Patents by Inventor Joel M. Huston

Joel M. Huston 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: 11955362
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports and process chambers equipped with the same are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: a support body having a first surface; one or more receptacles extending through the first surface and into the support body; and one or more protrusions respectively disposed within corresponding ones of the one or more receptacles and projecting from the first surface, wherein the one or more protrusions at least partially define a substantially planar support surface above the first surface. Methods of eliminating backside wafer damage are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel M Huston, Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Gwo-Chuan Tzu
  • Patent number: 11598003
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments a showerhead assembly includes a gas distribution plate having a plurality of apertures; a holder having a wall, an radially inwardly extending flange extending from a lower portion of the wall and coupled to the gas distribution plate, and a radially outwardly extending flange extending from an upper portion of the wall, wherein the wall has a thickness between about 0.015 inches and about 0.2 inches; and a heating apparatus disposed above and spaced apart from the gas distribution plate, wherein the heating apparatus includes a heater configured to heat the gas distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Faruk Gungor, Dien-Yeh Wu, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang, Xiaoxiong Yuan, Kazuya Daito, Avgerinos V. Gelatos, Takashi Kuratomi, Yu Chang, Bin Cao
  • Publication number: 20210225640
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a support assembly. In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a shaft coupled to a disk-shaped body. The shaft has a vacuum conduit, a heat transfer fluid conduit and a gas conduit formed therein. The disk-shaped body includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer surface. A thermocouple is embedded in the disk-shaped body. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface, wherein the lower surface of the disk-shaped body comprises one side of the flange. A fluid channel is formed in the disk-shaped body proximate the flange and lower surface. The fluid channel is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit of the shaft. A plurality of grooves are formed in the upper surface of the disk-shaped body, and are coupled by a hole in the disk-shaped body to the vacuum conduit of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang, Xiaoxiong Yuan
  • Patent number: 10879090
    Abstract: Lid assemblies for processing chamber and processing chambers including the lid assemblies are described. The lid assemblies include a high temperature lid module and a housing. The high temperature lid module being positioned adjacent a process liner of a processing chamber. The flexible housing positioned around the high temperature lid module and joined to the high temperature lid module with an elastomeric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilker Durukan, Joel M. Huston, Dien-Yeh Wu, Chien-Teh Kao, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 10593539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a support assembly. In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a shaft coupled to a disk-shaped body. The disk-shaped body includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer surface. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface. A fluid channel is formed in the disk-shaped body and is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit of the shaft. A plurality of grooves formed in the upper surface are coupled by a hole to the vacuum conduit of the shaft. A gas conduit formed through the disk-shaped body couples the gas conduit of the shaft to the cylindrical outer surface of the disk-shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang, Xiaoxiong (John) Yuan
  • Publication number: 20200006054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is provided. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a support assembly. In one embodiment, the support assembly includes a shaft coupled to a disk-shaped body. The shaft has a vacuum conduit, a heat transfer fluid conduit and a gas conduit formed therein. The disk-shaped body includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a cylindrical outer surface. A thermocouple is embedded in the disk-shaped body. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface, wherein the lower surface of the disk-shaped body comprises one side of the flange. A fluid channel is formed in the disk-shaped body proximate the flange and lower surface. The fluid channel is coupled to the heat transfer fluid conduit of the shaft. A plurality of grooves are formed in the upper surface of the disk-shaped body, and are coupled by a hole in the disk-shaped body to the vacuum conduit of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chien-Teh KAO, Joel M. HUSTON, Mei CHANG, Xiaoxiong YUAN
  • Patent number: 10400335
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20190078210
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments a showerhead assembly includes a gas distribution plate having a plurality of apertures; a holder having a wall, an radially inwardly extending flange extending from a lower portion of the wall and coupled to the gas distribution plate, and a radially outwardly extending flange extending from an upper portion of the wall, wherein the wall has a thickness between about 0.015 inches and about 0.2 inches; and a heating apparatus disposed above and spaced apart from the gas distribution plate, wherein the heating apparatus includes a heater configured to heat the gas distribution plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: FARUK GUNGOR, DIEN-YEH WU, JOEL M. HUSTON, MEI CHANG, XIAOXIONG YUAN, KAZUYA DAITO, AVGERINOS V. GELATOS, TAKASHI KURATOMI, YU CHANG, BIN CAO
  • Publication number: 20190080951
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports and process chambers equipped with the same are provided. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: a support body having a first surface; one or more receptacles extending through the first surface and into the support body; and one or more protrusions respectively disposed within corresponding ones of the one or more receptacles and projecting from the first surface, wherein the one or more protrusions at least partially define a substantially planar support surface above the first surface. Methods of eliminating backside wafer damage are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Joel M. HUSTON, Cheng-Hsiung TSAI, Gwo-Chuan TZU
  • Publication number: 20180053667
    Abstract: Lid assemblies for processing chamber and processing chambers including the lid assemblies are described. The lid assemblies include a high temperature lid module and a housing. The high temperature lid module being positioned adjacent a process liner of a processing chamber. The flexible housing positioned around the high temperature lid module and joined to the high temperature lid module with an elastomeric ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Ilker Durukan, Joel M. Huston, Dien-Yeh Wu, Chien-Teh Kao, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20170362710
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9837250
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing substrates includes a chamber body enclosing a processing volume, the chamber body comprising a chamber floor, a chamber wall coupled to the chamber floor, and a chamber lid removably coupled to the chamber wall, wherein at least one of the chamber floor, the chamber wall, and the chamber lid comprise passages for a flow of a thermal control media; a heater plate disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the chamber floor; a sleeve disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the chamber wall, the sleeve supported by the heater plate; and a first sealing element disposed at a first interface between the chamber wall and the chamber lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel M. Huston, Olkan Cuvalci, Michael P. Karazim, Joseph Yudovsky
  • Patent number: 9831109
    Abstract: Lid assemblies for processing chamber and processing chambers including the lid assemblies are described. The lid assemblies include a high temperature lid module and a housing. The high temperature lid module being positioned adjacent a process liner of a processing chamber. The flexible housing positioned around the high temperature lid module and joined to the high temperature lid module with an elastomeric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilker Durukan, Joel M. Huston, Dien-Yeh Wu, Chien-Teh Kao, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9765432
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9627185
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ cleaning of substrate processing chambers are provided herein. A substrate processing chamber may include a chamber body enclosing an inner volume; a chamber lid removably coupled to the chamber body and including a first flow channel fluidly coupled to the inner volume to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from a first outlet; a chamber floor including a second flow channel fluidly coupled to the inner volume to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from a first inlet; and a pump ring disposed in and in fluid communication with the inner volume, the pump ring comprising an upper chamber fluidly coupled to a lower chamber, and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the lower chamber to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joel M. Huston, Nicholas R. Denny, Chien-Teh Kao
  • Patent number: 9543186
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support may include a support plate having a support surface to support a substrate, a support ring to support a substrate at a perimeter of the support surface; and a plurality of first support elements disposed in the support ring, wherein an end portion of each of the first support elements is raised above an upper surface of the support ring to define a gap between the upper surface of the support ring and an imaginary plane disposed on the end portions of the plurality of first support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Olkan Cuvalci, Joel M. Huston, Gwo-Chuan Tzu
  • Publication number: 20160273108
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 9353440
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20150176126
    Abstract: Provided are gas distribution apparatus with a delivery channel having an inlet end, an outlet end and a plurality of apertures spaced along the length. The inlet end is connectable to an inlet gas source and the outlet end is connectible with a vacuum source. Also provided are gas distribution apparatus with spiral delivery channels, intertwined spiral delivery channels, splitting delivery channels, merging delivery channels and shaped delivery channels in which an inlet end and outlet end are configured for rapid exchange of gas within the delivery channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Zhenbin Ge, Chien-Teh Kao, Joel M. Huston, Mei Chang
  • Publication number: 20150155142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-situ cleaning of substrate processing chambers are provided herein. A substrate processing chamber may include a chamber body enclosing an inner volume; a chamber lid removably coupled to the chamber body and including a first flow channel fluidly coupled to the inner volume to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from a first outlet; a chamber floor including a second flow channel fluidly coupled to the inner volume to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from a first inlet; and a pump ring disposed in and in fluid communication with the inner volume, the pump ring comprising an upper chamber fluidly coupled to a lower chamber, and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the lower chamber to selectively open or seal the inner volume to or from the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: JOEL M. HUSTON, NICHOLAS R. DENNY, CHIEN-TEH KAO