Phenolic Stabilizers for Cyclic Alkene Process Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The semiconductor industry faces challenges in maintaining the stability and purity of cyclic alkene derivatives during chemical vapor deposition processes, leading to residue formation and equipment downtime due to the instability of silicon-containing compounds like 1,3,5,7-Tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TMCTS) and 2,5-Norbornadiene (NBDE), which degrade and form oligomers, causing flow issues and film quality problems.

Innovation Solution

A stabilized cyclic alkene composition is developed by incorporating a stabilizer compound of Formula (I), such as phenolic compounds like 4-methoxyphenol, in concentrations greater than 200 ppm up to 20,000 ppm, which effectively reduces residue formation and enhances the stability of cyclic alkenes during both storage and dynamic process conditions, ensuring continuous operation of deposition tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclic alkenes are used without stabilizers, then the process is simpler and cost更低, but the compounds degrade and form oligomers causing residue formation and equipment downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of cyclic alkeneVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A phenolic stabilizer compound is introduced as an intermediary substance to prevent the degradation of cyclic alkene. The stabilizer acts as a mediator between the cyclic alkene and oxygen/impurities, sacrificing itself to prevent oligomerization of the main compound, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The phenolic stabilizer is added in advance to the cyclic alkene composition before the chemical vapor deposition process. This preliminary action prevents degradation during storage and handling, ensuring the compound remains stable and ready for use without requiring complex real-time stabilization systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If stabilizer concentration is increased, then residue formation is reduced, but the cost and complexity of the composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue formationVSAvoidstabilizer concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the stabilizer concentration parameter to a specific range (200-20,000 ppm) where the phenolic compound effectively prevents oligomerization and residue formation. This parameter optimization achieves maximum benefit with minimal stabilizer quantity, balancing effectiveness with cost and composition simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If equipment is operated continuously without maintenance, then productivity increases, but degradation products accumulate causing flow issues and film quality problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment uptimeVSAvoidchemical purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The phenolic stabilizer provides beforehand cushioning by preventing the formation of degradation products during extended equipment operation. This protective action cushions against the accumulation of oligomers that would otherwise cause flow issues and film quality problems, enabling continuous operation without frequent maintenance interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of high concentrations of phenolic stabilizers significantly reduces oligomerization and residue formation, extending the shelf life and process stability of cyclic alkenes, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing by minimizing equipment downtime and maintaining film quality.

Implementation Method 1

stabilized cyclic alkene compositions... one or more stabilizer compounds... reduces residue formation upon evaporation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFree radical scavenging:

Implementation Method 2

chemical vapor deposition (CVD)... The silicon containing compound is then chemically or physically altered (i.e., reacted with another component, or subjected to application of an energy source such as radiation, heat (thermal CVD), or plasma (PECVD), etc.) to deposit a film on the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP3141538B1Improved process stability of NBDE using substituted phenol stabilizers
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 VERSUM MATERIALS US LLC
  • EP3141538B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3141538B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3141538B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A stabilized cyclic alkene composition comprising one or more cyclic alkenes, and at least one stabilizer compound having the Formula (I),          Formula (I)     R1,R2,R3,R4,R5(C6)OH wherein R1 through R5 can each independently be H, OH, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, C1-C8 linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy or substituted or unsubstituted aryl, and wherein the stabilizer compound is present in an amount greater than 200 ppm. A method for forming a layer of carbon-doped silicon oxide on a substrate, which uses the stabilized alkene composition and a silicon containing compound.