Patents by Inventor Douglas Buchberger

Douglas Buchberger 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: 11112697
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. A pedestal may be disposed within the processing volume and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may extend through the chamber body opposite the pedestal and a second electrode may be coupled to the moveable stem. In certain embodiments, a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Viachslav Babayan, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Qiwei Liang, Ludovic Godet, Srinivas D. Nemani, Daniel J. Woodruff, Randy Harris, Robert B. Moore
  • Patent number: 11114306
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and methods for depositing a dielectric material using RF bias pulses along with remote plasma source deposition for manufacturing semiconductor devices, particularly for filling openings with high aspect ratios in semiconductor applications. In one embodiment, a method of depositing a dielectric material includes providing a gas mixture into a processing chamber having a substrate disposed therein, forming a remote plasma in a remote plasma source and delivering the remote plasma to an interior processing region defined in the processing chamber, applying a RF bias power to the processing chamber in pulsed mode, and forming a dielectric material in an opening defined in a material layer disposed on the substrate in the presence of the gas mixture and the remote plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Bhargav Citla, Jethro Tannos, Jingyi Li, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Zhong Qiang Hua, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Y. Yieh
  • Patent number: 11088005
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly includes a ceramic puck and a thermally conductive base having an upper surface that is bonded to the ceramic puck. The thermally conductive base includes a plurality of thermal zones and a thermally managed material embedded in the thermally conductive base at the upper surface of the thermally conductive base in one or more of the plurality of thermal zones. The thermally managed material has different thermal conductive properties along a first direction and a second direction. The thermally conductive base further includes a plurality of thermal isolators that extend from the upper surface of the thermally conductive base towards a lower surface of the thermally conductive base between two or more of the plurality of thermal zones without contacting the lower surface of the thermally conductive base. Each of the plurality of thermal isolators provides a degree of thermal isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Konstantin Makhratchev, Jason Della Rosa, Hamid Noobakhsh, Brad L. Mays, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210104374
    Abstract: Apparatus for a multi-source ion beam etching (IBE) system are provided herein. In some embodiments, a multi-source IBE system includes a multi-source lid comprising a multi-source adaptor and a lower chamber adaptor, a plurality of IBE sources coupled to the multi-source adaptor, a rotary shield assembly coupled to a shield motor mechanism configured to rotate the rotary shield, wherein the shield motor mechanism is coupled to a top portion of the multi-source lid, and wherein the rotary shield includes a body that has one IBE source opening formed through the body, and at least one beam conduit that engages the one IBE source opening in the rotary shield on one end, and engages the bottom portion of the IBE sources on the opposite end of the beam conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Qiwei Liang, Srinivas D. Nemani, Ellie Yieh, Douglas Buchberger, Chentsau Chris Ying
  • Patent number: 10854425
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling temperatures in plasma processing chamber with reduced controller response times and increased stability. Temperature control is based at least in part on a feedforward control signal derived from a plasma power input into the processing chamber. A feedforward control signal compensating disturbances in the temperature attributable to the plasma power may be combined with a feedback control signal counteracting error between a measured and desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chetan Mahadeswaraswamy, Walter R Merry, Sergio Fukuda Shoji, Chunlei Zhang, Yashaswini Pattar, Duy D Nguyen, Tina Tsong, Shane C Nevil, Douglas A Buchberger, Jr., Fernando M Silveira, Brad L Mays, Kartik Ramaswamy, Hamid Noorbakhsh
  • Patent number: 10770328
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support may include a substrate support having a support surface for supporting a substrate the substrate support having a central axis; a first electrode disposed within the substrate support to provide RF power to a substrate when disposed on the support surface; an inner conductor coupled to the first electrode about a center of a surface of the first electrode opposing the support surface, wherein the inner conductor is tubular and extends from the first electrode parallel to and about the central axis in a direction away from the support surface of the substrate support; an outer conductor disposed about the inner conductor; and an outer dielectric layer disposed between the inner and outer conductors, the outer dielectric layer electrically isolating the outer conductor from the inner conductor. The outer conductor may be coupled to electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xing Lin, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Xiaoping Zhou, Andrew Nguyen, Anchel Sheyner
  • Publication number: 20200185192
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: James D. CARDUCCI, Hamid TAVASSOLI, Ajit BALAKRISHNA, Zhigang CHEN, Andrew NGUYEN, Douglas A. BUCHBERGER, JR., Kartik RAMASWAMY, Shahid RAUF, Kenneth S. COLLINS
  • Patent number: 10615006
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Hamid Tavassoli, Ajit Balakrishna, Zhigang Chen, Andrew Nguyen, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Publication number: 20200090946
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and methods for depositing a dielectric material using RF bias pulses along with remote plasma source deposition for manufacturing semiconductor devices, particularly for filling openings with high aspect ratios in semiconductor applications. In one embodiment, a method of depositing a dielectric material includes providing a gas mixture into a processing chamber having a substrate disposed therein, forming a remote plasma in a remote plasma source and delivering the remote plasma to an interior processing region defined in the processing chamber, applying a RF bias power to the processing chamber in pulsed mode, and forming a dielectric material in an opening defined in a material layer disposed on the substrate in the presence of the gas mixture and the remote plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Bhargav S. CITLA, Jethro TANNOS, Jingyi LI, Douglas A. BUCHBERGER, JR., Zhong Qiang HUA, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Ellie Y. YIEH
  • Patent number: 10580620
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Hamid Tavassoli, Ajit Balakrishna, Zhigang Chen, Andrew Nguyen, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Patent number: 10546728
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Hamid Tavassoli, Ajit Balakrishna, Zhigang Chen, Andrew Nguyen, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Patent number: 10535502
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Hamid Tavassoli, Ajit Balakrishna, Zhigang Chen, Andrew Nguyen, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Patent number: 10474033
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. A pedestal may be disposed within the processing volume and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may extend through the chamber body opposite the pedestal and a second electrode may be coupled to the moveable stem. In certain embodiments, a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Viachslav Babayan, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Qiwei Liang, Ludovic Godet, Srinivas D. Nemani, Daniel J. Woodruff, Randy Harris, Robert B. Moore
  • Patent number: 10453656
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma chamber design that allows extremely symmetrical electrical, thermal, and gas flow conductance through the chamber. By providing such symmetry, plasma formed within the chamber naturally has improved uniformity across the surface of a substrate disposed in a processing region of the chamber. Further, other chamber additions, such as providing the ability to manipulate the gap between upper and lower electrodes as well as between a gas inlet and a substrate being processed, allows better control of plasma processing and uniformity as compared to conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Hamid Tavassoli, Ajit Balakrishna, Zhigang Chen, Andrew Nguyen, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Publication number: 20190279893
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly includes a ceramic puck and a thermally conductive base having an upper surface that is bonded to the ceramic puck. The thermally conductive base includes a plurality of thermal zones and a thermally managed material embedded in the thermally conductive base at the upper surface of the thermally conductive base in one or more of the plurality of thermal zones. The thermally managed material has different thermal conductive properties along a first direction and a second direction. The thermally conductive base further includes a plurality of thermal isolators that extend from the upper surface of the thermally conductive base towards a lower surface of the thermally conductive base between two or more of the plurality of thermal zones without contacting the lower surface of the thermally conductive base. Each of the plurality of thermal isolators provides a degree of thermal isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Konstantin Makhratchev, Jason Della Rosa, Hamid Noobakhsh, Brad L. Mays, Douglas A. Buchberger, JR.
  • Patent number: 10386126
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate can control the thermal uniformity of the substrate to be more uniform or to be non-uniform. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling the thermal uniformity of a substrate includes: a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate thereon. A flow path is disposed within the substrate support to flow a heat transfer fluid beneath the support surface. The flow path comprises a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a substantially equivalent axial length. The first portion is spaced about 2 mm to about 10 mm from the second portion. The first portion provides a flow of heat transfer fluid in a direction opposite a flow of heat transfer fluid of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Xiaoping Zhou, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Andrew Nguyen, Hamid Tavassoli, Surajit Kumar, Shahid Rauf
  • Publication number: 20190187563
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for performing immersion field guided post exposure bake processes. Embodiments of apparatus described herein include a chamber body defining a processing volume. A pedestal may be disposed within the processing volume and a first electrode may be coupled to the pedestal. A moveable stem may extend through the chamber body opposite the pedestal and a second electrode may be coupled to the moveable stem. In certain embodiments, a fluid containment ring may be coupled to the pedestal and a dielectric containment ring may be coupled to the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Viachslav BABAYAN, Douglas A. BUCHBERGER, JR., Qiwei LIANG, Ludovic GODET, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Daniel J. WOODRUFF, Randy HARRIS, Robert B. MOORE
  • Patent number: 10304715
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly includes a ceramic puck and a thermally conductive base having an upper surface that is bonded to a lower surface of the ceramic puck. Trenches are formed in the thermally conductive base approximately concentric around a center of the thermally conductive base. The trenches extend from the upper surface towards a lower surface of the thermally conductive base without contacting the lower surface of the thermally conductive base. The thermally conductive base includes thermal zones. The substrate support assembly further includes a thermally insulating material disposed in the trenches. The thermally insulating material in a trench of the trenches provides a degree of thermal isolation between two of the thermal zones separated by the trench at the upper surface of the thermally conductive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Konstantin Makhratchev, Jason Della Rosa, Hamid Noorbakhsh, Brad L. Mays, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190115241
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrostatic chuck, including: a base having a dielectric first surface to support a substrate thereon during processing; and an electrode disposed within the base proximate the dielectric first surface to facilitate electrostatically coupling the substrate to the dielectric first surface during use, wherein the dielectric first surface is sufficiently hydrophobic to electrostatically retain the substrate to the dielectric first surface when contacted with water. Methods of making and using the electrostatic chuck under wet conditions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Kim VELLORE, Douglas A. BUCHBERGER, JR., Niranjan Kumar, Seshadri RAMASWAMI
  • Publication number: 20190085467
    Abstract: A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece includes a reactor chamber having a ceiling and a sidewall and a workpiece support facing the ceiling and defining a processing region, and a pair of concentric independently excited RF coil antennas overlying the ceiling and a side RF coil concentric with the side wall and facing the side wall below the ceiling, and being excited independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, James D. Carducci, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Ankur Agarwal, Jason A. Kenney, Leonid Dorf, Ajit Balakrishna, Richard Fovell