US6551929B1 — Bifurcated deposition process for depositing refr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for forming a layer of material on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, said method comprising: forming a first sub-portion of said layer by placing said substrate in a first processing chamber and serially exposing said substrate to first and second reactive gases to nucleate said substrate with said material, creating a nucleation layer; and forming a second sub-portion of said layer by disposing said substrate in a second processing chamber and employing chemical vapor deposition to subject said nucleation layer to a bulk deposition of said material.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for forming a layer of material on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, said method comprising: forming a first sub-portion of said layer by placing said substrate in a first processing chamber and serially exposing said substrate to first and second reactive gases to nucleate said substrate with said material, creating a nucleation layer; and forming a second sub-portion of said layer by disposing said substrate in a second processing chamber and employing chemical vapor deposition to subject said nucleation layer to a bulk deposition of said material.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging said first processing chamber of said first reactive gas by introducing a purge gas therein, before exposing said substrate to said second reactive gas.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging said first processing chamber of said first reactive gas by pumping said first processing chamber clear of all gases disposed therein before introducing said second reactive gas.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging said first processing chamber of said first reactive gas by introducing a purge gas and subsequently pumping said first processing chamber clear of all gases disposed therein before exposing said substrate to said second reactive gas.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein forming said second sub-portion further includes reducing, within said second processing chamber, a refractory metal containing gas with silane.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein forming a first sub-portion includes alternately exposing the substrate to a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 6 wherein alternately exposing the substrate to a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound further includes subjecting said substrate to a purge gas following the exposure of the substrate to each of the boron-containing and refractory metal containing compounds.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 6 wherein the boron-containing compound is diborane (B 2 H 6 ).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 8 wherein the refractory metal containing compound is tungsten hexafluoride (WF 6 ).

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 7 wherein the purge gas is selected from a group of nitrogen (N 2 ), argon (Ar), hydrogen (H 2 ), and combinations thereof.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for forming a layer on a substrate, said method comprising: serially exposing said substrate to first and second reactive gases while said substrate is disposed in a first processing chamber to form a first sub-portion of said layer by chemisorption to create a nucleation layer; removing from said first processing chamber said first reactive gas before exposing said substrate to said second reactive gas; forming a second sub-portion of said layer, adjacent to said nucleation layer, by chemical vapor deposition while said substrate is disposed in a second processing chamber by concurrently exposing said nucleation layer to said second reactive gas and a reducing agent.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for forming a layer on a substrate, said method comprising: serially exposing said substrate to first and second reactive gases while said substrate is disposed in a first processing chamber to form a first sub-portion of said layer by chemisorption to create a nucleation layer; removing from said first processing chamber said first reactive gas before exposing said substrate to said second reactive gas; forming a second sub-portion of said layer, adjacent to said nucleation layer, by chemical vapor deposition while said substrate is disposed in a second processing chamber by concurrently exposing said nucleation layer to said second reactive gas and a reducing agent.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 11 wherein said second reactive gas includes a refactory metal and said reducing agent includes silane.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 12 wherein said refractory metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 11 wherein removing from said first processing chamber further includes introducing a purge gas into the first processing chamber and pumping said first processing chamber clear of all gases present therein.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said nucleation layer has a thickness in a range of about 10 to about 100 Å.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for forming a layer of material on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, the method comprising: forming a first sub-portion of the layer by placing the substrate in a first processing region and serially exposing the substrate to first and second reactive gases to nucleate the substrate with the material; and forming a second sub-portion of the layer by disposing the substrate in a second processing region and subjecting the first sub-portion to a bulk deposition of the material.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for forming a layer of material on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, the method comprising: forming a first sub-portion of the layer by placing the substrate in a first processing region and serially exposing the substrate to first and second reactive gases to nucleate the substrate with the material; and forming a second sub-portion of the layer by disposing the substrate in a second processing region and subjecting the first sub-portion to a bulk deposition of the material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 16 wherein the first processing region is a first processing chamber and the second processing region is a second processing chamber.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming the second sub-portion further includes reducing, within the second processing chamber, a refractory metal containing gas with silane.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes alternately exposing the substrate to a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the boron-containing compound is diborane (B 2 H 6 ).

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 20 wherein the refractory metal containing compound is tungsten hexafluoride (WF 6 ).

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the purge gas is selected from a group consisting essentially of nitrogen (N 2 ), argon (Ar), hydrogen (H 2 ), and combinations thereof.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the refractory metal in the refractory metal containing compound is selected from a group consisting essentially of titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W).

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein the first portion has a thickness in a range of about 10 to about 100 Å.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging the first processing chamber of the first reactive gas by introducing a purge gas therein.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging the first processing chamber of the first reactive gas by pumping the first processing chamber.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a first sub-portion further includes purging the first processing chamber of the first reactive gas by introducing, into the first processing chamber, a purge gas, and pumping the first processing chamber.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a second sub-portion further includes subjecting the first sub-portion to bulk deposition techniques from a set of deposition techniques consisting essentially of Chemical Vapor Deposition and Physical Vapor Deposition.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 17 wherein forming a second sub-portion further includes subjecting the first sub-portion to a combination of chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition techniques.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for forming one or more layers on a substrate, comprising: forming a first portion of the one or more layers by placing the substrate in a first processing chamber and alternately exposing the substrate to at least first and second precursor gases; and forming a second portion of the layer by disposing the substrate in a second processing chamber and depositing the second portion by one or more of chemical vapor deposition, cyclical vapor deposition, and physical vapor deposition.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 81 words

A method for forming one or more layers on a substrate, comprising: forming a first portion of the one or more layers by placing the substrate in a first processing chamber and alternately exposing the substrate to at least first and second precursor gases; and forming a second portion of the layer by disposing the substrate in a second processing chamber and depositing the second portion by one or more of chemical vapor deposition, cyclical vapor deposition, and physical vapor deposition.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 30 wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one common material.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 31 wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise at least tungsten.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 32 wherein the second portion is formed by chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method as recited in claim 30 wherein forming the first portion further includes purging the first processing chamber of the first reactive gas by introducing a purge gas therein, before exposing the substrate to the second reactive gas.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method as recited in claim 30 wherein forming the first portion further includes purging the first processing chamber of the first reactive gas by pumping the first processing chamber before introducing the second reactive gas.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method as recited in claim 30 wherein forming the first portion further includes introducing a purge gas after the first reactive gas and pumping the first processing chamber before exposing the substrate to the second reactive gas.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 30 wherein forming the second portion further includes reducing, within the second processing chamber, a refractory metal containing gas with silane.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 30 wherein forming the first portion includes alternately exposing the substrate to a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 38 wherein alternately exposing the substrate to a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound further includes subjecting the substrate to a purge gas following exposure to each of the boron-containing compound and the refractory metal containing compound.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 38 wherein the boron-containing compound is diborane (B 2 H 6 ).

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 40 wherein the refractory metal containing compound is tungsten hexafluoride (WF 6 ).

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 39 wherein the purge gas is selected from nitrogen (N 2 ), argon (Ar), hydrogen (H 2 ), and combinations thereof.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 50 words

A method for forming at least a portion of a layer on a substrate comprising: alternately exposing the substrate to first and second gases to form a first portion of the layer; forming at least a second portion of the layer on the first portion by a bulk deposition technique.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 50 words

A method for forming at least a portion of a layer on a substrate comprising: alternately exposing the substrate to first and second gases to form a first portion of the layer; forming at least a second portion of the layer on the first portion by a bulk deposition technique.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 43 wherein the second portion is formed by exposing the substrate to a refractory metal containing gas and a reducing gas.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 44 wherein the refractory metal in the refractry metal containing gas is selected from titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W).

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 43 further comprising introducing a purge gas while serially exposing the substrate to the first and second gases.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the first portion of the layer has a thickness in a range of about 10 to about 100 Å.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 43 wherein the second portion is formed by one or more of chemical vapor deposition, cyclical vapor deposition or physical vapor deposition.

Claim 54

Independent Claim 56 words

A method for forming a layer on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, comprising: forming a first portion of the layer by placing the substrate in a first processing region and alternately exposing the substrate to at least first and second reactive gases; and forming a second portion of the layer by chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 55

Independent Claim 56 words

A method for forming a layer on a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, comprising: forming a first portion of the layer by placing the substrate in a first processing region and alternately exposing the substrate to at least first and second reactive gases; and forming a second portion of the layer by chemical vapor deposition.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method as recited in claim 49 wherein forming the second portion comprises reducing a refractory metal containing gas with a reducing gas.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 49 wherein forming the first portion further includes adsorbing alternating layers of a boron-containing compound and a refractory metal containing compound onto the substrate.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method as recited in claim 51 wherein the boron-containing compound is diborane (B 2 H 6 ).

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 52 wherein the refractory metal containing compound is tungsten hexafluoride (WF 6 ).

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method as recited in claim 51 further comprising delivering a purge gas selected from the group of nitrogen (N 2 ), argon (Ar), hydrogen (H 2 ), and combinations thereof while alternately exposing the substrate to the first and second reactive gases.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method as recited in claim 51 wherein the refractory metal in the refractory metal containing compound is selected from titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W).

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method as recited in claim 50 wherein the first portion has a thickness in a range of about 10 to about 100 Å.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 50 wherein forming the first portion further includes purging the first processing region of the first reactive gas by introducing a purge gas therein.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as recited in claim 50 wherein forming the first portion further includes purging the first processing region of the first reactive gas by pumping the first processing region.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method as recited in claim 50 wherein forming the first portion further includes purging the first processing region of the first reactive gas by introducing, into the first processing region, a purge gas, and pumping the first processing region.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method as recited in claim 50 wherein forming the second portion further includes subjecting the substrate to a combination of chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition techniques.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-04-21	2006-10-21	2007-04-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-04-21	2010-10-21	2011-04-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-04-21	2014-10-21	2015-04-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Bifurcated deposition process for depositing refractory metal layers employing atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition techniques

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