Projection Of Etchant Against A Moving Substrate Or Controlling The Angle Or Pattern Of Projected Etchant Patents (Class 438/748)
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Patent number: 12116676Abstract: A method of forming an oxide layer in an in-situ steam generation (ISSG) process, including providing a silicon substrate in a rapid thermal process (RTP) chamber and injecting a gas mixture into the RTP chamber. The method further includes heating a surface of the silicon substrate to a reaction temperature, so that the gas mixture reacts close to the surface to form steam and thereby oxidize the silicon substrate to form the oxide layer on the surface, and wherein the gas mixture comprises hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2) and nitrous oxide (N2O).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: X-FAB FRANCE SASInventors: Sotirios Athanasiou, Laurence Vallier
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Patent number: 12009210Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first protective layer over an edge portion of a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. A metal-containing photoresist layer is formed over the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first protective layer is removed, and the metal-containing photoresist layer is selectively exposed to actinic radiation. A second protective layer is formed over the edge portion of the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The selectively exposed photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, and the second protective layer is removed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: An-Ren Zi, Ching-Yu Chang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
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Patent number: 11518937Abstract: An etching solution for selectively performing an etching process on a compound represented by General Formula Si1-xGex, in which x is more than 0 and less than 1, with respect to Si, Ge, and oxides thereof, the etching solution including hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and water, in which a content ratio of the hydrofluoric acid in the entire etching solution is 0.002% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less, a content ratio of the nitric acid in the entire etching solution is 10% by mass or more, and a content ratio of the water in the entire etching solution is 40% by mass or less.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yukihisa Wada, Daijiro Mori
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Patent number: 10840104Abstract: Methods of etching a semiconductor substrate may include applying an etchant to the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may include an exposed region of an oxygen-containing material and an exposed region of a nitrogen-containing material. The methods may include heating the semiconductor substrate from a first temperature to a second temperature. The methods may include maintaining the semiconductor substrate at the second temperature for a period of time sufficient to perform an etch of the nitrogen-containing material relative to the oxygen-containing material. The methods may also include quenching the etch subsequent the period of time.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, John L. Klocke, Charles Sharbono, Kyle Moran Hanson, Paul McHugh
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Patent number: 10586693Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises: a liquid film former which forms a liquid film by supplying a liquid on an upper surface of the substrate W held horizontally; a cooling gas discharge nozzle which discharges cooling gas of a temperature lower than a freezing point of the liquid forming the liquid film to the liquid film; a thawing liquid discharge nozzle which discharges a thawing liquid to a frozen film formed by freezing the liquid film; a thawing liquid supplier which supplies the heated thawing liquid to the thawing liquid discharge nozzle via a pipe; and a receiver which receives the cooling gas and the thawing liquid respectively discharged from the cooling gas discharge nozzle and the thawing liquid discharge nozzle at the respective retracted position and guides the cooling gas and the thawing liquid to a common flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Kato, Katsuhiko Miya, Hiroyuki Yashiki
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Patent number: 10283385Abstract: A wet chemical processing tool is provided, which includes an assembly of a container and at least three nozzles. The container includes a volume configured to contain at least one substrate therein. The wet chemical processing tool includes a flow controller configured to actuate and de-actuate flow of the liquid through each of the at least three nozzles. The flow controller can be operated by an automated program that includes a plurality of wet processing steps. At least two of the plurality of wet processing steps generate a respective unique processing-step vortex flow pattern by de-actuating flow of the liquid from a respective set of at least one deactivated nozzle selected from the at least three nozzles while actuating each of the at least three nozzles that does not belong to the set of at least one deactivated nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Takeshi Watanabe, Yoshihiro Nagura, Kouta Fujikawa, Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 9780335Abstract: Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Martin B. Wolk, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Sergey Lamansky, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Vivian W. Jones, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael Benton Free, Evan L. Schwartz, Randy S. Bay, Graham M. Clarke
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Patent number: 9659794Abstract: An apparatus includes a susceptor, a first piping, a second piping, a liquid source, a third piping and a gas source. The susceptor is suitable for placing a wafer, and the first piping is configured to dispense a chemical to the wafer on the susceptor. The second piping communicates with the first piping. The liquid source is configured to deliver a cleaning liquid to the first piping through the second piping to wash a portion of the first piping. The third piping communicates with the first piping. The gas source is configured to flow a purge gas to the first piping through the third piping to purge the portion of the first piping.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Sung Hung, Yu-Kuei Lee, Cheng-Nan Kao, Hung-Hsin Liang
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Publication number: 20150147888Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus of the present disclosure holds and rotate a substrate in a substrate holding unit, ejects an etching liquid while moving a main nozzle of a main nozzle unit between a first position where the etching liquid reaches a center of the substrate and a second position closer to a peripheral side of the substrate than the first position, and then, ejects the etching liquid to the substrate from a sub nozzle provided at a third position closer to the peripheral side of the substrate than the first position at an ejection flow rate higher than that from the main nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Jun Nonaka, Shogo Mizota, Tatsuya Nagamatsu, Daisuke Saiki, Kazuhiro Teraoka, Takashi Yabuta
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Patent number: 9040431Abstract: A method for processing a silicon wafer is provided. The method includes allowing an etchant to flow along a surface of the silicon wafer to form a line in which a plurality of apertures are arranged in a flow direction of the etchant from an upstream side to a downstream side. The apertures arranged in the line include a first aperture formed on the most upstream side and a second aperture formed downstream of the first aperture in the flow direction of the etchant. The first aperture and the second aperture are subjected to different processes after being formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirohisa Fujita, Shuji Koyama, Keiji Matsumoto, Kenta Furusawa
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Publication number: 20150140817Abstract: A method for removing material from surfaces of at least a portion of at least one recess or at least one aperture extending into a surface of a substrate includes pressurizing fluid so as to cause the fluid to flow into the at least one recess or the at least one aperture. The fluid may be pressurized by generating a pressure differential across the substrate, which causes the fluid to flow into or through the at least one aperture or recess. Apparatus for pressurizing fluid so as to cause it to flow into or through recesses or apertures in a substrate are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventor: Ross S. Dando
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Publication number: 20150093906Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus which can more efficiently regenerate phosphoric acid which is able to be returned to etching treatment along with such etching treatment as much as possible without using a large facility, that is a substrate treatment apparatus which treats a silicon substrate W on which a nitride film is formed by a liquid etchant which contains phosphoric acid, which comprises an etching treatment unit (the spin treatment unit 30) which gives a suitable quantity of liquid, etchant to each substrate which is fed one at a time so as to etch the substrate and remove the nitride film, a phosphoric acid regenerating unit (the spin treatment unit 30) which mixes liquid etchant used for treatment of one substrate and a suitable quantity of liquid hydrofluoric acid for the amount of the used liquid etchant under a predetermined temperature environment to regenerate the phosphoric acid, and a phosphoric acid recovery unit (the pump 38, phosphoric acid recovery tank 50, and pump 52) which returns theType: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: SHIBAURA MECHATRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuo KOBAYASHI, Koichi HAMADA, Yoshiaki KUROKAWA, Masaaki FURUYA, Hideki MORI, Yasushi WATANABE, Yoshinori HAYASHI
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Patent number: 8981345Abstract: Provided is a graphene nanoribbon sensor. The sensor includes a substrate, a graphene layer formed on the substrate in a first direction, and an upper dielectric layer on the graphene layer. Here, the graphene layer may have a plurality of electrode regions respectively separated in the first direction and a channel between the plurality of electrode regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Young-Jun Yu, Choon Gi Choi
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Publication number: 20150028455Abstract: A device includes sidewalls formed in a wafer surface, where the sidewalls descend to a recessed surface. The recessed surface generally promotes resist coverage on the wafer surface, including corners (e.g., junctions between the wafer surface and various surface topographies, such as cavities, the recessed surface, and so forth) on the wafer. In one or more implementations, a wet etching procedure is used to form the sidewalls and recessed surface. A resist material (e.g., a photoresist material) is deposited onto the wafer surface, where the photoresist fully covers one or more of the top corners of the wafer surface. In one or more implementations, the recessed surface is positioned adjacent a trench formed in the wafer to promote resist coverage on the top surface of the wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Xuejun Ying, Li Li, Amit S. Kelkar, Brian S. Poarch
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Patent number: 8932962Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a liquid etchant onto a wafer dispenses the liquid etchant onto a wafer using a scanning dispensing nozzle while controlling the dispensing temperature of the etchant in real time as a function of the radial position of the dispensing nozzle over the wafer. The dispensing temperature of the etchant is controlled to enhance the effectiveness of the etchant and thus compensate for the lower etching rate zones in the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Weibo Yu, Kuo Bin Huang, Chao-Cheng Chen, Syun-Ming Jang
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Publication number: 20140349489Abstract: An apparatus for treating a wafer-shaped article, comprises a spin chuck for holding a wafer-shaped article in a predetermined orientation, a liquid dispenser for dispensing a treatment liquid onto a downwardly facing surface of a wafer-shaped article when positioned on the spin chuck, and a gas dispenser for dispensing a gas within a gap defined between the downwardly-facing surface of the wafer-shaped article and an upper surface of the spin chuck.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: LAM RESEARCH AGInventors: Kei KINOSHITA, Keisuke SATO
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Patent number: 8796157Abstract: Method of selectively etching a first material on a substrate with a high selectivity towards a second material by flowing a liquid etchant across a substrate surface at a flow sufficiently fast to generate a minimum mean velocity parallel to the substrate's surface, wherein the first material is selected from a group including materials with semiconducting properties based on at least two different chemical elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Lam Research AGInventor: Gerald Wagner
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Publication number: 20140206195Abstract: A method of removing carbon materials, preferably amorphous carbon, from a substrate includes dispensing a liquid sulfuric acid composition including sulfuric acid and/or its desiccating species and precursors and having a water/sulfuric acid molar ratio of no greater than 5:1 onto an material coated substrate in an amount effective to substantially uniformly coat the carbon material coated substrate. The liquid sulfuric acid composition is exposed to water vapor in an amount effective to increase the temperature of the liquid sulfuric acid composition above the temperature of the liquid sulfuric acid composition prior to exposure to the water vapor. In preferred embodiments, amorphous carbon is selectively removed as compared to a silicon oxide (e.g., silicon dioxide) and/or silicon nitride.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: TEL FSI, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey M. Lauerhaas
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Patent number: 8778802Abstract: A polishing method includes causing a polishing pad arranged on a turn table to rotate together with the turn table, and polishing a surface of a substrate by using the rotating polishing pad while supplying a chemical fluid to a surface of the polishing pad on a fore side of the substrate from an oblique direction with respect to the surface of the polishing pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Dai Fukushima, Gaku Minamihaba, Hiroyuki Yano
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Patent number: 8759229Abstract: A method for manufacturing an epitaxial wafer that can reduce occurrence of a surface defect or a slip formed on an epitaxial layer is provided. The manufacturing method is characterized by comprising: a smoothing step of controlling application of an etchant to a wafer surface in accordance with a surface shape of a silicon wafer to smooth the wafer surface; and an epitaxial layer forming step of forming an epitaxial layer formed of a silicon single crystal on the surface of the wafer based on epitaxial growth.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Sumco CorporationInventors: Sakae Koyata, Kazushige Takaishi, Tomohiro Hashii, Katsuhiko Murayama, Takeo Katoh
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Patent number: 8741070Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid processing method, a liquid processing apparatus, and a recording medium that can prevent convex portions of a target substrate from collapsing when a rinsing liquid is dried. A base surface of a target substrate is hydrophilized and the surfaces of convex portions become water-repellent by surface-processing the target substrate which includes a main body, a plurality of convex portions protruding from the main body, and a base surface formed between the convex portions on the substrate main body. Next, a rinsing liquid is supplied to the target substrate which has been subjected to the surface processing. Thereafter, the rinsing liquid is removed from the target substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Nobutaka Mizutani, Tsutae Omori, Takehiko Orii, Akira Fujita
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Publication number: 20140080312Abstract: A wafer is held horizontally and rotated by a substrate holding mechanism. An aqueous alkaline solution is supplied to a wafer by a nozzle and caused to flow from a central portion to a peripheral edge portion of the wafer, thereby etching the wafer. An amount of oxygen, which is equal to or more than the amount of oxygen in atmospheric air involved in the aqueous alkaline solution flowing on the wafer, is previously dissolved in the aqueous alkaline solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Hayato IWAMOTO, Yoshiya HAGIMOTO, Tomoki TETSUKA, Shinichiro SHIMOMURA, Teruomi MINAMI, Hiroki SAKURAI, Hirotaka MARUYAMA, Yosuke KAWABUCHI, Hiroshi TANAKA
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Publication number: 20140051258Abstract: It is an object to carry out a chemical treatment for a peripheral edge part of a substrate while suppressing an amount of consumption of a processing liquid and a time required for processing. In order to achieve the object, a substrate processing device injects heating steam to a peripheral edge part of a substrate to heat the peripheral edge part when carrying out a chemical treatment for the peripheral edge part of the substrate while rotating the substrate in a substantially horizontal posture. Moreover, the substrate processing device injects a gas from above the substrate toward a predetermined injection target region defined within a range surrounded by a rotating track of the peripheral edge part of the substrate in an upper surface of the substrate, thereby generating, on the substrate, a gas flow which flows from the injection target region toward the peripheral edge part of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenji IZUMOTO, Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA
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Publication number: 20140051259Abstract: It is an object to reduce a chemical treating width in a peripheral edge part of a substrate while suppressing deterioration in each of uniformity of the chemical treating width and processing efficiency. In order to achieve the object, a substrate processing device for carrying out a chemical treatment for a substrate using a processing liquid having a reaction rate increased with a rise in temperature includes a substrate holding portion, a rotating portion for rotating the substrate held in the substrate holding portion in a substantially horizontal plane, a heating portion for injecting heating steam to a central part of a lower surface of the substrate to entirely heat the substrate, and a peripheral edge processing portion for supplying the processing liquid from above to a peripheral edge part of the substrate heated by the heating portion, thereby carrying out a chemical treatment for the peripheral edge part.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD.Inventor: Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA
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Patent number: 8636915Abstract: To provide a liquid processing apparatus capable of processing substrates with a high throughput with the lesser number of nozzles for chemical-liquid, when the substrates that are horizontally held in cup bodies are liquid-processed by supplying a chemical liquid to the substrates. Taking a developing process as an example of a liquid process, two-types of developing nozzles are prepared for two types of developing methods. The developing nozzle, which is used in the method in which the nozzle is engaged with the process for a longer period of time, is individually disposed on each of a first processing module 1 and a second processing module 2. On the other hand, the developing nozzle, which is used in the method in which the nozzle is engaged with the process for a shorter period of time, is used in common in the first liquid processing module 1 and the second liquid processing module 2. The common developing nozzle is configured to wait on an intermediate position between the modules 1 and 2.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Yasushi Takiguchi, Taro Yamamoto, Tsutomu Yamahata, Akihiro Fujimoto, Kouji Fujimura
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Patent number: 8618001Abstract: A lifting-off method and a manufacturing method for a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate using the same are provided. A lifting-off method comprises forming a cavitation jet flow by using a lifting-off solution, and impacting a to-be-lifted-off surface of a substrate by means of the cavitation jet flow to remove a photoresist and a film deposited on the photoresist over the to-be-lifted-off surface. The disclosure may be applied to manufacturing processes for semiconductor devices or TFT array substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignees: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Boe Display Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yongzhi Song, Zhaohui Hao, Xu Wang, Huiyue Luo, Guojing Ma
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Patent number: 8596623Abstract: A spin chuck in an apparatus for single wafer wet processing has structures at its periphery that, in combination with a supported wafer, form a series of annular nozzles that direct flowing gas from a chuck-facing surface of the wafer, around the edge of the wafer, and exhaust the gas away from the non-chuck-facing surface of the wafer, thereby preventing treatment fluid applied to the non-chuck-facing surface from contacting the edge region of the wafer. Retaining pins with enlarged heads engage the wafer edge and prevent it from being displaced upwardly when a high flow rate of gas is utilized.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Lam Research AGInventors: Dieter Frank, Michael Puggl
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Publication number: 20130309874Abstract: An apparatus for treating a wafer-shaped article, comprises a spin chuck for holding a wafer-shaped article in a predetermined orientation, a liquid dispenser for dispensing a treatment liquid onto a downwardly facing surface of a wafer-shaped article when positioned on the spin chuck, and a gas dispenser for dispensing a gas within a gap defined between the downwardly-facing surface of the wafer-shaped article and an upper surface of the spin chuck.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: LAM RESEARCH AGInventors: Kei KINOSHITA, Keisuke SATO
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Publication number: 20130267099Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a liquid etchant onto a wafer dispenses the liquid etchant onto a wafer using a scanning dispensing nozzle while controlling the dispensing temperature of the etchant in real time as a function of the radial position of the dispensing nozzle over the wafer. The dispensing temperature of the etchant is controlled to enhance the effectiveness of the etchant and thus compensate for the lower etching rate zones in the wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Weibo YU, Kuo Bin HUANG, Chao-Cheng CHEN, Syun-Ming JANG
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Patent number: 8530359Abstract: An apparatus for wet etching metal from a semiconductor wafer comprises a wafer holder for rotating a wafer and a plurality of nozzles for applying separate flow patterns of etching liquid to the surface of the wafer. The flow patterns impact the wafer in distinct band-like impact zones. The flow pattern of etching liquid from at least one nozzle is modulated during a total etching time control the cumulative etching rate in one local etch region relative to the cumulative etching rate in one or more other local etch regions. Some embodiments include a lower etch chamber and an upper rinse chamber separated by a horizontal splash shield. Some embodiments include a retractable vertical splash shield used to prevent splashing of etching liquid onto the inside walls of a treatment container. An etch-liquid delivery system includes a plurality of nozzle flow paths having corresponding nozzle flow resistances, and a plurality of drain flow paths having corresponding drain flow resistances.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Steven T. Mayer, David W. Porter
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Patent number: 8529707Abstract: Provided is a liquid processing apparatus in which a target substrate is horizontally held on a substrate holding unit and rotated around a vertical shaft, and the chemicals are supplied from a chemical supplying unit to the bottom surface of the target substrate that is rotating. In particular, the liquid processing apparatus performs a first step in which the chemicals are supplied to the target substrate while rotating the target substrate at a first rotation speed, a second step in which the supply of the chemicals is halted and the chemicals are thrown off by rotating the target substrate at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed, and a third step in which the rinse liquid is supplied to the target substrate while rotating the target substrate at a third rotation speed equal to or lower than the first rotation speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Hiromitsu Namba
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Patent number: 8507387Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing noble metal-containing particles from over a substrate. The substrate is exposed to a composition that reduces adhesion between the noble metal-containing particles and the substrate, and simultaneously the substrate is spun to sweep at least some of the noble metal-containing particles off from the substrate. Some embodiments include methods in which tunnel dielectric material is formed across a semiconductor wafer. Metallic nanoparticles are formed across the tunnel dielectric material. A stack of two or more different materials is formed over the metallic nanoparticles. A portion of the stack is covered with a protective mask while another portion of the stack is left unprotected. The unprotected portion of the stack is removed to expose some of the metallic nanoparticles. The semiconductor wafer to is subjected to etchant suitable to undercut at least some of the exposed metallic nanoparticles, and simultaneously the semiconductor wafer is spun.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Brian Dolan
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Publication number: 20130203262Abstract: A method for selectively removing silicon nitride is described. In particular, the method includes providing a substrate having a surface with silicon nitride exposed on at least one portion of the surface and SiGex (x is greater than or equal to zero) exposed on at least another portion of the surface, and dispensing an oxidizing agent onto the surface of the substrate to oxidize the exposed SiGex. Thereafter, the method includes dispensing a silicon nitride etching agent as a liquid stream onto the surface of the substrate to remove at least a portion of the silicon nitride.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: TEL FSI, INC.Inventor: TEL FSI, INC.
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Publication number: 20130171831Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit configured to hold a substrate; a first processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a first processing liquid to a peripheral portion of the substrate; a second processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a second processing liquid, the temperature of which is lower than that of the first processing liquid, to the peripheral portion of the substrate; a first gas supply port configured to supply a first gas at a first temperature to a first gas supplied place on the peripheral portion of the substrate; and a second gas supply port configured to supply a second gas at a second temperature lower than the first temperature to a place closer to the center in the radial direction as compared to the first gas supplied place with respect to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Tokyo Electron Limited
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Patent number: 8466071Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for etching a single wafer, which effectively realizes a high flatness of wafer and an increase in productivity thereof. In a method for etching a single wafer, a single thin disk-like wafer sliced from a silicon single crystal ingot is spun, and a front surface of the wafer is etched with an etching solution supplied thereto. In the method, a plurality of supply nozzles are disposed above and opposite to the front surface of the wafer at different portions in the radial direction of the wafer, respectively; and then one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of temperatures, kinds, and supply flow rates of etching solutions from the plurality of supply nozzles are changed.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Sumco CorporationInventors: Sakae Koyata, Tomohiro Hashii, Katsuhiko Murayama, Kazushige Takaishi, Takeo Katoh
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Publication number: 20130102158Abstract: A liquid composition for wet etching has improved selectivity for polysilicon over silicon dioxide, even when the polysilicon is heavily doped and/or the silicon dioxide is a low temperature oxide. The composition comprises 0.05-0.4 percent by weight hydrofluoric acid, 15-40 percent by weight nitric acid, 55-85 percent by weight sulfuric acid and 2-20 percent by weight water. A method and apparatus for wet etching using the composition are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: LAM RESEARCH AGInventor: Stefan DETTERBECK
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Patent number: 8419964Abstract: Chemical etching methods and associated modules for performing the removal of metal from the edge bevel region of a semiconductor wafer are described. The methods and systems provide the thin layer of pre-rinsing liquid before applying etchant at the edge bevel region of the wafer. The etchant is less diluted and diffuses faster through a thinned layer of rinsing liquid. An edge bevel removal embodiment involving that is particularly effective at reducing process time, narrowing the metal taper and allowing for subsequent chemical mechanical polishing, is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kousik Ganesan, Shanthinath Ghongadi, Tariq Majid, Aaron Labrie, Steven T. Mayer
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Patent number: 8420550Abstract: A method for manufacturing semiconductor substrates. The method includes providing a semiconductor wafer, which has an upper surface, a backside surface, and an edge region around a periphery of the semiconductor wafer. In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface is often for the manufacture of the integrated circuit device elements themselves. The method includes subjecting the semiconductor wafer to one or more process steps to form one or more films of materials on the backside surface. The method mounts the semiconductor wafer to expose the backside surface. The method rotates the semiconductor wafer in a circular manner. In a specific embodiment, the method includes supplying an acid solution containing fluorine bearing species, a nitric acid species, a surfactant species, and an organic acid species, on at least the backside surface as the semiconductor wafer rotates.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) CorporationInventors: Yan Wu Chang, Tek Sing Lim
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Patent number: 8394721Abstract: A method for obtaining a layout design for an existing integrated circuit, in which, an integrated circuit die is polished with a tilt angle to form an inclined polished surface and one or more images of the inclined polished surface are obtained. The images may be overlapped directly, or the image or the images may be utilized to provide information to obtain a layout design comprising at least one repeating unit structure of the layout structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.Inventors: Ming-Teng Hsieh, Yi-Nan Chen, Hsien-Wen Liu
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Patent number: 8384225Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a through-silicon via (TSV) extending from the top surface of the substrate to the bottom surface of the substrate, the TSV having a height and a side profile extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the side profile has an upper segment forming a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a lower segment forming a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the second angle being different from the first angle, and wherein the lower segment has a height that is less than 20% of the height of the TSV.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.Inventors: Arifur Rahman, Bahareh Banijamali
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Publication number: 20130045606Abstract: A method includes providing a wafer and providing a first spray bar spaced a distance from the wafer. A first spray is dispensed from the first spray bar onto a first portion (e.g., half) of the wafer. Thereafter, the wafer is rotated. A second spray is dispensed from the first spray bar onto a second portion (e.g., half) of the rotated wafer. In embodiments, a plurality of spray bars are positioned above the wafer. One or more of the spray bars may be tunable in separation distance and/or angle of dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. ("TSMC")Inventors: Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Sheng Chuang, Ying-Hsueh Chang Chien, Chi-Ming Yang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
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Patent number: 8318607Abstract: A method of performing a single step/single solvent edge bead removal (EBR) process on a photolithography layer stack including a photoresist layer and a top coat layer using propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) or a mixture of PGMEA and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) is disclosed. The single step/single solvent EBR process is compatible with organic and inorganic BARC layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Benjamen Michael Rathsack, Mark Howell Somervell
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Patent number: 8303723Abstract: In a liquid processing apparatus configured to remove, from a substrate including a first film and a second film formed above the first film, the first film and the second film, a first chemical-liquid supply part supplies, to a substrate W, a first liquid for dissolving the first film, a second chemical-liquid supply part supplies a second chemical liquid for weakening the second film, and a fluid supply part serving also as an impact giving part gives a physical impact to the second film so as to break the second film and supplies a fluid for washing away debris of the broken second film. A control device controls the respective parts such that, after the second liquid has been supplied and then the fluid has been supplied from the fluid supply part, the first chemical liquid is supplied.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Teruomi Minami, Fumihiro Kamimura, Kazuki Kosai, Takashi Yabuta, Kenji Yokomizo, Shogo Mizota
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Publication number: 20120276749Abstract: In a method for processing monocrystalline silicon wafers, which are transported while lying flat along a horizontal transport path, etching solution for texturing the surface is applied from above by means of nozzles or the like. The etching solution is applied from above several times in succession onto the upper side of the silicon substrates, remains there and reacts with the silicon substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Gebr Schmid GmbHInventors: Dirk Habermann, Martin Schoch, Maher Izaaryene, Friedhelm Stein
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Patent number: 8283199Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide methods for forming conductive structures on the surfaces of a solar cell. In one embodiment, conductive structures are formed on the front surface of a solar cell by depositing a sacrificial polymer layer, forming patterned lines in the sacrificial polymer via a fluid jet, depositing metal layers over the front surface of the solar cell, and performing lift off of the metal layers deposited over the sacrificial polymer by dissolving the sacrificial polymer with a water based solvent.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Virendra V. S. Rana, Chris Eberspacher, Karl J. Armstrong, Nety M. Krishna
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Publication number: 20120225562Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing noble metal-containing particles from over a substrate. The substrate is exposed to a composition that reduces adhesion between the noble metal-containing particles and the substrate, and simultaneously the substrate is spun to sweep at least some of the noble metal-containing particles off from the substrate. Some embodiments include methods in which tunnel dielectric material is formed across a semiconductor wafer. Metallic nanoparticles are formed across the tunnel dielectric material. A stack of two or more different materials is formed over the metallic nanoparticles. A portion of the stack is covered with a protective mask while another portion of the stack is left unprotected. The unprotected portion of the stack is removed to expose some of the metallic nanoparticles. The semiconductor wafer to is subjected to etchant suitable to undercut at least some of the exposed metallic nanoparticles, and simultaneously the semiconductor wafer is spun.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Brian Dolan
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Patent number: 8257605Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing a coating film capable of stable treatment for removing unnecessary coating film at a substrate edge are provided. A substrate is clamped by approach stages from front and rear directions on a chuck, and fixed when accurate registration thereof is achieved. Then, the substrate edge is moved back and forth together with the chuck and the approach stage, so that the edge of the substrate is introduced in a space between an upper piece and a lower piece of a fixed arm portion. While the substrate is being moved, a solvent is fed from a nozzle portion onto a surface thereof and a purge gas is fed through a purge gas feeding pipe, so as to remove the coating film from the surface of the substrate by sucking and discharging the solvent and dissolved coating film through a discharge pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shinji Kobayashi, Norihisa Koga
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Patent number: 8252638Abstract: A method for forming an empty area under a layer of a given material, including forming on a substrate a stacking of a photosensitive layer and of a layer of the given material; insolating a portion of the photosensitive layer or its complement according to whether the photosensitive layer is positive or negative with an electron beam crossing the layer of the given material; and removing the portion of the photosensitive layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Philippe Coronel, Yves Laplanche, Laurent Pain
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Patent number: 8148271Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a processing chamber for storing a boat supporting multiple substrates and for processing the multiple substrates, a heater unit installed around the processing chamber for heating the substrates, and a coolant gas supply nozzle including a pipe section extending perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate supported in the boat stored in the processing chamber, and a spray hole formed on the pipe section for spraying coolant gas to at least two of the multiple substrates, wherein the coolant gas supply nozzle is formed so that the cross sectional area of the pipe section in the area where the spray hole is formed is larger than the total opening area of the spray hole.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.Inventors: Masaaki Ueno, Akira Hayashida, Masakazu Shimada, Takenori Oka
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Publication number: 20120077348Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshimichi Shiki, Seiji Oda, Hayato Iwamoto, Yoshiya Hagimoto