Patents by Inventor Afshin Nickhou

Afshin Nickhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7234477
    Abstract: One of many embodiments of a substrate preparation system is provided which includes a head having a head surface where the head surface is proximate to a surface of the substrate. The system also includes a first conduit for delivering a first fluid to the surface of the substrate through the head, and a second conduit for delivering a second fluid to the surface of the substrate through the head, where the second fluid is different than the first fluid. The system also includes a third conduit for removing each of the first fluid and the second fluid from the surface of the substrate where the first conduit, the second conduit and the third conduit act substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. de Larios, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fritz Redeker, James P. Garcia, Afshin Nickhou
  • Patent number: 6866051
    Abstract: A megasonic module for substrate processing is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include a tank configured to hold processing fluids in which the substrate is submerged, and a lid configured to mate with and seal the tank. At least two megasonic transducers are positioned within the megasonic module to direct megasonic energy to each of an active surface and a backside surface of the substrate. A pair of drive wheels are configured to receive an edge of the substrate to support and rotate the substrate in a horizontal orientation between the at least two megasonic transducers. The substrate is supported against the pair of drive wheels by a substrate stabilizing arm/wheel which also allows the rotation of the substrate. A drive motor is configured to rotate the pair of drive wheels, and a fluid recirculation system provides for temperature control and use of a plurality of processing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Afshin Nickhou, Randolph E. Treur, Michael Ravkin
  • Patent number: 6851436
    Abstract: A system and method for re-circulating processing fluids in a substrate processing system is provided. A fluid re-circulation system for a brush box processing tool includes a supply tank into which processing chemicals, DI water, or other processing fluids are introduced into the system from an external source. Processing chemicals are provided to the brush box and dispensed to process a substrate. Dispensed fluids drain from the brush box into a diverter through which fluids either flow to waste, or into a collection tank. Fluids from the collection tank flow into the supply tank to re-circulate for wafer processing. The re-circulation system includes filters for maintaining chemical purity, and chemical concentration is monitored and adjusted as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ravkin, John deLarios, Afshin Nickhou, Katrina Mikhaylichenko, James P. Garcia