Patents Examined by Benjamin Kendall
  • Patent number: 11456160
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, a high frequency power source is electrically connected to a lower electrode of a supporting table through a power feeding unit. The power feeding unit is surrounded by a conductor pipe outside the chamber. An electrostatic chuck of the supporting table has therein a plurality of heaters. A filter device is provided between the heaters and a heater controller. The filter device includes a plurality of coil groups, each of the coil groups including two or more coils. In each of the coil groups, the two or more coils are arranged such that winding portions of the two or more coils extend in a spiral shape around a central axis and turns of the winding portions are arranged sequentially and repeatedly, and the coil groups are provided coaxially to the central axis to surround the conductor pipe directly below the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Naohiko Okunishi, Katsumi Sekiguchi, Ryuichi Yui
  • Patent number: 11456154
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate treatment apparatus including a process chamber, a supporting unit, a gas supplying unit, and a plasma generating unit. The plasma generating unit may include a power, a primary antenna connected to the power through a first line, a secondary antenna connected to the power through a second line diverging from the first line at a first junction, the primary and secondary antennas being connected in parallel to the power, a third reactance device connected to the power through a third line diverging from the second line at a second junction, the secondary antenna and the third reactance device being connected in parallel to the power, and a variable reactance installed on the second line between the second junction and the secondary antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Jin Park, Hyoseong Seong, Jung Min Won, Doo ho Lim
  • Patent number: 11447868
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatus and method for a tunable plasma process within a plasma processing chamber. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a heater assembly for a plasma processing chamber is disclosed. The heater assembly includes a resistive heating element, a first lead coupling the resistive heating element to an RF filter and a tunable circuit element operable to adjust an impedance between the resistive heating element and the RF filter. Another embodiment provides a method for controlling a plasma process in a plasma processing chamber by forming a plasma from a process gas present inside the plasma processing chamber and adjusting an impedance between a resistive heating element and an RF filter coupled between the resistive heating element and a power source for the resistive heating element, while the plasma is present in the plasma processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Kartik Ramaswamy, Michael G. Chafin, Yang Yang, Anilkumar Rayaroth, Lu Liu
  • Patent number: 11443923
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for fabricating a semiconductor structure, including a chuck, an edge ring surrounding the chuck, wherein the edge ring comprises a cavity, a focus ring adjacent to an edge of the chuck and over the edge ring, and a first actuator in the cavity of the edge ring and engaging with the focus ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Kuang-Kuo Koai, Shih-Kuo Liu, Wen-Chih Wang, Hsin-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11427909
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus for generating a plasma in a processing space of a processing chamber and performing plasma processing on a target object, the apparatus includes an antenna configured to radiate a microwave for plasma generation into the processing chamber through a ceiling plate. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a pressing mechanism provided above the antenna and configured to press the antenna against the ceiling plate by a pressure of fluid supplied thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Shinya Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 11430675
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing tank, a reservoir, a remover, a mixer, and a return path. Etching is performed on a substrate in the processing tank by immersing the substrate in a processing liquid containing a chemical liquid and silicon. The reservoir recovers and stores the processing liquid discharged from the processing tank. The remover recovers a portion of the processing liquid discharged from the processing tank, and removes silicon from the recovered processing liquid. The mixer mixes the processing liquid stored in the reservoir with the processing liquid from which silicon has been removed by the remover. The processing liquid mixed by the mixer is returned to the processing tank through a return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Junichi Kitano, Kouzou Kanagawa
  • Patent number: 11427912
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate processing equipment and rotatable substrate supports incorporating the same are provided herein. In some embodiments, the substrate support may include a pedestal having a substrate receiving surface, a shaft having an upper end, a lower end, and a central opening, where the shaft is coupled to the pedestal at the upper end, a hub circumscribing the shaft, where the shaft is rotatable with respect to the hub, and where the hub includes a first port that extends from an outer surface of the hub to a volume between the hub and the shaft, and a ferrofluid sealing assembly disposed between the hub and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Muhannad Mustafa, Muhammad M. Rasheed
  • Patent number: 11410833
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lower electrode mechanism and a reaction chamber, the lower electrode mechanism includes a base for carrying a workpiece to be processed and a lower electrode chamber disposed under the base, the lower electrode chamber includes an electromagnetic shielding space and a non-electromagnetic shielding space isolated from each other, the chamber of the lower electrode chamber includes a first through hole and a second through hole, and the electromagnetic shielding space and the non-electromagnetic shielding space are respectively connected to outside through the first through hole and the second through hole to prevent a plurality of first components disposed in the electromagnetic shielding space from being interfered by a second component disposed in the non-electromagnetic shielding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING NAURA MICROELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yahui Huang, Gang Wei, Yicheng Li, Xingfei Mao
  • Patent number: 11404272
    Abstract: In a mask pattern forming method, a resist film is formed over a thin film, the resist film is processed into resist patterns having a predetermined pitch by photolithography, slimming of the resist patterns is performed, and an oxide film is formed on the thin film and the resist patterns after an end of the slimming step in a film deposition apparatus by supplying a source gas and an oxygen radical or an oxygen-containing gas. In the mask pattern forming method, the slimming and the oxide film forming are continuously performed in the film deposition apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhide Hasebe, Shigeru Nakajima, Jun Ogawa, Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 11404271
    Abstract: In a mask pattern forming method, a resist film is formed over a thin film, the resist film is processed into resist patterns having a predetermined pitch by photolithography, slimming of the resist patterns is performed, and an oxide film is formed on the thin film and the resist patterns after an end of the slimming step in a film deposition apparatus by supplying a source gas and an oxygen radical or an oxygen-containing gas. In the mask pattern forming method, the slimming and the oxide film forming are continuously performed in the film deposition apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhide Hasebe, Shigeru Nakajima, Jun Ogawa, Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 11404249
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a stage that is disposed in the process chamber and on which a substrate is placeable, a moving mechanism, and a focus ring. The focus ring is disposed on the stage and includes an inner focus ring disposed close to the substrate placed on the stage, a middle focus ring that is disposed outside of the inner focus ring and is movable in a vertical direction by the moving mechanism, and an outer focus ring that is disposed outside of the middle focus ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shuichi Takahashi, Takaharu Miyadate, Takanori Banse, Joji Takayoshi, Rumiko Moriya
  • Patent number: 11387135
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a lift pin assembly used for de-chucking substrates. The lift pin assembly includes a base and one or more lift pin holders. Each lift pin holder includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the base by a metal connector and the second portion is coupled to the first portion by a metal connector. A resistor is disposed in the first portion of the lift pin holder. The second portion includes a lift pin support for supporting a lift pin. The lift pin, the lift pin support, and the metal connectors are electrically conductive. The base is connected to a reference voltage, such as the ground, forming a path for the residual electrostatic charge in the substrate from the substrate to the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Cesar Cotlear, Michael D. Willwerth
  • Patent number: 11387080
    Abstract: A substrate support is provided. The substrate support includes a main body having a substrate supporting region and an annular region surrounding the substrate supporting region. The substrate support further includes a first ring disposed on the annular region and having a through-hole, a second ring disposed on the first ring and having an inner peripheral surface facing an end surface of a substrate on the substrate supporting region. The substrate support further includes a lift pin including a lower rod and an upper rod, wherein the lower rod has an upper end surface to be in contact with the first ring, and the upper rod extends upward from the upper end surface of the lower rod to be in contact with the second ring through the through-hole of the first ring and has a length greater than a length of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Daisuke Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11384431
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a first process chamber where a substrate is subjected to a first process; a second process chamber where the substrate is subjected to a second process; a substrate support unit; a first electrode; a second electrode; an elevating unit; a gas supply unit supplying a first gas, a second gas and a third gas to the substrate; a power supply unit; a control unit controlling the elevating unit, the gas supply unit and the power supply unit so as to: (a) perform the first process by supplying the second gas activated by the first electrode and the first gas to the substrate; (b) move the substrate on the substrate support unit from the first process chamber to the second process chamber after (a); and (c) perform the second process by supplying the third gas activated by the second electrode to the substrate after (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Nakayama, Takeshi Yasui, Masaki Murobayashi, Teruo Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11377730
    Abstract: Provided is a technique capable of suppressing the occurrence of by-products by suppressing adhesion of the by-products. A substrate processing apparatus includes: a reaction tube where a substrate is processed; a furnace opening unit disposed at a lower end of the reaction tube and having an upper surface and an inner circumferential surface, the furnace opening unit including: a concave portion disposed on the upper surface; and a convex portion having at least one notch connecting the concave portion to the inner circumferential surface; a cover covering at least the inner circumferential surface with a predetermined gap therebetween; and a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas to the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Takagi, Shinya Morita, Naonori Akae, Keishin Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11371137
    Abstract: A device for coating an interior surface of a housing defining a volume comprising a plurality of reactant gas sources including reactant gases for one or more surface coating processes; first and second closures to sealingly engage with an inlet and outlet of the volume of the housing to provide an enclosed volume; a delivery line fluidically coupled to the first closure and the plurality of reactant gas sources to deliver the reactant gases to the enclosed volume; and an output line fluidically coupled to the second closure to remove one or more reactant gases, byproduct gases, or both from the enclosed volume. A method for coating an interior surface of a housing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Price, Michael T. Pelletier, Jian Li, William Joseph Soltmann, Christopher Michael Jones, Anthony Herman Van Zuilekom
  • Patent number: 11373843
    Abstract: Disclosed is a capacitively coupled plasma etching apparatus, wherein a lower electrode is fixed to a lower end of an electrically conductive supporting rod, a telescope electrically conductive part is fixed to the lower end of the electrically conductive supporting rod, wherein the retractable electrically conductive part being telescoped along an axial direction of the electrically conductive supporting rod; besides, the lower end of the retractable electrically conductive part is electrically connected with the output end of the radio-frequency matcher via an electrically connection portion. In this way, the height of the lower electrode may be controlled through telescoping of the retractable electrically conductive part, such that the spacing between the upper and lower pads becomes adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED MICRO-FABRICATION EQUIPMENT INC. CHINA
    Inventors: Yunwen Huang, Tuqiang Ni, Jie Liang, Jinlong Zhao, Lei Wu
  • Patent number: 11371145
    Abstract: A method of coating an interior surface of a housing defining a volume includes partitioning the volume into a first zone and a second zone, the first zone isolated from fluid communication with the second zone; introducing one or more reactant gases, plasma, ions, or a combination thereof to the first zone and the second zone; and forming one or more coating layers on all or a portion of the interior surface within the first and second zones via reaction of the reactant gases, the plasma, or the combination thereof. A device for coating an interior surface of a housing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Price
  • Patent number: 11367595
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus capable of achieving a uniform plasma space therein is provided. The plasma processing apparatus includes a processing vessel, a mounting table, a shield member, a shutter for an opening configured to be moved up and down, a first driving unit and a second driving unit. The processing vessel has a sidewall, and the sidewall is provided with a transfer path through which a processing target object is carried-in/carried-out. The mounting table is provided within the processing vessel. The shield member is provided along an inner surface of the sidewall to surround the mounting table and provided with an opening facing the transfer path. The first driving unit is configured to move the shutter up and down. The second driving unit is configured to move the shutter in a forward-backward direction with respect to the shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Masaru Isago
  • Patent number: 11355315
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing chamber, a first radio frequency power source, and a second radio frequency power source. The first radio frequency power source supplies radio frequency power to generate the plasma. The second radio frequency power source applies a first radio frequency voltage to a sample stage. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a third radio frequency power source and a controller. The third radio frequency power source applies, to the sample stage, a second radio frequency voltage having a frequency which is N times a frequency of the first radio frequency voltage in a case where N is a natural number of 2 or more. The controller controls a phase difference such that the phase difference between a phase of the first radio frequency voltage and a phase of the second radio frequency voltage reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiko Ikeda, Naoki Yasui