A benign all-wet process for stripping photoresist after an implantation process performed to fabricate a device is provided. A method of stripping implanted resist includes a first step of disrupting a crust formed on the surface of the resist during the implantation process and then removing the underlying resist. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (CHP) chemical system is used to disrupt the crust and allow for low temperature (<180° C.) removal of the underlying resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventors: SRINI RAGHAVAN, Rajkumar Govindarajan, Manish Keswani
  • Patent number: 8123961
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the invention use a self-templating or multilayer approach to induce ordering of a self-assembling block copolymer film to an underlying base film to produce a multilayered film having an ordered array of nanostructures that can be removed to provide openings in the film which, in some embodiments, can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8123976
    Abstract: As a washing liquid and an etching solution for semiconductor substrates and glass substrates, alkaline aqueous solutions are used; however, since metal impurities are adsorbed on the substrate surface during processing, a next process for removing the adsorbed metal impurities is required. In addition, when a washing liquid is used, it cannot wash off metal impurities; therefore an acid washing process is required. The present invention provides an aqueous solution composition, which is an alkaline aqueous solution but is able to prevent adsorption of metal impurities, which also has cleaning capability. By means of an alkaline aqueous solution composition used for washing or etching a substrate, the composition comprising a chelating agent represented by the general formula (1): and an alkaline component, the adsorption of metal impurities on the substrate is prevented, and metal impurities adsorbed on the substrate are washed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norio Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8124544
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device including a wiring having a preferable shape. A manufacturing method includes the steps of forming a first conductive layer connected to an element and a second conductive layer thereover; forming a resist mask over the second conductive layer; processing the second conductive layer by dry etching with the use of the mask; and processing the first conductive layer by wet etching with the mask left, wherein the etching rate of the second conductive layer is higher than that of the first conductive layer in the dry etching, and wherein the etching rate of the second conductive layer is the same as or more than that of the first conductive layer in the wet etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Okamoto, Teruyuki Fujii, Hideto Ohnuma, Akihiro Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8119537
    Abstract: A method is provided for selectively etching native oxides or other contaminants to metal nitrides and metal oxides during manufacture of a semiconductor device. The method utilizes a substantially non-aqueous etchant which includes a source of fluorine ions. In a preferred embodiment, the etchant comprises H2SO4 and HF. The etchant selectively etches native and doped oxides or other contaminants without excessively etching metal nitrides or metal oxides on the substrate or on adjacent exposed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Shea, Kevin J. Torek
  • Patent number: 8119485
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fabrication method of a semiconductor device to order to increase an operation liability of the semiconductor device. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a recess in a semiconductor substrate, forming a word line in a lower part of the recess, oxidizing a top portion of the word line, and depositing an insulating material in a remained part of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Se hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120034787
    Abstract: The present invention provides an etching solution for revealing defects in a germanium layer, a method for revealing defects in a germanium layer using such an etching solution and to a method for making such an etching solution. The etching solution according to embodiments of the present invention is able to exhibit an etch rate of between 4 nm·min?1 and 450 nm·min?1, which makes it suitable to be used for revealing defects in a thin layer of germanium, i.e. in a layer of germanium with a thickness of between 20 nm and 10 ?m, for example between 20 nm and 2 ?m, between 20 nm and 1 ?m or between 20 nm and 200 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (IMEC)
    Inventors: Laurent Souriau, Valentina Terzieva
  • Patent number: 8110508
    Abstract: In an etching composition for an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer and a method of forming a bump structure, the etching composition includes about 40% by weight to about 90% by weight of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight of an aqueous basic solution including ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) or tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, about 0.01% by weight to about 10% by weight of an alcohol compound, and about 2% by weight to 30% by weight of an ethylenediamine-based chelating agent. The etching composition may effectively etch the UBM layer including titanium or titanium tungsten and remove impurities. A method of forming a bump structure may employ such an etching composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Min Kang, Bo-Ram Kang, Young-Nam Kim, Young-Sam Lim
  • Publication number: 20120021583
    Abstract: A semiconductor process is disclosed. The semiconductor process includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a specific area defined thereon; and performing an etch process by using an etchant comprising H2O2 to etch the specific area for forming a recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chun-Yuan Wu, Chiu-Hsien Yeh, Chin-Cheng Chien
  • Publication number: 20120009792
    Abstract: A semiconductor wet etchant includes deionized water, a fluorine-based compound, an oxidizer and an inorganic salt. A concentration of the fluorine-based compound is 0.25 to 10.0 wt % based on a total weight of the etchant, a concentration of the oxidizer is 0.45 to 3.6 wt % based on a total weight of the etchant, and a concentration of the inorganic salt is 1.0 to 5.0 wt % based on a total weight of the etchant. The inorganic salt comprises at least one of an ammonium ion (NH4+) and a chlorine ion (Cl?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Dae Park, Young You, Tae-Hyo Choi, Hun-Jung Yi, Kun-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20120003835
    Abstract: An exemplary method of etching sacrificial layer includes steps of: providing a substrate formed with a sacrificial layer and defined with a first region and a second region, the sacrificial layer disposed in both the first and second regions; forming a hard mask covering the first region while exposing the second region; performing a first etching process on the sacrificial layer to thin the sacrificial layer while forming a byproduct film overlying the thinned sacrificial layer; performing a second etching process on the byproduct film to remove a portion of the byproduct layer for exposing a portion of the thinned sacrificial layer, while another portion of the byproduct film disposed on sidewalls of the thinned sacrificial layer being remained; and performing a third etching process on the thinned sacrificial layer, to remove the portion of the thinned sacrificial layer exposed in the second etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chan-Lon YANG, Yeng-Peng Wang, Chiu-Hsien Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120001255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacture thereof, particularly, to a semiconductor device including a vertical type gate and a method of forming the same. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device includes a vertical pillar which is protruded from a semiconductor substrate, has a vertical channel, and has a first width; an insulating layer which has a second width smaller than the first width, provided in both sides of the vertical pillar which is adjacent in a first direction; and a nitride film provided in a side wall of the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Won PARK
  • Patent number: 8087960
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an LED comprising a quantum well region operable to generate light and a substrate having an interface with the quantum well region, wherein light generated by the quantum well region traverses the interface to enter the substrate and exit the LED through an exit face of the substrate. The exit face may be opposite from and a distance from the interface, with some portion or all of this LED being shaped to optimize the light extraction efficiency of the device. The exit face can have at least 70% of a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light. Sidewalls of the LED may be positioned and shaped so that rays incident on a sidewall reflect to the exit face with an angle of incidence at the exit face at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Illumitex, Inc.
    Inventors: Dung T. Duong, Paul N. Winberg, Matthew R. Thomas, Elliot M. Pickering
  • Patent number: 8088693
    Abstract: There is provided a substrate treatment method for performing treatment by feeding a chemical liquid to a surface of a substrate, in which, before feeding the chemical liquid to a predetermined area of the substrate, a liquid substance having a resistivity lower than that of the chemical liquid is fed to the surface of the substrate so that the liquid substance wets at least the predetermined area, and then, the chemical liquid is fed to the predetermined area so that the treatment is performed on the substrate with the chemical liquid fed to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Shiki, Seiji Oda, Hayato Iwamoto, Yoshiya Hagimoto
  • Patent number: 8084367
    Abstract: Provided herein are etching, cleaning and drying methods using a supercritical fluid, and a chamber system for conducting the same. The etching method includes etching the material layer using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which an etching chemical is dissolved, and removing an etching by-product created from a reaction between the material layer and the etching chemical using a supercritical carbon dioxide in which a cleaning chemical is dissolved. Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Pukyong National University
    Inventors: Hyo-san Lee, Chang-Ki Hong, Kun-Tack Lee, Woo-Gwan Shim, Jeong-Nam Han, Jung-Min Oh, Kwon-Taek Lim, Ha-Soo Hwang, Haldorai Yuvaraj, Jae-Mok Jung
  • Patent number: 8084354
    Abstract: During the fabrication of sophisticated metallization systems of semiconductor devices, material deterioration of conductive cap layers may be significantly reduced by providing a noble metal on exposed surface areas after the patterning of the corresponding via openings. Hence, well-established wet chemical etch chemistries may be used while not unduly contributing to process complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Volker Kahlert, Christof Streck
  • Patent number: 8076240
    Abstract: Techniques to improve characteristics of processed semiconductor substrates are described, including cleaning a substrate using a preclean process, the substrate comprising a dielectric region and a conductive region, introducing a hydroquinone to the substrate after cleaning the substrate using the preclean operation, and forming a capping layer over the conductive region of the substrate after introducing the hydroquinone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Anh Ngoc Duong, Chi-l Lang
  • Patent number: 8075702
    Abstract: In an inventive resist removing method, sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide water are supplied to a surface of a substrate to remove a resist from the substrate surface. Thereafter, hydrogen peroxide water is supplied to the substrate surface to remove the sulfuric acid from the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Wada
  • Patent number: 8070966
    Abstract: A fabrication method produces a mechanically patterned layer of group III-nitride. The method includes providing a crystalline substrate and forming a first layer of a first group III-nitride on a planar surface of the substrate. The first layer has a single polarity and also has a pattern of holes or trenches that expose a portion of the substrate. The method includes then, epitaxially growing a second layer of a second group III-nitride over the first layer and the exposed portion of substrate. The first and second group III-nitrides have different alloy compositions. The method also includes subjecting the second layer to an aqueous solution of base to mechanically pattern the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Aref Chowdhury, Hock Ng, Richart Elliott Slusher
  • Publication number: 20110294301
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate includes receiving a substrate and processing the substrate using a first fluid meniscus and a second fluid meniscus. The first fluid meniscus and the second fluid meniscus are applied to a surface of the substrate such that the first fluid meniscus is spaced apart from the second fluid meniscus by a transition region. A saturated gas chemistry is applied to the surface of the substrate at the transition region. The saturated gas chemistry is configured to maintain moisture in the transition region so as to prevent drying of the surface of the substrate in the transition region, before the second fluid meniscus is applied to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seokmin Yun, Mark Wilcosson
  • Patent number: 8067687
    Abstract: A monolithic, multi-bandgap, tandem solar photovoltaic converter has at least one, and preferably at least two, subcells grown lattice-matched on a substrate with a bandgap in medium to high energy portions of the solar spectrum and at least one subcell grown lattice-mismatched to the substrate with a bandgap in the low energy portion of the solar spectrum, for example, about 1 eV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Mark W. Wanlass
  • Publication number: 20110287634
    Abstract: Methods of making current tracks for semiconductors are disclosed. The methods involve selectively depositing a hot melt ink resist containing rosin resins and waxes on a silicon dioxide or silicon nitride layer coating a semiconductor followed by etching uncoated portions of the silicon dioxide or silicon nitride layer with an inorganic acid etch to expose the semiconductor and simultaneously inhibit undercutting of the hot melt ink resist. The etched portions may then be metallizaed to form a plurality of substantially uniform current tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Barr, Hua Dong
  • Patent number: 8062429
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous compositions comprising amidoxime compounds and methods for cleaning plasma etch residue from semiconductor substrates including such dilute aqueous solutions. The compositions of the invention may optionally contain one or more other acid compounds, one or more basic compounds, and a fluoride-containing compound and additional components such as organic solvents, chelating agents, amines, and surfactants. The invention also relates to a method of removing residue from a substrate during integrated circuit fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: EKC Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 8058180
    Abstract: This invention provides methods of fabricating semiconductor devices, wherein an alloy layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate to form a substrate structure, which methods include using an aqueous solution diluted ammonia and peroxide mixture (APM) to perform cleaning and/or wet etching treatment steps on the substrate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo-Won Kwon, Hyung-Ho Ko, Chang-Sup Mun, Woo-Gwan Shim, Im-Soo Park, Yu-Kyung Kim, Jeong-Nam Han
  • Publication number: 20110275211
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods of etching nanodots, to methods of removing nanodots from substrates, and to methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices. In one embodiment, a method of etching nanodots that include a late transition metal includes exposing such nanodots to a gas comprising a phosphorus and halogen-containing compound and an oxidizing agent. After the exposing, the nanodots which are remaining and were exposed are etched (either partially or completely) with an aqueous solution comprising HF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20110272808
    Abstract: A semiconductor process includes the following steps. Firstly, a conductive substrate is provided. Then, at least one insulating pattern is formed on the conductive substrate. Thereafter at least one metal pattern is formed on the insulating pattern. After that, a passivation layer is formed on the conductive substrate to cover the metal pattern by an electroplating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiung CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110275221
    Abstract: A mixture of perhalogenic acid and sulfuric acid is unexpectedly stable at high temperatures and is effective in stripping photoresists, including difficult to treat ion-implanted photoresists, with short processing times. In use, no decomposition of the mixture is observed up to a temperature of 145° C. In the mixture, the sulfuric acid is highly purified and has a concentration of 96 wt % or greater. The perhalogenic acid is preferably H5IO6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventor: Herbert SCHIER
  • Patent number: 8053371
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for locally removing any material, such as a refractory metal, in particular tungsten, from any desired area of a wafer, such as an alignment mark area of a silicon wafer in process during the formation of integrated circuits thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell C. Zahorik, Guy F. Hudson, Hugh E. Stroupe, Todd A. Dobson, Brian F. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8053270
    Abstract: A method for producing a silicon substrate for solar cells is provided. The method includes performing a saw damage removal (SDR) and surface macro-texturing on a silicon substrate with acids solution, so that a surface of the silicon substrate becomes an irregular surface. Thereafter, a metal-activated selective oxidation is performed on the irregular surface with an aqueous solution containing an oxidant and a metal salt, in which the oxidant is one selected from persulfate ion, permanganate ion, bichromate ion, and a mixture thereof. Afterwards, the irregular surface is etched with an aqueous solution containing HF and H2O2 so as to form a nano-texturized silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Dimitre Zahariev Dimitrov, Chien-Rong Huang, Ching-Hsi Lin
  • Patent number: 8048809
    Abstract: A slurry composition includes about 4.25 to about 18.5 weight percent of an abrasive, about 80 to about 95 weight percent of deionized water, and about 0.05 to about 1.5 weight percent of an additive. The slurry composition may further include a surfactant. In a polishing method using the slurry composition, a polysilicon layer may be rapidly polished, and also dishing and erosion of the polysilicon layer may be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo-Jin Lee, Kyung-Hyun Kim, Yong-Sun Ko
  • Patent number: 8048754
    Abstract: An object is to provide a single crystal semiconductor layer with extremely favorable characteristics without performing CMP treatment or heat treatment at high temperature. Further, an object is to provide a semiconductor substrate (or an SOI substrate) having the above single crystal semiconductor layer. A first single crystal semiconductor layer is formed by a vapor-phase epitaxial growth method on a surface of a second single crystal semiconductor layer over a substrate; the first single crystal semiconductor layer and a base substrate are bonded to each other with an insulating layer interposed therebetween; and the first single crystal semiconductor layer and the second single crystal semiconductor layer are separated from each other at an interface therebetween so as to provide the first single crystal semiconductor layer over the base substrate with the insulating layer interposed therebetween. Thus, an SOI substrate can be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Shimomura, Fumito Isaka, Sho Kato, Takashi Hirose
  • Publication number: 20110263128
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods associated with selective wet etching and textured surface planarization. The systems and methods described herein can be used to etch a component of a multi-layer stack, such as a GaN layer. In some embodiments, the multi-layer stack can include a substrate having a patterned surface and a light generating region. The substrate can be removed from the first multi-layer stack to form a second multi-layer stack. In some embodiments, the pattern on the surface of the substrate can leave behind a pattern on a surface of the second multi-layer stack. Accordingly, in some cases, the surface of the second multi-layer stack can be wet etched, for example, to smoothen the surface. In some embodiments, removing the substrate can expose an N-face of a GaN layer, and the wet etch can be performed such that the N-face of the GaN layer is etched. In some embodiments, the multi-layer stack includes a light generating region and can be part of a light emitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Duncan, Hong Lu
  • Patent number: 8043903
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to the following processes. A first recess is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region on the semiconductor substrate. The active region includes a protruding portion of the semiconductor substrate surrounded by the first recess. The protruding portion has a sloped side surface. A first insulating film that fills the first recess is formed. A gate recess is formed in the active region to form a thin film portion that upwardly extends. The thin film portion is positioned between the gate recess and the first insulating film. The thin film portion is a part of the protruding portion. An upper part of the thin film portion is removed by wet-etching to adjust a height of the thin film portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Koge, Teruyuki Mine, Yasushi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110256648
    Abstract: A method of forming a light conversion element includes providing a semiconductor construction having a first photoluminescent element epitaxially grown together with a second photoluminescent element. A first region is etched in the first photoluminescent element from a first side of the semiconductor construction and a second region is etched in the second photoluminescent element from a second side of the semiconductor construction. In some embodiments the wavelength converter is attached to an electroluminescent element, such as a light emitting diode (LED).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Tommie W. Kelley, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Catherine A. Leatherdale
  • Publication number: 20110256728
    Abstract: A wafer thinning apparatus for treating wafers each having at least a circuit-forming surface thereof protected, by immersing the wafers in a treating solution. The apparatus includes a support table for receiving, as placed thereon, containers each containing a plurality of wafers in one of groups into which the wafers are sorted according to predetermined ranges of thickness, a treating tank for storing the treating solution and receiving the containers, a transport mechanism for transporting the containers between the support table and the treating tank, and a control unit for controlling the transport mechanism to transport the containers successively to the treating tank, and for changing an immersion time of the containers in the treating tank for each group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Toshio HIROE, Kenichiro ARAI
  • Patent number: 8038893
    Abstract: To grasp a removable particle contamination and appropriately removing a particle contamination exposing from a surface of a semiconductor layer, this production method of the semiconductor optical device includes a surface treatment step in which particle contaminations removed from a surface of a cap layer 5 by etching are limited to particle contaminations A1, C2 higher than the thickness of a resist layer 22 formed on the surface of the cap layer 5. Therefore, the heights of removable particle contaminations can be preliminarily grasped based on the thickness of the resist layer 22 formed, whereby the particle contaminations exposing from the surface of the cap layer 5 can be appropriately removed by etching just enough. By repeating steps S11-S17 while changing the thickness of the resist layer 22, it is feasible to prevent unnecessary etching of a wafer and to remove the particle contaminations more completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Nomaguchi
  • Patent number: 8039388
    Abstract: The embodiments of methods described in this disclosure for trimming back nitride spacers for replacement gates allows the hard mask layers (or hard mask) to protect the polysilicon above the high-K dielectric during trim back process. The process sequence also allows determining the trim-back amount based on the process uniformity (or control) of nitride deposition and nitride etchback (or trimming) processes. Nitride spacer trim-back process integration is critical to avoid creating undesirable consequences, such as silicided polyisicon on top of high-K dielectric described above. The integrated process also allows widening the space between the gate structures to allow formation of silicide with good quality and allow contact plugs to have sufficient contact with the silicide regions. The silicide with good quality and good contact between the contact plugs and the silicide regions increase the yield of contact and allows the contact resistance to be in acceptable and workable ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwam Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Aun Ng, Yu-Ying Hsu, Chi-Ju Lee, Sin-Hua Wu, Bao-Ru Young, Harry-Hak-Lay Chuang
  • Publication number: 20110250762
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously cleaning inorganic and organic contaminants from semiconductor wafers and micro-etching the semiconductor wafers. After the semiconductor wafers are cut or sliced from ingots, they are contaminated with cutting fluid as well as metal and metal oxides from the saws used in the cutting process. Aqueous alkaline cleaning and micro-etching solutions containing alkaline compounds and mid-range alkoxylates are used to simultaneously clean and micro-etch the semiconductor wafers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Barr, Raymond Chan
  • Patent number: 8034714
    Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device. A contact plug is formed by wet etching. An aspect ratio of SAC is decreased and SAC fail is reduced so that a process margin is secured. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate comprising an active region and a device isolation layer defining the active region, a conductive pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a nitride layer formed on the semiconductor substrate perpendicularly to the conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Youn Hwang
  • Patent number: 8026175
    Abstract: After a liquid chemical treatment is finished, in parallel with a washing away treatment and/or a drying treatment, by spraying from a nozzle for a cleaning liquid supplied by a cleaning line to an outer surface of a nozzle for a liquid chemical, crystals and the like of components of the liquid chemical adhered on the outer surface of the nozzle are removed. In the cleaning treatment, a spraying time of the cleaning liquid is five seconds to ten seconds. In addition, the components of the cleaning liquid is not specifically limited, however, since ammonium phosphate tends to be solved in purified water, if a liquid chemical containing ammonium phosphate is used, it is preferable to use purified water as the cleaning liquid. Depending on the components and the like of the liquid chemical, a solution that can solve the crystals and the like may be used in stead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Tadashi Oshima
  • Publication number: 20110230053
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide an etching agent for a semiconductor substrate, which is capable of etching a titanium (Ti)-based metal film or a tungsten (W)-based metal film on a semiconductor substrate and an etching method using relevant etching agent, and relates to a liquid for preparing the etching agent for a semiconductor substrate composed of a solution comprising (A) hydrogen peroxide, (B) a phosphonic acid chelating agent having a hydroxyl group, (C) a basic compound, and (D-1) a copper anticorrosive and/or (D-2) 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: WAKO PURE CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Matsuda, Nobuyuki Kikuchi, Ichiro Hayashida, Satoshi Shirahata
  • Publication number: 20110220199
    Abstract: An inkjet ink comprises phosphoric acid; one or more solvents for the phosphoric acid, preferably ethyl lactate and water; and one or more aprotic organic sulfoxides, preferably dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or dimethyl sulfone (SMSO2). The inks do not leave a carbon residue on heating and so are suited to use in etching and/or doping silicon wafers, e.g. in the production of crystalline silicon solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CONDUCTIVE INKJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Martyn John Robinson, Philip Gareth Bentley
  • Patent number: 8017465
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an array substrate of liquid crystal display is performed with the following steps: providing a substrate having gate lines, a gate insulating layer and an active layer pattern formed thereon in this order; depositing a first transparent conductive layer and a source/drain metal layer in this order on the substrate; forming a photoresist layer on the source/drain metal layer through a triple-tone mask; performing a wet-etching process on the source/drain metal layer and the first transparent conductive layer exposed from the photoresist layer; performing a first ashing process on the photoresist layer and performing a dry-etching process on the source/drain metal layer, the first transparent conductive layer and the active layer pattern exposed by the first ashing process; performing a second ashing process on the photoresist layer and performing a wet-etching process on the source/drain metal layer exposed by the second ashing process; and removing the remaining photoresist layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungjin Choi, Youngsuk Song, Seongyeol Yoo
  • Patent number: 8017464
    Abstract: As a method for constituting a pre-metal interlayer insulating film, such method is considered as forming a CVD silicon oxide-based insulating film having good filling properties of a silicon oxide film by ozone TEOS, reflowing the film at high temperatures to planarize it, then stacking a silicon oxide film having good CMP scratch resistance by plasma TEOS, and, further, planarizing it by CMP. However, it was made clear that, in a process for forming a contact hole, crack in the pre-metal interlayer insulating film is exposed in the contact hole, into which barrier metal intrudes to cause short-circuit defects. In the present invention, in the pre-metal process, after forming the ozone TEOS film over an etch stop film, the ozone TEOS film is once etched back so as to expose the etch stop film over a gate structure, and, after that, a plasma TEOS film is formed over the remaining ozone TEOS film, and then the plasma TEOS film is planarized by CMP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Sugiyama, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, Yoshinori Kondo, Masayoshi Hirasawa