Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thomason, Moser & Patterso
  • Patent number: 6232236
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plasma in a plasma processing system. The apparatus comprises a wafer support pedestal surrounded by a process kit that is driven by an RF signal. Both an electrode (cathode) in the pedestal and the process kit are driven with an RF signal to establish a primary plasma above the pedestal and a secondary plasma above the process kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongqing Shan, Claes Bjorkman, Paul Luscher, Richard Mett, Michael Welch
  • Patent number: 6210485
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and process for the vaporization of liquid precursors and deposition of a film on a suitable substrate. Particularly contemplated is an apparatus and process for the vaporization of a metal-oxide film, such as a barium, strontium, titanium oxide (BST) film, for deposition on a silicon wafer to make integrated circuit capacitors useful in high capacity dynamic memory modules. The vaporizer comprises thermally controlled components which are adapted for easy assembly and disassembly. A main vaporizing section provides a large heated surface for flash vaporization. A high conductance blocker is disposed at a lower end of the vaporizer to provide an extended vaporization surface. Optionally, a filter may be employed to capture unvaporized precursor droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zhao, Lee Luo, Xiaoliang Jin, Frank Chang, Charles Dornfest, Po Tang
  • Patent number: 6197167
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for depositing a metal film on a substrate, comprising generating a high density plasma in a chamber, sputtering metal particles from a target to the substrate, and applying a modulated radio frequency (RF) bias to the substrate during deposition. Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for depositing a metal film on a substrate comprising a high density plasma physical vapor deposition (HDP PVD) chamber and a controller to modulate a RF bias power applied to a substrate in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoichiro Tanaka