Patents by Inventor Diwakar Kedlaya

Diwakar Kedlaya 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: 11527408
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides forming nanostructures utilizing multiple patterning process with good profile control and feature transfer integrity. In one embodiment, a method for forming features on a substrate includes forming a first mandrel layer on a material layer disposed on a substrate. A first spacer layer is conformally formed on sidewalls of the first mandrel layer, wherein the first spacer layer comprises a doped silicon material. The first mandrel layer is selectively removed while keeping the first spacer layer. A second spacer layer is conformally formed on sidewalls of the first spacer layer and selectively removing the first spacer layer while keeping the second spacer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu-shun Yang, Rui Cheng, Karthik Janakiraman, Zubin Huang, Diwakar Kedlaya, Meenakshi Gupta, Srinivas Guggilla, Yung-chen Lin, Hidetaka Oshio, Chao Li, Gene Lee
  • Patent number: 11495483
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate platform. The substrate platform may be characterized by an upper surface. The platform may define a purge aperture. The platform may include a plurality of mesas that are disposed in an inner region of the upper surface. Each of the mesas may protrude upward from the upper surface. The platform may include a sealing band that extends upward from the upper surface in a circumferential pattern and partially encircles the inner region of the upper surface. Top surfaces of the mesas and sealing band may form a support surface for a substrate. The sealing band may define a number of gaps. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body, a heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body, and a backside gas source that is coupled with the purge aperture of the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20220285232
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling concentration profiles of deposited films using machine learning are provided. Data associated with a target concentration profile for a film to be deposited on a surface of a substrate during a deposition process for the substrate is provided as input to a trained machine learning model. One or more outputs of the trained machine learning model are obtained. Process recipe data identifying one or more sets of deposition process settings is determined from the one or more outputs. For each set of deposition process setting, an indication of a level of confidence that a respective set of deposition process settings corresponds to the target concentration profile for the film to be deposited on the substrate is also determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Anton V. Baryshnikov, Aykut Aydin, Zubin Huang, Rui Cheng, Yi Yang, Diwakar Kedlaya, Venkatanarayana Shankaramurthy, Krishna Nittala, Karthik Janakiraman
  • Patent number: 11430641
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include forming a plasma of a fluorine-containing precursor. The methods may include performing a chamber clean in a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The processing region may be at least partially defined between a faceplate and a substrate support. The methods may include generating aluminum fluoride during the chamber clean. The methods may include contacting surfaces within the processing region with a carbon-containing precursor. The methods may include volatilizing aluminum fluoride from the surfaces of the processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivien Chua, Prashant Kumar Kulshreshtha, Zhijun Jiang, Fang Ruan, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20220199373
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers include a chamber body defining a processing region. The chambers may include a substrate support disposed within the processing region. The substrate support may have an upper surface that defines a recessed substrate seat. The chambers may include a shadow ring disposed above the substrate seat and the upper surface. The shadow ring may extend about a peripheral edge of the substrate seat. The chambers may include bevel purge openings defined within the substrate support proximate the peripheral edge. A bottom surface of the shadow ring may be spaced apart from a top surface of the upper surface to form a purge gas flow path that extends from the bevel purge openings along the shadow ring. A space formed between the shadow ring and the substrate seat may define a process gas flow path. The gas flow paths may be in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Zubin Huang, Manjunath Veerappa Chobari Patil, Nitin Pathak, Yi Yang, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Truong Van Nguyen, Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Patent number: 11315787
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides forming nanostructures utilizing multiple patterning process with good profile control and feature transfer integrity. In one embodiment, a method for forming features on a substrate includes forming a mandrel layer on a substrate, conformally forming a spacer layer on the mandrel layer, wherein the spacer layer is a doped silicon material, and patterning the spacer layer. In another embodiment, a method for forming features on a substrate includes conformally forming a spacer layer on a mandrel layer on a substrate, wherein the spacer layer is a doped silicon material, selectively removing a portion of the spacer layer using a first gas mixture, and selectively removing the mandrel layer using a second gas mixture different from the first gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu-shun Yang, Rui Cheng, Karthik Janakiraman, Zubin Huang, Diwakar Kedlaya, Meenakshi Gupta, Srinivas Guggilla, Yung-chen Lin, Hidetaka Oshio, Chao Li, Gene Lee
  • Publication number: 20220122870
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate platform. The substrate platform may be characterized by an upper surface. The platform may define a purge aperture. The platform may include a plurality of mesas that are disposed in an inner region of the upper surface. Each of the mesas may protrude upward from the upper surface. The platform may include a sealing band that extends upward from the upper surface in a circumferential pattern and partially encircles the inner region of the upper surface. Top surfaces of the mesas and sealing band may form a support surface for a substrate. The sealing band may define a number of gaps. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body, a heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body, and a backside gas source that is coupled with the purge aperture of the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20220122822
    Abstract: Semiconductor processing systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a chamber body having sidewalls and a base. The chamber body may define an internal volume. The systems may include a substrate support assembly having a shaft and a platen coupled with the shaft along a first surface of the platen. The semiconductor processing systems may include a cover plate positioned on the platen of the substrate support assembly along a second surface of the platen opposite the first surface. The cover plate may include a flange extending about an exterior region of the cover plate. The flange may be in direct contact with the platen. The cover plate may include an upper wall vertically offset from the flange. An interior volume may be defined between the upper wall and the platen of the substrate support assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Satish Radhakrishnan, Diwakar Kedlaya, Fang Ruan, Amit Bansal
  • Publication number: 20220122851
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a remote plasma source (RPS), a faceplate, and an output manifold positioned between the RPS and the faceplate. The output manifold is characterized by a plurality of purge outlets that are fluidly coupled with a purge gas source and a plurality of deposition outlets that are fluidly coupled with a deposition gas source. A delivery tube extends between and fluidly couples the RPS and the faceplate. The delivery tube is characterized by a generally cylindrical sidewall that defines an upper plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern. Each of the upper apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the purge outlets. The generally cylindrical sidewall defines a lower plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern and below the upper plurality of apertures. Each of the lower apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the deposition outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Ruan, Diwakar Kedlaya, Amit Bansal, Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Rajaram Narayanan, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Sherry L. Mings, Job George Konnoth Joseph, Rupankar Choudhury
  • Publication number: 20220108872
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a chamber body comprising sidewalls and a base. The systems may include a substrate support extending through the base of the chamber body. The substrate support may include a support plate defining a plurality of channels through an interior of the support plate. Each channel of the plurality of channels may include a radial portion extending outward from a central channel through the support plate. Each channel may also include a vertical portion formed at an exterior region of the support plate fluidly coupling the radial portion with a support surface of the support plate. The substrate support may include a shaft coupled with the support plate. The central channel may extend through the shaft. The systems may include a fluid source coupled with the central channel of the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zubin Huang, Diwakar Kedlaya, Rui Cheng, Truong Van Nguyen, Manjunath Patil, Pavan Kumar Murali Kumar, Subrahmanyam Veerisetty, Karthik Janakiraman
  • Publication number: 20220108892
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology include semiconductor processing methods to make boron-and-silicon-containing layers that have a changing atomic ratio of boron-to-silicon. The methods may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a substrate processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber, and also flowing a boron-containing precursor and molecular hydrogen (H2) into the substrate processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The boron-containing precursor and the H2 may be flowed at a boron-to-hydrogen flow rate ratio. The flow rate of the boron-containing precursor and the H2 may be increased while the boron-to-hydrogen flow rate ratio remains constant during the flow rate increase. The boron-and-silicon-containing layer may be deposited on a substrate, and may be characterized by a continuously increasing ratio of boron-to-silicon from a first surface in contact with the substrate to a second surface of the boron-and-silicon-containing layer furthest from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Yang, Krishna Nittala, Rui Cheng, Karthik Janakiraman, Diwakar Kedlaya, Zubin Huang, Aykut Aydin
  • Publication number: 20220108891
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a faceplate assembly characterized by at least one surface defining a number of voids. Each void is configured to receive an interchangeable thermal body that can be selected from multiple interchangeable thermal bodies. Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may also include a gas box characterized by movable members. Each movable member is configured to engage a delivery port and is movable to provide flow control for a gas being delivered to the processing volume through a gas flow path. Zoned flow and/or temperature control may be provided by the faceplate assembly, the gas box, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zubin Huang, Manjunath Veerappa Chobari Patil, Diwakar Kedlaya, Truong Van Nguyen, Pavan Kumar Murali Kumar, Subrahmanyam Veerisetty, Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Fang Ruan
  • Publication number: 20220093371
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems include a chamber body having sidewalls and a base. The systems may include a substrate support extending through the base. The substrate support may include a support plate defining lift pin locations and a shaft coupled with the support plate. The systems may include a shield coupled with the shaft and extending below the support plate. The shield may define a central aperture that extends beyond an outer periphery of the shaft. The systems may include a purge baffle coupled with the shield at a position that is beyond the central aperture such that a space between the purge baffle and the shaft is in fluid communication with a space between the shield and the support plate. The purge baffle may extend along at least a portion of the shaft. The systems may include a purge gas source coupled with the purge baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zubin Huang, Truong Van Nguyen, Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya, Manjunath Veerappa Chobari Patil, Prashant A. Desai, Paul L. Brillhart, Karthik Janakiraman, Pavan Kumar Murali Kumar
  • Publication number: 20220020583
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region, and the substrate may be maintained at a temperature below or about 450° C. The methods may include striking a plasma of the silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include forming a layer of amorphous silicon on a semiconductor substrate. The layer of amorphous silicon may be characterized by less than or about 3% hydrogen incorporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya, Karthik Janakiraman, Gautam K. Hemani, Krishna Nittala, Alicia J. Lustgraaf, Zubin Huang, Brett Spaulding, Shashank Sharma, Kelvin Chan
  • Publication number: 20210335574
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a gasbox. The chambers may include a substrate support. The chambers may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The blocker plate may define a plurality of apertures through the plate. The chambers may include a faceplate positioned between the blocker plate and substrate support. The faceplate may be characterized by a first surface facing the blocker plate and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface of the faceplate and the substrate support may at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor processing chamber. The faceplate may be characterized by a central axis, and the faceplate may define a plurality of apertures through the faceplate. The faceplate may define a plurality of recesses extending about and radially outward of the plurality of apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Ruan, Prashant Kumar Kulshreshtha, Rajaram Narayanan, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20210320027
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include coupling a fluid conduit within a substrate support in a semiconductor processing chamber to a system foreline. The coupling may vacuum chuck a substrate with the substrate support. The methods may include flowing a gas into the fluid conduit. The methods may include maintaining a pressure between the substrate and the substrate support at a pressure higher than the pressure at the system foreline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zubin Huang, Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya, Satish Radhakrishnan, Anton V. Baryshnikov, Venkatanarayana Shankaramurthy, Karthik Janakiraman, Paul L. Brillhart, Badri N. Ramamurthi
  • Publication number: 20210183657
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID W. GROECHEL, MICHAEL R. RICE, GANG GRANT PENG, RUI CHENG, ZUBIN HUANG, HAN WANG, KARTHIK JANAKIRAMAN, DIWAKAR KEDLAYA, PAUL L. BRILLHART
  • Publication number: 20210156028
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a gasbox. The chambers may include a substrate support. The chambers may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The blocker plate may define a plurality of apertures through the plate. The chambers may include a faceplate positioned between the blocker plate and substrate support. The faceplate may be characterized by a first surface facing the blocker plate and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface of the faceplate and the substrate support may at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor processing chamber. The faceplate may be characterized by a central axis, and the faceplate may define a plurality of apertures through the faceplate. The faceplate may define a central recess about the central axis extending from the second surface of the faceplate to a depth less than a thickness of the faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Ruan, Prashant Kumar Kulshreshtha, Jiheng Zhao, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20210143029
    Abstract: A system may include a main line for delivering a first gas, and a sensor for measuring a concentration of a precursor in the first gas delivered through the main line. The system may further include first and second sublines for providing fluid access to first and second processing chambers, respectively. The first subline may include a first flow controller for controlling the first gas flowed through the first subline. The second subline may include a second flow controller for controlling the first gas flowed through the second subline. A delivery controller may be configured to control the first and second flow controllers based on the measured concentration of the precursor to deliver a first mixture of the first gas and a second gas and a second mixture of the first and second gases into the first and second semiconductor processing chambers, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Diwakar Kedlaya, Fang Ruan, Zubin Huang, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Kaushik Alayavalli, Martin Seamons, Kwangduk Lee, Rajaram Narayanan, Karthik Janakiraman
  • Publication number: 20210140045
    Abstract: Exemplary deposition methods may include delivering a silicon-containing precursor and a boron-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include providing a hydrogen-containing precursor with the silicon-containing precursor and the boron-containing precursor. A flow rate ratio of the hydrogen-containing precursor to either of the silicon-containing precursor or the boron-containing precursor is greater than or about 2:1. The methods may include forming a plasma of all precursors within the processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include depositing a silicon-and-boron material on a substrate disposed within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Yang, Krishna Nittala, Karthik Janakiraman, Aykut Aydin, Diwakar Kedlaya