With Substrate Handling During Coating (e.g., Immersion, Spinning, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/782)
  • Patent number: 8927058
    Abstract: A photoresist coating process including a first step and a second step is provided. In the first step, a wafer is accelerated by a first average acceleration. In the second step, the wafer is accelerated by a second average acceleration. The first acceleration and the second acceleration are both larger than zero, and photoresist material is provided to the wafer only in the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shou-Wan Huang, Kuan-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 8921237
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method while rotating a turntable provided inside a chamber and including a substrate mounting portion, onto which a substrate can be mounted, to cause the substrate to pass through first and second process areas, into which different gases to be mutually reacted are respectively supplied, including coating the turntable with the film under a state where the wafer is not mounted onto the turntable, the turntable is rotated, and the substrate mounting portion has a predetermined temperature; and processing to deposit the film on the wafer under a state where the wafer is mounted onto the turntable, the turntable is rotated, and the substrate has a temperature equal to or less than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kentaro Oshimo, Masato Koakutsu, Hiroko Sasaki, Hiroaki Ikegawa
  • Patent number: 8912101
    Abstract: A method for forming a silicon-containing dielectric film on a substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD) includes: providing two precursors, one precursor containing a halogen in its molecule, another precursor containing a silicon but no halogen in its molecule, adsorbing a first precursor, which is one of the two precursors onto a substrate to deposit a monolayer of the first precursor; adsorbing a second precursor, which is the other of the two precursors onto the monolayer of the first precursor to deposit a monolayer of the second precursor; and exposing the monolayer of the second precursor to radicals of a reactant to cause surface reaction with the radicals to form a compound monolayer of a silicon-containing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Naoto Tsuji, Atsuki Fukazawa, Noboru Takamure, Suvi Haukka, Antti Juhani Niskanen, Hyung Sang Park
  • Patent number: 8906452
    Abstract: An improved technique achieves a uniform photoresist film on a wafer by controlling the volatility of the solvent in a photoresist solution during the bake process step. Because film formation takes place in the bake rather than the spin steps of the process, the improved technique involves using less viscous and therefore less costly and easier to use resists to cast relatively thick photoresist films. Such control is achieved in an enclosed chamber into which a carrier gas is introduced; the carrier gas mixes with gaseous solvent to create a saturating atmosphere in which the rate of evaporation of solvent decreases. This enables the heating of the wafer without the reduction of solvent in the film so that the photoresist can self-level. When the film has self-leveled, the solvent is then baked off as usual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Hillman
  • Patent number: 8900998
    Abstract: A plating bath for electroless deposition of gold and gold alloy layers on such silicon-based substrates, includes Na(AuCl4) and/or other gold (III) chloride salts as a gold ion source. The bath is formed as a binary bath solution formed from mixing first and second bath components. The first bath component includes gold salts in concentrations up to 40 g/L, boric acid, in amounts of up to 30 g/L, and a metal hydroxide in amounts up to 20 g/L. The second bath component includes an acid salt, in amounts up to 25 g/L, sodium thiosulfate in amounts up to 30 g/L, and suitable acid, such as boric acid in amounts up to 20 g/L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: University of Windsor
    Inventors: Mordechay Schlesinger, Robert Andrew Petro
  • Publication number: 20140342558
    Abstract: A treating section has substrate treatment lines arranged one over the other for treating substrates while transporting the substrates substantially horizontally. An IF section transports the substrates fed from each substrate treatment line to an exposing machine provided separately from this apparatus. The substrates are transported to the exposing machine in the order in which the substrates are loaded into the treating section. The throughput of this apparatus can be improved greatly, without increasing the footprint, since the substrate treatment lines are arranged one over the other. Each substrate can be controlled easily since the order of the substrates transported to the exposing machine is in agreement with the order of the substrates loaded into the treating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroyuki OGURA, Tsuyoshi MITSUHASHI, Yoshiteru FUKUTOMI, Kenya MORINISHI, Yasuo KAWAMATSU, Hiromichi NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8871623
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a nanostructure array. An example method includes providing a first layer, providing nanostructures dispersed in a solution comprising a liquid form of a spin-on-dielectric, wherein the nanostructures comprise a silsesquioxane ligand coating, disposing the solution on the first layer, whereby the nanostructures form a monolayer array on the first layer, and curing the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric to provide a solid form of the spin-on-dielectric. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Karen Chu Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, J. Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 8871301
    Abstract: A coating treatment apparatus includes: a rotating and holding part; a nozzle supplying a coating solution; a moving mechanism moving the nozzle; and a control unit that controls the rotating and holding part, the nozzle, and the moving mechanism to supply the coating solution onto a central portion of the substrate and rotate the substrate at a first rotation speed, then move a supply position of the coating solution from a central position toward an eccentric position of the substrate with the substrate being rotated at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed while continuing supply of the coating solution, then stop the supply of the coating solution with the rotation speed of the substrate decreased to a third rotation speed lower than the second rotation speed, and then increase the rotation speed of the substrate to be higher than the third rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kouzou Tachibana, Takahisa Otsuka, Akira Nishiya
  • Patent number: 8859442
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to production of encapsulated nanoparticles by dispersing said nanoparticles and an encapsulating medium in a common solvent to form a first solution system and applying a stimulus to said first solution system to induce simultaneous aggregation of the nanoparticles and the encapsulating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Imad Naasani, James Gillies, Emma Fitzgerald, Xiaojuan Wang, Ombretta Masala
  • Patent number: 8846145
    Abstract: A liquid processing method forms a coating film by supplying and pouring a coating solution from a coating solution nozzle onto a surface of a substrate held substantially horizontally by a substrate holder. In the liquid processing method, a process for photographing a leading end portion of a coating solution nozzle is provided. When performing a process for anti-drying of the coating solution for a long period of time in advance, a position of the coating solution and a position of an anti-drying liquid are set by using a soft scale displayed on a screen where the photographed image is displayed. Therefore, a dispense control is performed based on a set value without depending on the naked eyes and a control for suppressing the drying of the coating solution in the leading end portion of the coating solution nozzle is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Michio Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20140242810
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a process chamber for processing a substrate; a substrate mounting member including a mounting surface on which a plurality of substrates are concentrically mounted with facing a ceiling of the process chamber; a rotation instrument for rotating the substrate mounting member in a direction parallel to the mounting surface; a gas supply unit and a gas exhaust unit which are disposed in the process chamber above the substrate mounting member upstream and downstream in the substrate mounting member rotating direction, respectively; and a controller for controlling the gas supply unit, the gas exhaust unit, and the rotation instrument to process the substrates, when the substrate passes through a predetermined region formed in the process chamber by the gas supply unit and the gas exhaust unit, by supplying a reactant gas from the gas supply unit and exhausting the reactant gas from the gas exhaust unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC, INC.
    Inventor: Sataoshi TAKANO
  • Publication number: 20140235070
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein provide an apparatus and method of spin coating that inhibits the formation of wind marks and other defects from turbulent fluid-flow, thereby enabling higher rotational velocities and decreased drying times, while maintaining film uniformity. Techniques disclosed herein include a fluid-flow member, such as a ring or cover, positioned or suspended above the surface of a wafer or other substrate. The fluid-flow member has a radial curvature that prevents wind marks during rotation of a wafer during a coating and spin drying process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Derek W. Bassett, Wallace P. Printz, Joshua S. Hooge, Katsunori Ichino, Yuichi Terashita, Kousuke Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 8808798
    Abstract: A coating method includes supplying a coating liquid from a coating nozzle onto a front side central portion of a substrate held on a substrate holding member, rotating the substrate holding member about a vertical axis to spread the coating liquid toward a peripheral portion of the substrate by a centrifugal force and thereby form a film of the coating liquid, forming a liquid film of a process liquid for preventing a contaminant derived from the coating liquid from being deposited or left on a back side peripheral portion of the substrate, and damping a vertical wobble of the peripheral portion of the substrate being rotated, by a posture regulating mechanism, while delivering a gas from delivery holes onto a back side region of the substrate on an inner side of the peripheral portion on which the liquid film is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Koichi Obata, Hiroichi Inada, Nobuhiro Ogata
  • Patent number: 8802488
    Abstract: A substrate depositing system and a method of using a substrate depositing system. A substrate depositing system includes a load-lock chamber for loading and unloading a substrate, at least one transfer chamber connected to the load-lock chamber and including a substrate transfer device configured to vertically transfer the substrate, and a pair of depositing chambers connected to opposite sides of the at least one transfer chamber and including a depositing source and a pair of substrate fixing devices, the substrate transfer device including a pair of substrate installing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Ho Yi, Suk-Won Jung, Seung-Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 8791030
    Abstract: In the present invention, a masking solution is supplied to an edge portion of a front surface of a substrate rotated around a vertical axis to form a masking film at the edge portion of the substrate, a hard mask solution is supplied to the front surface of the substrate to form a hard mask film on the front surface of the substrate, a hard mask film removing solution dissolving the hard mask film is supplied to the hard mask film formed at the edge portion of the substrate to remove the hard mask film formed at the edge portion of the substrate, and a masking film removing solution dissolving the masking film is supplied to the masking film to remove the masking film at the edge portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Fumiko Iwao, Satoru Shimura, Kousuke Yoshihara
  • Publication number: 20140199856
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film including carrying substrates in plural substrate mounting portions formed on a turntable in a peripheral direction by intermittently rotating the turntable, arranging the plural substrate mounting portions in a carry-in and carry-out area, and sequentially mounting the substrates on the substrate mounting portions, depositing a thin film on a surface of each substrate to laminate a reaction product of reaction gases, which mutually react, by repeating a cycle of rotating the turntable to revolve the substrates and alternately supplying the reaction gases onto surfaces of the substrates, reformulating the thin film by heating each substrate sequentially arranged in a heating area adjacent to the carry-in and carry-out area while intermittently rotating the turntable, and carrying each substrate out after sequentially arranging each substrate, the thin film on which is reformulated, in the carry-in and carry-out area by intermittently rotating the turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Toshiyuki Nakatsubo, Shigehiro Miura
  • Publication number: 20140199857
    Abstract: A deposition process for coating a substrate with films of varying thickness on a substrate can be achieve. The thickness of the film deposition can be controlled by the separation between the substrate and a curtain. Different separation distances between the substrate and curtain in the same chemical bath will result in different film thicknesses depositing on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Natcore Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuanchang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140179104
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method while rotating a turntable provided inside a chamber and including a substrate mounting portion, onto which a substrate can be mounted, to cause the substrate to pass through first and second process areas, into which different gases to be mutually reacted are respectively supplied, including coating the turntable with the film under a state where the wafer is not mounted onto the turntable, the turntable is rotated, and the substrate mounting portion has a predetermined temperature; and processing to deposit the film on the wafer under a state where the wafer is mounted onto the turntable, the turntable is rotated, and the substrate has a temperature equal to or less than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kentaro Oshimo, Masato Koakutsu, Hiroko Sasaki, Hiroaki Ikegawa
  • Publication number: 20140179121
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film on substrates using an apparatus including a turntable mounting substrates, first and second process areas above the upper surface of the turntable provided with gas supplying portions, a separation gas supplying portion between the first and second process areas, and a separation area including depositing a first oxide film by rotating the turntable first turns while supplying a first reaction gas, the oxidation gas from the second gas supplying portion, and the separation gas; rotating at least one turn while supplying the separation gas from the first gas supplying portion and the separation gas supplying portion, and the oxidation gas from the second gas supplying portion; and rotating at least second turns to deposit a second oxide film while supplying a second reaction gas from the first gas supplying portion, the oxidation gas from the second gas supplying portion, and the separation gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki IKEGAWA, Masahiko KAMINISHI, Kosuke TAKAHASHI, Masato KOAKUTSU, Jun OGAWA
  • Publication number: 20140179122
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film of forming a doped oxide film including a first oxide film containing a first element and doped with a second element on substrates mounted on a turntable including depositing the first oxide film onto the substrates by rotating the turntable predetermined turns while a first reaction gas containing the first element is supplied from a first gas supplying portion, an oxidation gas is supplied from a second gas supplying portion, and a separation gas is supplied from a separation gas supplying portion, and doping the first oxide film with the second element by rotating the turntable predetermined turns while a second reaction gas containing the second element is supplied from one of the first and second gas supplying portions, an inert gas is supplied from another one, and the separation gas is supplied from the separation gas supplying portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Tachibana, Hiroaki Ikegawa, Yu Wamura, Muneyuki Otani, Jun Ogawa, Kosuke Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140179120
    Abstract: A method of depositing a film of forming an oxide film containing a predetermined element on substrates using an apparatus including a turntable mounting substrates, first and second process areas above the upper surface of the turntable provided with gas supplying portions, a separation gas supplying portion between the first and second process areas, and a separation area including depositing the oxide film by rotating the turntable while supplying a reaction gas containing the predetermined element, the oxidation gas from the second gas supplying portion, and the separation gas; and rotating at least one turn while supplying the separation gas from the first gas supplying portion and the separation gas supplying portion, and the oxidation gas from the second gas supplying portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Jun OGAWA
  • Patent number: 8758855
    Abstract: A coating film forming apparatus that holds a substrate upon a spin chuck and forms a coating film by supplying a chemical liquid upon a top surface of said substrate comprises: an outer cup provided detachably to surround the spin chuck; an inner cup provided detachably to surround a region underneath the substrate held upon the chuck; a cleaning nozzle configured to supply a cleaning liquid for cleaning a peripheral edge part of the substrate, such that the cleaning liquid is supplied to a peripheral part of a bottom surface of the substrate; a cutout part for nozzle mounting, the cutout part being provided to the inner cup to engage with the cleaning nozzle; and a cleaning liquid supply tube connected to the cleaning nozzle, the cleaning nozzle being detachable to the cutout part in a state in which the cleaning liquid supply tube is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ogata, Hiroichi Inada, Taro Yamamoto, Akihiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8735226
    Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Karen Chu Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, J. Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 8716152
    Abstract: A deposition process for coating a substrate with films of a different thickness on front and rear surface of a substrate can be achieve in one growth. The thickness of the film deposition can be controlled by the separation between the substrates. Different separation distances between the substrates in the same chemical bath will result in different film thicknesses on the substrate. Substrates may be arranged to have different separation distances between front and back surfaces, a V-shaped arrangement, or placed next to a curtain with varying separation distances between a substrate and the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Natcore Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuanchang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8697583
    Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the present invention are an oxidation-promoting compositions, methods of forming oxide layers, and methods of fabricating semiconductor devices. In some embodiments of the invention, the oxidation-promoting composition includes an oxidation-promoting agent having a structure of A-M-L, wherein L is a functional group that is chemisorbed to a surface of silicon, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or metal, A is a thermally decomposable oxidizing functional group, and M is a moiety that allows A and L to be covalently bonded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-seok Oh, Kyung-mun Byun, Shin-hye Kim, Deok-young Jung, Gil-heyun Choi, Eunkee Hong
  • Patent number: 8691609
    Abstract: Gas sensor materials and methods are disclosed for preparing and using the same to produce gas sensor structures. Also disclosed are gas sensor structures and systems that employ these disclosed materials. A gas sense-enhancing metal such as platinum may be added to a gas sensitive metal oxide material in a manner that more highly disperses the added platinum than conventional methods so as to more effectively utilize the platinum at a lower concentration, thus achieving a more cost effective solution. An ink vehicle may also be used for deposition of a gas sensitive material (e.g. on the surface of integrated circuit) that is formulated to allow “burn-out” of ink vehicle components at relatively low temperatures as compared to conventional ink vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Smith, Jane Blake, Leon Cavanagh, Raymond Speer
  • Patent number: 8691336
    Abstract: A coating treatment method includes: a first step of discharging a coating solution from a nozzle to a central portion of a substrate while acceleratingly rotating the substrate, to apply the coating solution over the substrate; a second step of then decelerating the rotation of the substrate and continuously rotating the substrate; and a third step of then accelerating the rotation of the substrate to dry the coating solution on the substrate. In the first step, the acceleration of the rotation of the substrate is changed in the order of a first acceleration, a second acceleration higher than the first acceleration, and a third acceleration lower than the second acceleration to acceleratingly rotate the substrate at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Yoshihara, Katsunori Ichino
  • Publication number: 20140087567
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate mounting portion provided in a process chamber and capable of mounting a plurality of substrates in a circumferential direction; a rotating mechanism that rotates the substrate mounting portion at a predetermined angular velocity; dividing structures provided in a radial form from a center of a lid of the process chamber so as to divide the process chamber into a plurality of areas; and gas supply areas disposed between the adjacent dividing structures, wherein an angle between the adjacent dividing structures with one gas supply area interposed is set to an angle corresponding to the angular velocity and a period in which a portion of the substrate mounting portion passes through the gas supply area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki TOYODA, Osamu KASAHARA, Tetsuaki INADA, Junichi TANABE, Tatsushi UEDA
  • Patent number: 8669131
    Abstract: Gas sensor materials and methods are disclosed for preparing and using the same to produce gas sensor structures. Also disclosed are gas sensor structures and systems that employ these disclosed materials. A gas sense-enhancing metal such as platinum may be added to a gas sensitive metal oxide material in a manner that more highly disperses the added platinum than conventional methods so as to more effectively utilize the platinum at a lower concentration, thus achieving a more cost effective solution. An ink vehicle may also be used for deposition of a gas sensitive material (e.g. on the surface of integrated circuit) that is formulated to allow “burn-out” of ink vehicle components at relatively low temperatures as compared to conventional ink vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Smith, Jane Blake, Leon Cavanagh, Raymond Speer
  • Publication number: 20140065843
    Abstract: A method for forming a photoresist layer on a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary includes providing a wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a first cycle at a first speed, while a pre-wet material is dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the first cycle at a second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a second cycle at the first speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the second cycle at the second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer at a third speed, while a photoresist material is dispensed over the wafer including the pre-wet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Chun-Wei Chang, Chih-Chien Wang, Wang-Pen Mo, Hung-Chang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8656858
    Abstract: A device and a method for chemically or electrolytically treating work pieces (1) are proposed in an effort to avoid irregular contours of finest conductive structures, pads and lands as well as bridges (shorts) on the one side or breaks on printed circuit boards on the other side. The device comprises processing tanks (2) for the treating of work pieces and a conveyor system for the transport thereof. The conveyor system comprises at least one transport carriage (18), at least one holding element (14, 25) and at least one connection means (12, 13, 35) between the transport carriage(s) and the holding element(s). The processing tanks adjoined with a clean room zone (3). The work pieces are conveyed through the clean room zone using the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Atotech Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Schneider
  • Patent number: 8652571
    Abstract: A spin coating apparatus that supplies a coating liquid to a substrate and rotating the substrate to form a coating film, has a holding part that holds the substrate mounted thereon in a horizontal position; a rotationally driving source that rotationally drives the holding part about a rotational axis parallel with the vertical direction, thereby rotating the substrate; and a coating liquid supplying part that supplies the coating liquid to the substrate held by the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keisuke Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20140045344
    Abstract: A coater apparatus that coats a substrate with a chemical liquid includes a chemical liquid nozzle, a solvent nozzle, a solvent bath, a dummy dispense port, and an ionizer. The chemical liquid nozzle dispenses the chemical liquid onto the substrate. The solvent nozzle dispenses a solvent onto the substrate. The solvent bath contains a solvent and stores a tip of the chemical liquid nozzle when the chemical liquid nozzle is in standby such that the tip is exposed to a solvent vapor. The dummy dispense port exhausts the chemical liquid being dummy dispensed from the chemical liquid nozzle and stores the solvent nozzle when the solvent nozzle is in standby. The ionizer ionizes an atmosphere around the dummy dispense port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Masashi TERAO
  • Publication number: 20140042440
    Abstract: A passivation layer structure of a semiconductor device is provided, which includes a passivation layer formed of halogen-doped aluminum oxide and disposed on a semiconductor layer on a substrate, in which the semiconductor layer includes indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) or nitride-based III-V compounds. A method for forming the passivation layer structure of a semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wen-Ching SUN, Tzer-Shen LIN, Sheng-Min YU
  • Publication number: 20140034961
    Abstract: The terminating layer that covers the top layer of a GaN-based semiconductor having a principal surface which is either a non-polar plane or a semi-polar plane, is removed by performing an organic solvent cleaning process step, and replaced with an organic solvent cleaned layer. Next, by irradiating the semiconductor with an ultraviolet ray, the organic solvent cleaned layer is removed to form a surface-modified layer instead. By performing these process steps, the top layer of the GaN-based semiconductor becomes the surface-modified layer and an electrical polarity is given to the surface of the GaN-based semiconductor. As a result, the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity and wettability of the GaN-based semiconductor can be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki FUJIKANE, Akira INOUE, Toshiya YOKOGAWA
  • Publication number: 20140017905
    Abstract: A film deposition apparatus that laminates layers of reaction product by repeating cycles of sequentially supplying process gases that mutually reacts in a vacuum atmosphere includes a turntable receiving a substrate, process gas supplying portions supplying mutually different process gases to separated areas arranged in peripheral directions, and a separation gas supplying portion separating the process gases, wherein at least one process gas supplying portion extends between peripheral and central portions of the turntable and includes a gas nozzle discharging one process gas toward the turntable and a current plate provided on an upstream side to allow the separation gas to flow onto its upper surface, wherein a gap between the current plate and the turntable is gradually decreased from a central side of the turntable to a peripheral side of the turntable, and the gap is smaller on the peripheral side by 1 mm or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Shigehiro Miura
  • Patent number: 8629066
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a through-semiconductor via (TSV) opening extending into the semiconductor substrate; and a TSV liner in the TSV opening. The TSV liner includes a sidewall portion on a sidewall of the TSV opening and a bottom portion at a bottom of the TSV opening. The bottom portion of the TSV liner has a bottom height greater than a middle thickness of the sidewall portion of the TSV liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Yu Lo, Hung-Jung Tu, Hai-Ching Chen, Tien-I Bao, Wen-Chih Chiou, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Patent number: 8629055
    Abstract: A coating solution of SOG is applied on a silicon oxynitride film (11) and precured. As a result, moisture contained in the coating solution volatilizes, and an SOG film (12) is formed. Next, a coating solution of SOG is applied on the SOG film (12) and precured. As a result, an SOG film (13) is formed. Thereafter, a coating solution of SOG is applied on the SOG film (13) and precured. As a result, an SOG film (14) is formed. Subsequently, a main cure of the SOG films (12, 13, and 14) is performed. The viscosity of the coating solution of SOG used for forming the SOG film (12) is lower than those of the coating solutions of SOG used for forming the SOG films (13 and 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Tsukasa Sato, Kouichi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20140011370
    Abstract: A method of operating a film deposition apparatus including a turntable provided in a vacuum chamber and configured to rotate a substrate mounted thereon, a first reaction gas supplying portion, a second reaction gas supplying portion, a separation area, a first vacuum evacuation port for mainly evacuating the first reaction gas, a second vacuum evacuation port for mainly evacuating the second reaction gas, and a cleaning gas supplying portion for supplying a cleaning gas to clean the turntable, the method includes a cleaning step of supplying the cleaning gas from the cleaning gas supplying portion into the vacuum chamber while terminating the evacuation from the first vacuum evacuation port and performing the evacuation from the second vacuum evacuation port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Shigehiro Miura
  • Publication number: 20130337658
    Abstract: A film deposition method includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, a first reaction gas is supplied from a first gas supply part to a first process area, and a second reaction gas capable of reacting with the first reaction gas is supplied from a second gas supply part to a second process area, while rotating a turntable and supplying a separation gas to separate the first process area and the second process area from each other. In the second step, the second reaction gas is supplied from the second gas supply part to the second process area without supplying the first reaction gas from the first gas supply part for a predetermined period, while rotating the turntable and supplying the separation gas to separate the first process area and the second process area from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ikegawa, Masahiko Kaminishi, Yoshinobu Ise, Jun Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20130337642
    Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Karen Chu Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, J. Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 8603923
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dipping solution used in a process for producing a siliceous film. The present invention provides a dipping solution and a siliceous film-production process employing the solution. The dipping solution enables to form a homogeneous siliceous film even in concave portions of a substrate having concave portions and convex portions. The substrate is coated with a polysilazane composition, and then dipped in the solution before fire. The dipping solution comprises hydrogen peroxide, a foam-deposit inhibitor, and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Masanobu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8580340
    Abstract: After a solvent is discharged onto a substrate in a period from a time point t0 to a time point t1, rotation of the substrate is started at a time point t2. A resist liquid is discharged onto a center portion of a target surface of the substrate at a time point t3. A rotation speed of the substrate starts to decrease at a time point t4, and attains a first speed after a certain period of time. The discharge of the resist liquid is stopped at a time point t5. The rotation of the substrate is accelerated in a period from a time point t6 to a time point t7, and the rotation speed of the substrate attains a second speed at the time point t7. The rotation of the substrate is decelerated in a period from the time point t7 to a time point t8, and the rotation speed of the substrate attains a third speed at the time point t8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Imamura, Akihiro Hisai, Hidetoshi Sagawa
  • Publication number: 20130295777
    Abstract: A substrate is rotated at a first rotation number (first step). The rotation of the substrate is decelerated to 1500 rpm that is a second rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the second rotation number for 0.5 seconds (second step). The rotation of the substrate is further decelerated to a third rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the third rotation number (third step). The rotation of the substrate is accelerated to a fourth rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the fourth rotation number (fourth step). A resist solution is continuously supplied to a center portion of the substrate from a middle of the first step to a middle of the third step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Katsunori ICHINO, Koji TAKAYANAGI, Tomohiro NODA
  • Patent number: 8574674
    Abstract: A substrate is first rotated at a first rotation speed, and a resist solution is applied. Rotation of the substrate is decelerated to a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed so that the substrate is rotated at the low speed to smooth the resist solution on the substrate. Rotation of the substrate is then accelerated to a third rotation speed higher than the second rotation speed, and a solvent for the coating solution and/or a dry gas are/is supplied to the resist solution on the substrate. The solvent gas is supplied to a portion of the resist solution on the substrate thicker than a set thickness, and the dry gas is supplied to a portion of the coating solution on the substrate thinner than the set thickness. This thins the thicker portion of the resist solution and thickens the thinner portion to uniform the resist solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130288485
    Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric layer is described. The method first deposits an initially-flowable layer on a substrate. The initially-flowable layer is then densified by exposing the substrate to a high-density plasma (HDP). Essentially no additional material is deposited on the initially-flowable layer, in embodiments, but the impact of the accelerated ionic species serves to condense the layer and increase the etch tolerance of the processed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jingmei Liang, Sukwon Hong, Jun Tae Choi
  • Publication number: 20130277808
    Abstract: This invention relates to a dipping solution used in a process for producing a siliceous film. The present invention provides a dipping solution and a siliceous film-production process employing the solution. The dipping solution enables to form a homogeneous siliceous film even in concave portions of a substrate having concave portions and convex portions. The substrate is coated with a polysilazane composition, and then dipped in the solution before fire. The dipping solution comprises hydrogen peroxide, a foam-deposit inhibitor, and a solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AZ ELECTRONIC MATERIALS USA CORP.
    Inventor: Masanobu HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8563443
    Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric film having at least Si—N, Si—C, or Si—B bonds on a semiconductor substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD), includes: supplying a precursor in a pulse to adsorb the precursor on a surface of a substrate; supplying a reactant gas in a pulse over the surface without overlapping the supply of the precursor; reacting the precursor and the reactant gas on the surface; and repeating the above steps to form a dielectric film having at least Si—N, Si—C, or Si—B bonds on the substrate. The precursor has at least one Si—C or Si—N bond, at least one hydrocarbon, and at least two halogens attached to silicon in its molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventor: Atsuki Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 8551563
    Abstract: A coating method includes holding a substrate in a horizontal state on a substrate holding member; supplying a coating liquid onto a front side central portion of the substrate held on the substrate holding member; rotating the substrate holding member about a vertical axis to spread the coating liquid supplied on the front side central portion of the substrate toward a front side peripheral portion of the substrate by a centrifugal force; and damping a wobble of the substrate being rotated, by a wobble damping mechanism including a gas delivery port and a suction port both disposed to face a back side of the substrate, while delivering a gas from the delivery port and sucking the gas into the suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Koichi Obata, Hiroichi Inada, Nobuhiro Ogata
  • Publication number: 20130260574
    Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hirofumi MASUHARA, Kenichiro ARAI, Masahiro MIYAGI, Toru ENDO