Patents by Inventor Craig P. Meuchel

Craig P. Meuchel 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: 7138016
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Thomas H. Oberlitner, Craig P. Meuchel, Aleksander Owczarz, Raymon F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7094291
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner, Aleksander Owczarz, Raymon F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6745494
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Publication number: 20030088995
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Patent number: 6543156
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Patent number: 6488038
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning organic material from a semiconductor substrate suppresses the oxidation of a conductive film or layer on the substrate. A semiconductor substrate is immersed within a bath of water. The conductive layer is contacted to a source of electrons. The electrons form a floating charge protecting the conductive layer from oxidation. Ozone gas is introduced into the water bath. In another aspect, the semiconductor substrate is sprayed with water. Organic contaminants or films are oxidized and removed by the ozone, while the conductive or metal layer is preserved. An anode may be placed adjacent to the surface of the semiconductor substrate to passivate the metal layer via current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Craig P. Meuchel, Ian Sharp
  • Publication number: 20020095816
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Patent number: 6375741
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner
  • Publication number: 20020040679
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner
  • Publication number: 20020038629
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner
  • Patent number: 6357142
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Publication number: 20020026729
    Abstract: A system for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Publication number: 20010050041
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. REARDON, CRAIG P. MEUCHEL, THOMAS H. OBERLITNER
  • Patent number: 6286231
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for high-pressure drying of semiconductor wafers includes the insertion of a wafer into an open vessel, the immersion of the wafer in a liquid, pressure-sealing of the vessel, pressurization of the vessel with an inert gas, and then the controlled draining of the liquid using a moveable drain that extracts water from a depth maintained just below the gas-liquid interface. Thereafter, the pressure may be reduced in the vessel and the dry and clean wafer may be removed. The high pressure suppresses the boiling point of liquids, thus allowing higher temperatures to be used to optimize reactivity. Megasonic waves are used with pressurized fluid to enhance cleaning performance. Supercritical substances are provided in a sealed vessel containing a wafer to promote cleaning and other treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Ian Sharp, Craig P. Meuchel, H. Frederick Woods
  • Patent number: 6066575
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner
  • Patent number: 5658387
    Abstract: A semiconductor processor for spray coating wafers or other semiconductor articles. The processor has a compartment in which are mounted a wafer transfer, coating station and thermal treatment station. The coating station has a spray processing vessel in which a movable spray-head and rotatable wafer holder. The spray station has coating viscosity control features. An ultrasonic resonating spray-head is precisely supplied with coating from a metering pump. The heat treatment station heat cures the coating and then cools the wafer. The system allows coatings to be applied in relatively uniform conformational layers upon irregular surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Reardon, Craig P. Meuchel, Thomas H. Oberlitner