Patents Examined by Keath Chen
  • Patent number: 9074285
    Abstract: A system for detecting unconfined-plasma events in a plasma processing chamber is disclosed. The system may include a sensor disposed in the plasma processing chamber for providing a current when unconfined plasma is present in the plasma processing chamber. The system may also include a converter for converting the current into a voltage and a filter for removing noise from the voltage to provide a first signal. The system may also include a detector for determining presence of the unconfined plasma using an amplified level of the first signal and/or the first signal. The system may also include a conductor for coupling the sensor and the converter to conduct the current from the sensor to the converter. The system may also include a shield for enclosing at least a portion of the conductor to at least reduce electromagnetic noise received by the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Pease, Seyed Jafar Jafarian-Tehrani
  • Patent number: 9072466
    Abstract: A kit, an apparatus, and method are provided for developing a latent print. The apparatus comprises a pellet comprising a substrate impregnated with a sublimation compound, a receptacle, an adapter, and an end cap. The receptacle is open at a first end and detachably connected to a heat source at a second end. The receptacle is designed to receive and accommodate the pellet through the first end of the receptacle. The adapter defines an annular space for transmission of heat from the heat source to the pellet. The first end of the adapter is connected to the second end of the receptacle and the second end of the adapter is in communication with the heat source. The end-cap comprising a mesh window in an annular space of the end-cap allows passage of the fumes released from the pellet through the open end of the end cap towards the latent print for development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Arnold Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9068264
    Abstract: Disclosed is about an epitaxial growth system, including an epitaxial growth reactor chamber, a susceptor including a supporting surface and disposed in the epitaxial growth reactor chamber, and a plurality of wafer fixing elements disposed on the supporting surface. The supporting surface of the susceptor includes a rim, and each of the wafer fixing elements includes a boundary. At least three first heating elements are disposed under the susceptor and arranged in parallel to the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Yang, Chung-Ying Chang
  • Patent number: 9062369
    Abstract: The present invention provides deposition sources, systems, and related methods that can efficiently and controllably provide vaporized material for deposition of thin-film materials. The deposition sources, systems and related methods described herein can be used to deposit any desired material and are particularly useful for depositing high vapor pressure materials such as selenium in the manufacture of copper indium gallium diselenide based photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Wayne Priddy, Chad Michael Conroy
  • Patent number: 9062373
    Abstract: A film deposition apparatus includes a turntable including plural substrate placing areas in the circumferential direction; a gas nozzle provided to extend from an inner edge to an outer edge of the substrate placing area; a gas evacuation port provided outside of an outer edge of the turntable and downstream in a rotational direction of the turntable with respect to the gas nozzle for evacuating the gas; and a regulation member including a wall portion provided between the gas nozzle and the gas evacuation port for isolating the gas nozzle and the gas evacuation port at least at a part between the inner edge to the outer edge of the substrate placing area while having a space extending from the inner edge to the outer edge of the substrate placing area when a substrate is placed on the substrate placing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Shigehiro Ushikubo, Katsuyuki Hishiya
  • Patent number: 9051642
    Abstract: A coating process for coating at least one side of a running substrate, by vacuum evaporation, with a layer of a sublimable metal or metal alloy, in which said metal or metal alloy is positioned so as to face said side of the substrate in the form of at least two ingots placed in contact with one another, that surface of said ingots facing said side of the substrate being kept parallel to the substrate and at a constant distance from the latter during coating, and also to a coating plant for implementing the process and to a feeder for supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal France
    Inventors: Daniel Chaleix, Daniel Jacques, Florent Sponem
  • Patent number: 9039837
    Abstract: A film deposition apparatus includes a processing chamber; a rotary table; process regions provided in the processing chamber and arranged apart from each other in the rotational direction of the rotary table; reaction gas supplying units configured to supply reaction gases of different types to the corresponding process regions; separation regions provided between the process regions; separation gas supplying units configured to supply a separation gas to the separation regions to separate the atmospheres of the process regions; and an exhaust path forming part having openings at positions corresponding to the process regions and configured to form exhaust paths for separately guiding the atmospheres of the process regions from the openings to the corresponding exhaust ports of the processing chamber for exhausting atmospheres of the process regions. The exhaust path forming part is configured such that positions of the openings in the rotational direction are changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Manabu Honma
  • Patent number: 9034105
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a solid precursor in a sublimator such that the solid precursor can be vaporized for saturating a carrier gas. The apparatus may include alternating disks or shelves that form inner and outer passages, as well as spaces between the disks for fluidicly coupling the passages to create a winding, tortuous fluid flow path through the sublimator for optimizing solid vapor saturation. The method may include directing a carrier gas into a sublimation chamber, around the first shelf in the outer passage, over the first shelf in the space, around the second shelf in the inner passage, and back out of the sublimation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Trapti Chaubey, Mindi Xu
  • Patent number: 9023177
    Abstract: A showerhead electrode is provided where backside inserts are positioned in backside recesses formed along the backside of the electrode. The backside inserts comprise a tool engaging portion. The tool engaging portion is formed such that the backside insert further comprises one or more lateral shielding portions between the tool engaging portion and the threaded outside diameter to prevent a tool engaged with the tool engaging portion of the backside insert from extending beyond the threaded outside diameter of the insert. Further, the tool engaging portion of the backside insert comprises a plurality of torque-receiving slots arranged about the axis of rotation of the backside insert. The torque-receiving slots are arranged to avoid on-axis rotation of the backside insert via opposing pairs of torque-receiving slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Randall Hardin, Jonathan Keihl, Duane Lytle
  • Patent number: 9016234
    Abstract: A mask holding device has a replaceable magnetic means, and a deposition apparatus for an organic light emitting device includes the mask holding device. The mask holding device is provided with magnets, and the magnets can be replaced as required so as to change the magnetic force of the mask holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Woo Ko
  • Patent number: 9011635
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a first ground member provided in processing chamber in such a way that at least a portion of the first ground member is exposed to a processing space, wherein the first ground member forms a ground potential; a second ground member provided in an exhaust space of the processing chamber to face the first ground member in such a way that at least a portion of the second ground member is exposed to the exhaust space, wherein the second ground member forms a ground potential; and a ground rod that moves up and down between the first and second ground members and contacts any one of the first or second ground member to adjust a ground state of the first or second ground member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuki Hosaka, Naokazu Furuya, Mitsunori Ohata
  • Patent number: 8999064
    Abstract: A thin film forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes a plurality of vapor deposition sources respectively separated from each other, a plurality of nozzle bodies connected to upper portions of the respective vapor deposition sources, and a plurality of nozzles connected to upper portions of the respective nozzle bodies. A nozzle hole of each of the nozzles is formed on a same vapor deposition line. Thus, according to the embodiment, the first organic material and the second organic material respectively sprayed through a first nozzle hole and a second nozzle hole can be uniformly mixed by disposing the first nozzle hole and the second nozzle on the same vapor deposition line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8992723
    Abstract: For coupling RF power from an RF input of a plasma chamber to the interior of a plasma chamber, an RF bus conductor is connected between the RF input and a plasma chamber electrode. In one embodiment, an RF return bus conductor is connected to an electrically grounded wall of the chamber, and the RF bus conductor and the RF return bus conductor have respective surfaces that are parallel and face each other. In another embodiment, the RF bus conductor has a transverse cross section having a longest dimension oriented perpendicular to the surface of the plasma chamber electrode that is closest to the RF bus conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Material, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl A. Sorensen, Jozef Kudela, Robin L. Tiner, Suhail Anwar, John M. White
  • Patent number: 8986458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma processing apparatus capable of bringing plasma close to a processing target and separating the plasma from the processing target. The plasma processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention has a chamber internally having a holding space 2a in which a processing target object 5 is held, and a plasma space 2b in which plasma is to be formed, a plasma gun 3 for emitting electrons into the plasma space 2b to form the plasma, and at least one pair of position-adjustable opposed magnets 4 for forming a magnetic flux passing across the chamber 2, between the holding space 2a and the plasma space 2b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Chugai Ro Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Akano
  • Patent number: 8986452
    Abstract: A coating installation containing at least one recipient which can be evacuated and which is adapted to accommodate a substrate, at least one gas supply device which is used to introduce at least one gaseous precursor into the recipient and at least one heatable activation element which has a definable longitudinal extension and which is fastened by means of at least one associated mechanical fastening device to be virtually immobile relative to the recipient. In a corresponding method, an electric current can be supplied to the activation element via at least two contact elements and at least one of the contact elements is designed to contact the activation element in alternating contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Tino Harig, Markus Höfer, Artur Laukart, Lothar Schäfer, Markus Armgardt
  • Patent number: 8986455
    Abstract: A thermal evaporation source includes: a crucible configured to contain a volume of evaporant and a vapor space above the evaporant; a manifold body having within it a hollow expansion chamber that is flowably connected to the vapor space via one or more restriction orifices; one or more effusion nozzles flowably connected to the expansion chamber and exiting an outer surface of the thermal evaporation source, the nozzle(s) oriented to direct an evaporant vapor flow out of the source vertically downward, in one or more horizontal directions, or in one or more directions intermediate between horizontal and vertically downward; and a heater capable of heating some or all of the thermal evaporation source to a temperature sufficient to produce the one or more evaporant vapor flows when a vacuum is applied to the thermal evaporation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: JLN Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Birkmire, Gregory M. Hanket
  • Patent number: 8968476
    Abstract: An atomic deposition apparatus is provided for simultaneously loading/unloading a plurality of substrates. The atomic deposition apparatus which may load/unload the plurality of substrates when transmitting the plurality of substrates to a process module, includes a loading/unloading module for loading/unloading a substrate, a process module including a plurality of process chambers for simultaneously receiving a plurality of substrates and performing a deposition process, each of the plurality of process chambers including a gas spraying unit having an exhaust portion by which an exhaust gas is drawn in from inside the process chamber and the drawn in gas is exhausted above the process chamber, and a transfer module including a transfer robot provided between the loading/unloading module and the process module, the transfer robot being adopted for simultaneously holding the plurality of substrates while transporting the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: K.C. Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Chul Shin, Kyung Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 8968473
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a reactor for material deposition. The reactor includes a chamber and at least one gas nozzle. The chamber includes a pair of susceptors, each having a front side and a back side. The front side mounts a number of substrates. The susceptors are positioned vertically so that the front sides of the susceptors face each other, and the vertical edges of the susceptors are in contact with each other, thereby forming a substantially enclosed narrow channel between the substrates mounted on different susceptors. The gas nozzle includes a gas-inlet component situated in the center and a detachable gas-outlet component stacked around the gas-inlet component. The gas-inlet component includes at least one opening coupled to the chamber, and is configured to inject precursor gases into the chamber. The detachable gas-outlet component includes at least one opening coupled to the chamber, and is configured to output exhaust gases from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Silevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Poppe, Yan Rozenzon, Peijun Ding
  • Patent number: 8961692
    Abstract: Provided is an evaporating apparatus that deposits a deposition material onto a treatment object. The evaporating apparatus includes a base, a deposition source, and first and second correction units. The deposition source deposits the deposition material onto the treatment object. The base is disposed separately from the treatment object. The deposition source is placed on a surface of the base. The first and second correction units located between the deposition source and the treatment object. The first and second correction units are disposed on outer regions of the deposition source and face each other. Each of the first and second correction units rotates to control the thickness of a layer formed by the deposition material deposited on the treatment object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Wan Park, You-Min Cha, Jae-Hong Ahn, Won-Seok Cho, Jae-Mork Park, Min-Jeong Hwang
  • Patent number: 8951349
    Abstract: A thin film deposition apparatus including a deposition source having a crucible to contain a deposition material and a heater to heat and vaporize the deposition material; a nozzle unit disposed at a side of the deposition source along a first direction and having a plurality of nozzle slits to discharge the deposition material that was vaporized; a plurality of emission coefficient increasing units disposed toward the nozzle unit within the deposition source and increasing a quantity of motion of the deposition material that is discharged toward the nozzle unit; a patterning slit sheet disposed opposite to the nozzle unit and having a plurality of patterning slits arranged along the first direction; and a barrier plate assembly disposed between the nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet along the first direction, and having a plurality of barrier plates that partition a space between the nozzle unit and the patterning slit sheet into a plurality of sub-deposition spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Choong-Ho Lee, Jung-Min Lee, Jun-Sik Oh