Patents by Inventor David W. Groechel
David W. Groechel 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).
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Patent number: 11848218Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor chamber component cleaning systems may include a receptacle. The receptacle may include a bottom lid that may be an annulus. The annulus may be characterized by an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall. A plurality of recessed annular ledges may be defined between the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall. Each recessed annular ledge of the plurality of recessed annular ledges may be formed at a different radial position along the bottom lid. The cleaning systems may include a top lid removably coupled with the bottom lid about an exterior region of the top lid. The cleaning systems may include a tank defining a volume to receive the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Katty Guyomard, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Shawyon Jafari, Palash Joshi, Moin Ahmed Khan, Kirubanandan Naina Shanmugam, Subhaschandra Shreepad Salkod, Avishek Ghosh, David W. Groechel, Li Wu, Dorothea Buechel-Rimmel
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Patent number: 11776822Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate a cleaning fixture and method to prevent chemical solutions from contacting the various substrate supporting member features and penetrating into the holes and the metal plate of the substrate supporting surface. The cleaning fixture includes a mounting plate having a plurality of thru-holes arranged on a bolt circle and configured to align with a plurality of thread holes disposed in an electrostatic chuck, a recess formed in the mounting plate, and a gas port formed through the mounting plate. A sealed plenum is formed between the recess of the mounting plate and a lower surface of the electrostatic chuck when the electrostatic chuck is coupled to the mounting plate. The gas port is fluidly coupled to the sealed plenum.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Tuochuan Huang, Gang Peng, David W. Groechel, Vijay D. Parkhe, Shinnosuke Kawaguchi, David Benjaminson
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Patent number: 11710647Abstract: Embodiments of a methods and cleaning systems for cleaning components for use in substrate processing equipment are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cleaning system includes a boiler having a heater configured to heat a fluid; a clean chamber fluidly coupled to the boiler via at least one of a gas line and a liquid line, wherein the clean chamber includes one or more fixtures in an interior volume therein for holding at least one component to be cleaned, and wherein the clean chamber includes a heater for heating the interior volume; and an expansion chamber fluidly coupled to the clean chamber via a release line for evacuating the clean chamber, wherein the release line includes a release valve to selectively open or close a flow path between the expansion chamber and the clean chamber, and wherein the expansion chamber includes a chiller and a vacuum port.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Richard Wells Plavidal, Scott Osterman, David W. Groechel, Gang Grant Peng, John Z. Smith
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Patent number: 11661652Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a gas line cleaning system and a method of cleaning gas lines. The gas line cleaning system includes a connector having a first end and a second end, and a fluid system. The fluid system includes a fluid source configured to flow a fluid through a fluid conduit connected to the first end, and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the fluid conduit configured to apply an ultrasonic energy to the fluid conduit to agitate the fluid. The ultrasonic energy creates a mechanical energy that reverberates in the fluid conduit and propagates into the fluid to remove particles that may have formed on an inside surface of a gas line connected to the second end and carry away particles inside the gas line.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Gang Peng, Halbert Chong, Marcus Pereira, David W. Groechel
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Publication number: 20230047031Abstract: One example of the disclosure provides a method of fabricating a chamber component with a coating comprising a yttrium containing material with desired film properties. In one example, the method of fabricating a coating material includes providing a base structure comprising an aluminum containing material. The method further includes forming a coating layer that includes a yttrium containing material on the base structure. The method also includes thermal treating the coating layer to form a treated coating layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Gang Grant PENG, David W. GROECHEL, Han WANG
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Publication number: 20230023764Abstract: Methods and apparatus for surface profiling and texturing of chamber components for use in a process chamber, such surface-profiled or textured chamber components, and method of use of same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes measuring a parameter of a reference substrate or a heated pedestal using one or more sensors and modifying a surface of a chamber component physically based on the measured parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: David W. GROECHEL, Michael R. RICE, Gang Grant PENG, Rui CHENG, Zubin HUANG, Han WANG, Karthik JANAKIRAMAN, Diwakar KEDLAYA, Paul L. BRILLHART, Abdul Aziz KHAJA
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Patent number: 11519071Abstract: One example of the disclosure provides a method of fabricating a chamber component with a coating comprising a yttrium containing material with desired film properties. In one example, the method of fabricating a coating material includes providing a base structure comprising an aluminum containing material. The method further includes forming a coating layer that includes a yttrium containing material on the base structure. The method also includes thermal treating the coating layer to form a treated coating layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Gang Grant Peng, David W. Groechel, Han Wang
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Publication number: 20220238355Abstract: Embodiments of a methods and cleaning systems for cleaning components for use in substrate processing equipment are provided herein. In some embodiments, a cleaning system includes a boiler having a heater configured to heat a fluid; a clean chamber fluidly coupled to the boiler via at least one of a gas line and a liquid line, wherein the clean chamber includes one or more fixtures in an interior volume therein for holding at least one component to be cleaned, and wherein the clean chamber includes a heater for heating the interior volume; and an expansion chamber fluidly coupled to the clean chamber via a release line for evacuating the clean chamber, wherein the release line includes a release valve to selectively open or close a flow path between the expansion chamber and the clean chamber, and wherein the expansion chamber includes a chiller and a vacuum port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Richard Wells PLAVIDAL, Scott OSTERMAN, David W. GROECHEL, Gang Grant PENG, John Z. SMITH
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Patent number: 11378511Abstract: A method for detecting corrosion on a conductive object includes submerging a surface of the conductive object at least partially in an aqueous solution, flowing current through the surface of the conductive object by forming a voltage differential across the surface, varying the voltage differential across the surface while monitoring the current through the surface of the conductive object, determining a total charge corresponding to a corrosion level of the surface of the conductive object based on current versus voltage levels. The corrosion level may further be utilized in selecting a cleaning process to remediate the corrosion of the surface based on the corrosion level and in applying a protective corrosion barrier to on at least part of the surface after the cleaning process.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Gang Grant Peng, Robert Douglas Mikkola, David Britz, Lance Scudder, David W. Groechel
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Publication number: 20220130692Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor chamber component cleaning systems may include a receptacle. The receptacle may include a bottom lid that may be an annulus. The annulus may be characterized by an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall. A plurality of recessed annular ledges may be defined between the inner annular wall and the outer annular wall. Each recessed annular ledge of the plurality of recessed annular ledges may be formed at a different radial position along the bottom lid. The cleaning systems may include a top lid removably coupled with the bottom lid about an exterior region of the top lid. The cleaning systems may include a tank defining a volume to receive the receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Katty Guyomard, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Shawyon Jafari, Palash Joshi, Moin Ahmed Khan, Kirubanandan Naina Shanmugam, Subhaschandra Shreepad Salkod, Avishek Ghosh, David W. Groechel, Li Wu, Dorothea Buechel-Rimmel
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Publication number: 20220108907Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a chamber body including sidewalls and a base. The chamber body may define an interior volume. The systems may include a substrate support extending through the base of the chamber body. The substrate support may be configured to support a substrate within the interior volume. The systems may include a faceplate positioned within the interior volume of the chamber body. The faceplate may define a plurality of apertures through the faceplate. The systems may include a leveling apparatus seated on the substrate support. The leveling apparatus may include a plurality of piezoelectric pressure sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Katherine Woo, Paul L. Brillhart, Jian Li, Shinnosuke Kawaguchi, David W. Groechel, Dorothea Buechel-Rimmel, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Paul E. Fisher, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Joseph J. Farah
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Patent number: 11261533Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of electro-depositing a crystalline layer of pure aluminum onto the surface of an aluminum alloy article. The methods may include positioning the article and an electrode in an electro-deposition solution. The electro-deposition solution includes one or more of an aluminum halide, an organic chloride salt, an aluminum reducing agent, a solvent such as a nitrile compound, and an alkali metal halide. The solution is blanketed with an inert gas, agitated, and a crystalline layer of aluminum is deposited on the article by applying a bias voltage to the article and the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: David W. Groechel, Gang Peng, Robert Mikkola
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Publication number: 20210249280Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate a cleaning fixture and method to prevent chemical solutions from contacting the various substrate supporting member features and penetrating into the holes and the metal plate of the substrate supporting surface. The cleaning fixture includes a mounting plate having a plurality of thru-holes arranged on a bolt circle and configured to align with a plurality of thread holes disposed in an electrostatic chuck, a recess formed in the mounting plate, and a gas port formed through the mounting plate. A sealed plenum is formed between the recess of the mounting plate and a lower surface of the electrostatic chuck when the electrostatic chuck is coupled to the mounting plate. The gas port is fluidly coupled to the sealed plenum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2019Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Tuochuan HUANG, Gang PENG, David W. GROECHEL, Vijay D. PARKHE, Shinnosuke KAWAGUCHI, David BENJAMINSON
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Publication number: 20210183657Abstract: Methods and apparatus for surface profiling and texturing of chamber components for use in a process chamber, such surface-profiled or textured chamber components, and method of use of same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes measuring a parameter of a reference substrate or a heated pedestal using one or more sensors and modifying a surface of a chamber component based on the measured parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: DAVID W. GROECHEL, MICHAEL R. RICE, GANG GRANT PENG, RUI CHENG, ZUBIN HUANG, HAN WANG, KARTHIK JANAKIRAMAN, DIWAKAR KEDLAYA, PAUL L. BRILLHART
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Publication number: 20210156789Abstract: A method for detecting corrosion on a conductive object includes submerging a surface of the conductive object at least partially in an aqueous solution, flowing current through the surface of the conductive object by forming a voltage differential across the surface, varying the voltage differential across the surface while monitoring the current through the surface of the conductive object, determining a total charge corresponding to a corrosion level of the surface of the conductive object based on current versus voltage levels. The corrosion level may further be utilized in selecting a cleaning process to remediate the corrosion of the surface based on the corrosion level and in applying a protective corrosion barrier to on at least part of the surface after the cleaning process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Gang Grant PENG, Robert Douglas MIKKOLA, David BRITZ, Lance SCUDDER, David W. GROECHEL
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Publication number: 20210046587Abstract: A system to provide a texture to a surface of a component for use in a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The system includes an enclosure comprising a processing region, a support disposed in the processing region, a photon light source to generate a stream of photons, an optical module operably coupled to the photon light source, and a lens. The optical module includes a beam modulator to create a beam of photons from the stream of photons generated from the photon light source, and a beam scanner to scan the beam of photons across the surface of the component. The lens is used to receive the beam of photons from the beam scanner and distribute the beam of photons at a wavelength in a range between about 345 nm and about 1100 nm across the surface of the component to form a plurality of features on the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Gang PENG, David W. GROECHEL, Jenn C. CHOW, Tuochuan HUANG, Han WANG
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Publication number: 20210035767Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a method for forming and treating a component in semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, a method for treating a chamber component used in vacuum processing includes obtaining the chamber component including a recess formed in a surface of the chamber component, the surface being fabricated from a metal, and the recess has a depth ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm and a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. The method further includes polishing the bottom surface of the recess using a laser to form a polished bottom surface having an Ra number of 1 micron or less. The laser can achieve high quality surface finishing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Gang Grant PENG, Wai-Fan YAU, David W. GROECHEL, Frank F. HOOSHDARAN, Tom K. CHO, Yao-Hung YANG
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Patent number: 10857625Abstract: A system to provide a texture to a surface of a component for use in a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The system includes an enclosure comprising a processing region, a support disposed in the processing region, a photon light source to generate a stream of photons, an optical module operably coupled to the photon light source, and a lens. The optical module includes a beam modulator to create a beam of photons from the stream of photons generated from the photon light source, and a beam scanner to scan the beam of photons across the surface of the component. The lens is used to receive the beam of photons from the beam scanner and distribute the beam of photons at a wavelength in a range between about 345 nm and about 1100 nm across the surface of the component to form a plurality of features on the component.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Gang Peng, David W. Groechel, Jenn C. Chow, Tuochuan Huang, Han Wang
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Publication number: 20200255946Abstract: One example of the disclosure provides a method of fabricating a chamber component with a coating comprising a yttrium containing material with desired film properties. In one example, the method of fabricating a coating material includes providing a base structure comprising an aluminum containing material. The method further includes forming a coating layer that includes a yttrium containing material on the base structure. The method also includes thermal treating the coating layer to form a treated coating layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Gang Grant PENG, David W. GROECHEL, Han WANG
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Publication number: 20190358746Abstract: A system to provide a texture to a surface of a component for use in a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The system includes an enclosure comprising a processing region, a support disposed in the processing region, a photon light source to generate a stream of photons, an optical module operably coupled to the photon light source, and a lens. The optical module includes a beam modulator to create a beam of photons from the stream of photons generated from the photon light source, and a beam scanner to scan the beam of photons across the surface of the component. The lens is used to receive the beam of photons from the beam scanner and distribute the beam of photons at a wavelength in a range between about 345 nm and about 1100 nm across the surface of the component to form a plurality of features on the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Gang PENG, David W. GROECHEL, Jenn C. CHOW, Tuochuan HUANG, Han WANG