Patents by Inventor Benjamin B. Riordon

Benjamin B. Riordon 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: 11975422
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for devices and methods for retaining optical devices. The devices and methods described herein provide for retention of the substrate without contacting sensitive portions of the substrate. The devices and methods utilize retention pads or vacuum pins to contact the exclusion zones i.e., inactive areas of the substrate to retain the substrate and prevent the substrate from moving laterally. Additionally, a holding force retains the substrate in the vertical direction, without contacting the substrate. The methods provide for adjusting the devices to account for multiple geometries of the substrate. The methods further provide for adjusting the devices, such as adjusting a gap between the optical device and a suction pad, to alter the holding force of the devices on the optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaseer Arafath Ahamed, Kangkang Wang, Benjamin B. Riordon, James D. Strassner, Ludovic Godet
  • Publication number: 20240075492
    Abstract: An optical device coating assembly is provided. The optical device coating assembly includes a substrate support operable to retain an optical device substrate. The coating assembly further includes a first actuator connected to the substrate support. The first actuator is configured to rotate the substrate support. The coating assembly includes a holder configured to hold a coating applicator against an edge of the optical device substrate when the optical device substrate is rotated on the substrate support and a second actuator operable to apply a force on the holder in a direction towards the substrate support. The second actuator is a constant force actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Kangkang WANG, Yaseer Arafath AHAMED, Yige GAO, Benjamin B. RIORDON, Rami HOURANI, James D. STRASSNER, Ludovic GODET, Thinh NGUYEN
  • Patent number: 11850621
    Abstract: An optical device coating assembly is provided. The optical device coating assembly includes a substrate support operable to retain an optical device substrate. The coating assembly further includes a first actuator connected to the substrate support. The first actuator is configured to rotate the substrate support. The coating assembly includes a holder configured to hold a coating applicator against an edge of the optical device substrate when the optical device substrate is rotated on the substrate support and a second actuator operable to apply a force on the holder in a direction towards the substrate support. The second actuator is a constant force actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kangkang Wang, Yaseer Arafath Ahamed, Yige Gao, Benjamin B. Riordon, Rami Hourani, James D. Strassner, Ludovic Godet, Thinh Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230352336
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to carrier assemblies that can clamp more than one optical device substrates and methods for forming the carrier assemblies. The carrier assembly includes a carrier, one or more substrates, and a mask. The carrier is magnetically coupled to the mask to retain the one or more substrates. The carrier assembly is used for supporting and transporting the one or more substrates during processing. The carrier assembly is also used for masking the one or more substrates during PVD processing. Methods for assembling the carrier assembly in a build chamber are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin B. RIORDON, James D. STRASSNER
  • Patent number: 11715662
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to carrier assemblies that can clamp more than one optical device substrates and methods for forming the carrier assemblies. The carrier assembly includes a carrier, one or more substrates, and a mask. The carrier is magnetically coupled to the mask to retain the one or more substrates. The carrier assembly is used for supporting and transporting the one or more substrates during processing. The carrier assembly is also used for masking the one or more substrates during PVD processing. Methods for assembling the carrier assembly in a build chamber are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Riordon, James D. Strassner
  • Patent number: 11698506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a carrier mechanism for retaining optical devices. The carrier mechanism includes adjacent tray assemblies stacked such that a plurality of optical device lenses are retained therebetween. The carrier mechanism retains the plurality of optical device lenses without damaging the plurality of optical device lenses by contacting corners of the optical device lenses. The plurality of optical device lenses are retained with a plurality of support pins and a plurality of capture pins disposed in the tray assemblies. Each tray includes a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical device lenses such that fluids may contact the plurality of optical device lenses. The carrier mechanism may be utilized in multiple processing methods of the plurality of optical device lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Riordon, Kangkang Wang
  • Publication number: 20230203647
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to forming multi-depth films for the fabrication of optical devices. One embodiment includes disposing a base layer of a device material on a surface of a substrate. One or more mandrels of the device material are disposed on the base layer. The disposing the one or more mandrels includes positioning a mask over of the base layer. The device material is deposited with the mask positioned over the base layer to form an optical device having the base layer with a base layer depth and the one or more mandrels having a first mandrel depth and a second mandrel depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Karl J. ARMSTRONG, Ludovic GODET, Brian Alexander COHEN, Wayne MCMILLAN, James D. STRASSNER, Benjamin B. RIORDON
  • Publication number: 20230094653
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for devices and methods for retaining optical devices. The devices and methods described herein provide for retention of the substrate without contacting sensitive portions of the substrate. The devices and methods utilize retention pads or vacuum pins to contact the exclusion zones i.e., inactive areas of the substrate to retain the substrate and prevent the substrate from moving laterally. Additionally, a holding force retains the substrate in the vertical direction, without contacting the substrate. The methods provide for adjusting the devices to account for multiple geometries of the substrate. The methods further provide for adjusting the devices, such as adjusting a gap between the optical device and a suction pad, to alter the holding force of the devices on the optical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yaseer Arafath AHAMED, Kangkang WANG, Benjamin B. RIORDON, James D. STRASSNER, Ludovic GODET
  • Patent number: 11524392
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for devices and methods for retaining optical devices. The devices and methods described herein provide for retention of the substrate without contacting sensitive portions of the substrate. The devices and methods utilize retention pads or vacuum pins to contact the exclusion zones i.e., inactive areas of the substrate to retain the substrate and prevent the substrate from moving laterally. Additionally, a holding force retains the substrate in the vertical direction, without contacting the substrate. The methods provide for adjusting the devices to account for multiple geometries of the substrate. The methods further provide for adjusting the devices, such as adjusting a gap between the optical device and a suction pad, to alter the holding force of the devices on the optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaseer Arafath Ahamed, Kangkang Wang, Benjamin B. Riordon, James D. Strassner, Ludovic Godet
  • Publication number: 20220212223
    Abstract: An optical device coating assembly is provided. The optical device coating assembly includes a substrate support operable to retain an optical device substrate. The coating assembly further includes a first actuator connected to the substrate support. The first actuator is configured to rotate the substrate support. The coating assembly includes a holder configured to hold a coating applicator against an edge of the optical device substrate when the optical device substrate is rotated on the substrate support and a second actuator operable to apply a force on the holder in a direction towards the substrate support. The second actuator is a constant force actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kangkang WANG, Yaseer Arafath AHAMED, Yige GAO, Benjamin B. RIORDON, Rami HOURANI, James D. STRASSNER, Ludovic GODET, Thinh NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20220189815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to carrier assemblies that can clamp more than one optical device substrates and methods for forming the carrier assemblies. The carrier assembly includes a carrier, one or more substrates, and a mask. The carrier is magnetically coupled to the mask to retain the one or more substrates. The carrier assembly is used for supporting and transporting the one or more substrates during processing. The carrier assembly is also used for masking the one or more substrates during PVD processing. Methods for assembling the carrier assembly in a build chamber are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin B. RIORDON, James D. STRASSNER
  • Publication number: 20220163792
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a carrier mechanism for retaining optical devices. The carrier mechanism includes adjacent tray assemblies stacked such that a plurality of optical device lenses are retained therebetween. The carrier mechanism retains the plurality of optical device lenses without damaging the plurality of optical device lenses by contacting corners of the optical device lenses. The plurality of optical device lenses are retained with a plurality of support pins and a plurality of capture pins disposed in the tray assemblies. Each tray includes a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of optical device lenses such that fluids may contact the plurality of optical device lenses. The carrier mechanism may be utilized in multiple processing methods of the plurality of optical device lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Riordon, Kangkang Wang
  • Publication number: 20220161396
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for devices and methods for retaining optical devices. The devices and methods described herein provide for retention of the substrate without contacting sensitive portions of the substrate. The devices and methods utilize retention pads or vacuum pins to contact the exclusion zones i.e., inactive areas of the substrate to retain the substrate and prevent the substrate from moving laterally. Additionally, a holding force retains the substrate in the vertical direction, without contacting the substrate. The methods provide for adjusting the devices to account for multiple geometries of the substrate. The methods further provide for adjusting the devices, such as adjusting a gap between the optical device and a suction pad, to alter the holding force of the devices on the optical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Yaseer Arafath AHAMED, Kangkang WANG, Benjamin B. RIORDON, James D. STRASSNER, Ludovic GODET
  • Patent number: 11315806
    Abstract: Wafer cassettes and methods of use that provide heating a cooling to a plurality of wafers to decrease time between wafer switching in a processing chamber. Wafers are supported on a wafer lift which can move all wafers together or on independent lift pins which can move individual wafers for heating and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, Paul E. Pergande, Benjamin B. Riordon, David Blahnik, William T. Weaver
  • Patent number: 11306824
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an isolation device for use in processing systems. The isolation device has a body with an inlet opening disposed at a first end coupled to a processing system component such as a remote plasma source and outlet openings, for example two, disposed at a second end which are coupled to a processing system component such as a process chamber. Flaps disposed within the body are actuatable to an open position from a closed position or to a closed position from an open position, to selectively allow or prevent passage of a fluid from the processing system component coupled to the isolation device to the other processing system component coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Riordon, Charles T. Carlson, Aaron Webb, Gary Wyka
  • Patent number: 11264258
    Abstract: Buffer chamber including robots, a carousel and at least one heating module for use with a batch processing chamber are described. Robot configurations for rapid and repeatable movement of wafers into and out of the buffer chamber and cluster tools incorporating the buffer chambers and robots are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Weaver, Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, David Blahnik, Benjamin B. Riordon, Paul E. Pergande
  • Patent number: 10969029
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure generally relate to a flapper valve. The flapper valve may be used with processing chambers, such as semiconductor substrate processing chambers. In one embodiment, a flapper valve includes a housing having a first opening at a first end thereof and a second opening at a second end thereof, a first flapper pivotably disposed in the housing, and a second flapper pivotably disposed in the housing. The first and second flappers are movable to selectively open and close at least one of the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Carlson, Tammy Jo Pride, Benjamin B. Riordon, Aaron Webb
  • Publication number: 20200279763
    Abstract: Buffer chamber including robots, a carousel and at least one heating module for use with a batch processing chamber are described. Robot configurations for rapid and repeatable movement of wafers into and out of the buffer chamber and cluster tools incorporating the buffer chambers and robots are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Weaver, Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, David Blahnik, Benjamin B. Riordon, Paul E. Pergande
  • Publication number: 20200217423
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an isolation device for use in processing systems. The isolation device has a body with an inlet opening disposed at a first end coupled to a processing system component such as a remote plasma source and outlet openings, for example two, disposed at a second end which are coupled to a processing system component such as a process chamber. Flaps disposed within the body are actuatable to an open position from a closed position or to a closed position from an open position, to selectively allow or prevent passage of a fluid from the processing system component coupled to the isolation device to the other processing system component coupled thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin B. RIORDON, Charles T. CARLSON, Aaron WEBB, Gary WYKA
  • Patent number: 10699930
    Abstract: Buffer chamber including robots, a carousel and at least one heating module for use with a batch processing chamber are described. Robot configurations for rapid and repeatable movement of wafers into and out of the buffer chamber and cluster tools incorporating the buffer chambers and robots are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Weaver, Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, David Blahnik, Benjamin B. Riordon, Paul E. Pergande