IP Library Granted Patent US 12686915
Granted Patent B2
US 12686915 · App. 18/413,074 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Substrate processing method

Inventors: Atsuki Fukazawa (Tokyo, JP); Hiroki Maehara (Yamanashi, JP)
Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
C23C16/045C23C16/042C23C16/06C23C16/26C23C16/45555C23C16/50C23C16/56
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12686915
App. No.
18/413,074
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A substrate processing method includes step a), step b), step c), step d), step e), and step f). Step a) is a step of providing a substrate that has a pattern where a protection target film is positioned on a bottom part of the pattern. Step b) is a step of laminating a catalyst film on the protection target film. Step c) is a step of forming a protection film that supports the catalyst film from below and covers the protection target film, in the pattern, by a VLS growth method. Step d) is a step of removing the catalyst film. Step e) is a step of applying a predetermined process to a part of the substrate that is different from the pattern in a state where the protection target film is covered by the protection film. Step f) is a step of removing the protection film in the pattern.

Claims (40)

1 . A substrate processing method, including:

a) a step of providing a substrate that has a pattern where a protection target film is positioned on a bottom part of the pattern;

b) a step of laminating a catalyst film on the protection target film that is positioned on the bottom part of the pattern;

c) a step of forming a protection film that supports the catalyst film from below and covers the protection target film, in the pattern, by a VLS (Vapor Liquid Solid) growth method;

d) a step of removing the catalyst film that is supported from below by the protection film;

e) a step of applying a predetermined process to a part of the substrate that is different from the pattern in a state where the protection target film is covered by the protection film; and

f) a step of removing the protection film in the pattern, wherein

the c) forms the protection film, in the pattern, in a bottom-up manner from the bottom part of the pattern by the VLS growth method.

2 . A substrate processing method, including:

a) a step of providing a substrate that has a pattern where a protection target film is positioned on a bottom part of the pattern;

b) a step of laminating a catalyst film on the protection target film that is positioned on the bottom part of the pattern;

c) a step of forming a protection film that supports the catalyst film from below and covers the protection target film, in the pattern, by a VLS growth method;

d) a step of applying a predetermined process to a part of the substrate that is different from the pattern in a state where the protection target film is covered by the protection film;

e) a step of removing the catalyst film that is supported from below by the protection film; and

f) a step of removing the protection film in the pattern, wherein

the c) forms the protection film, in the pattern, in a bottom-up manner from the bottom part of the pattern by the VLS growth method.

3 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the b) selectively laminates the catalyst film on the protection target film that is positioned on the bottom part of the pattern.

4 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the b) includes:

b-1) a step of modifying a surface of a top part of the pattern to form a lyophobic modification film on the top part of the pattern; and

b-2) a step of supplying a colloidal solution that contains a catalyst to the bottom part of the pattern in a state where the modification film is formed on the top part of the pattern, and subsequently, vaporizing a solvent of the colloidal solution to laminate the catalyst film on the protection target film.

5 . The substrate processing method according to claim 4 , wherein

The b-1) modifies a surface of the top part of the pattern by plasma of a reducing gas or an oxidizing gas.

6 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the b) includes:

b-3) a step of laminating the catalyst film on the top part and a side wall of the pattern and on the protection target film by chemical vapor deposition (Chemical Vapor Deposition: CVD) or atomic layer deposition (Atomic Layer Deposition: ALD); and

b-4) a step of removing a part of the catalyst film that is laminated on the top part and the side wall of the pattern to leave the catalyst film on the protection target film.

7 . The substrate processing method according to claim 6 , wherein

the b-4) selectively removes the part of the catalyst film by isotropic dry etching.

8 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the c) forms the protection film with a film thickness that does not completely embed the pattern, in the pattern, by the VLS growth method.

9 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the protection target film is a metal-containing film or a carbon-containing film.

10 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the catalyst film is a metal film.

11 . The substrate processing method according to claim 10 , wherein

the metal film includes at least one of gallium and gold.

12 . The substrate processing method according to claim 1 , wherein

the protection film is a lamination film that includes at least two films that are selected from a carbon film, a silicon film, a metal film, a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a silicon carbide film, a metal oxide film, a metal nitride film, a metal carbide film, or a set that is composed of these films.