Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Ranish

Joseph M. Ranish 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).

  • Publication number: 20210069745
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to organic vapor deposition systems and substrate processing methods related thereto. In one embodiment, a processing system comprises a lid assembly and a plurality of material delivery systems. The lid assembly includes lid plate having a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite of the first surface and a showerhead assembly coupled to the first surface. The showerhead assembly comprises a plurality of showerheads. Individual ones of the plurality of material delivery systems are fluidly coupled to one or more of the plurality of showerheads and are disposed on the second surface of the lid plate. Each of the material delivery systems comprise a delivery line, a delivery line valve disposed on the delivery line, a bypass line fluidly coupled to the delivery line at a point disposed between the delivery line valve and the showerhead, and a bypass valve disposed on the bypass line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander N. LERNER, Roey SHAVIV, Phillip STOUT, Prashanth KOTHNUR, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20210053147
    Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Dean JENNINGS, Haifan LIANG, Mark YAM, Vijay PARIHAR, Abhilash J. MAYUR, Aaron Muir HUNTER, Bruce E. ADAMS, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Patent number: 10872790
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to an improved lamphead assembly for use in a thermal processing chamber. In one implementation, a lamphead assembly comprises a lamp housing tube comprising a lamp disposed therein, the lamp housing tube having an open end facing towards the substrate support, and an insert tube disposed within the lamp housing tube, the insert tube surrounds at least a portion of the lamp and has a constant inner diameter throughout the entire length of the insert tube, wherein the insert tube collimates radiant energy from the lamp toward the substrate support. The insert tube comprises a cylindrical lower portion disposed adjacent to the open end of the lamp housing tube, and a tapered upper portion integrated with the cylindrical lower portion as one body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 10857623
    Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus and method in which a first laser source, for example, a CO2 emitting at 10.6 ?m is focused onto a silicon wafer as a line beam and a second laser source, for example, a GaAs laser bar emitting at 808 nm is focused onto the wafer as a larger beam surrounding the line beam. The two beams are scanned in synchronism in the direction of the narrow dimension of the line beam to create a narrow heating pulse from the line beam when activated by the larger beam. The energy of GaAs radiation is greater than the silicon bandgap energy and creates free carriers. The energy of the CO2 radiation is less than the silicon bandgap energy so silicon is otherwise transparent to it, but the long wavelength radiation is absorbed by the free carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Jennings, Haifan Liang, Mark Yam, Vijay Parihar, Abhilash J. Mayur, Aaron Muir Hunter, Bruce E. Adams, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Publication number: 20200373212
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing non uniformity during thermal processing. One embodiment provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume, wherein the substrate support is configured to rotate the substrate, a sensor assembly configured to measure temperature of the substrate at a plurality of locations, and one or more pulse heating elements configured to provide pulsed energy towards the processing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang R. ADERHOLD, Aaron Muir HUNTER, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Patent number: 10820379
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide an adapter for use in a processing chamber. In one implementation, the adapter comprises a hollow body having a first end and a second end opposing the first end, a first block and a second block symmetrically disposed within the hollow body about a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the first block and the second block define a central opening therebetween, and a retention device disposed in contact with the first and second blocks to confine the movement of the first and second blocks with respect to the hollow body. The central opening is sized so that the first block and the second block provide direct contact with a press seal of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ranish, Aaron Miller, Oleg V. Serebryanov
  • Patent number: 10741457
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and method for reducing non uniformity during thermal processing. One embodiment provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a processing volume, a substrate support disposed in the processing volume, wherein the substrate support is configured to rotate the substrate, a sensor assembly configured to measure temperature of the substrate at a plurality of locations, and one or more pulse heating elements configured to provide pulsed energy towards the processing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Wolfgang R. Aderhold, Aaron Muir Hunter, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Publication number: 20200251375
    Abstract: A support member for a thermal processing chamber is described. The support member has a sol coating on at least one surface. The sol coating contains a material that blocks a desired wavelength or spectrum of radiation from being transmitted by the material of the support member. The sol coating may be a multi-layer structure that may include adhesion layers, transition layers, and cap layers, in addition to radiation-blocking layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph M. RANISH
  • Patent number: 10734257
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for heating a substrate in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for heating a substrate in a process chamber includes a lamp group comprising one or more sets of lamps to provide radiant energy to heat a substrate when disposed in the process chamber, wherein each set of lamps comprises a plurality of lamps wired in series, and wherein each set of lamps is wired in parallel with respect to other sets of the one or more sets of lamps; an alternating current (AC) power source to produce an AC input waveform; and a lamp driver to power the lamp group, the lamp driver including a rectifier coupled to the AC power source to convert the AC input waveform to DC voltage; and a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter to reduce voltage of the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Oleg Serebryanov, Joseph M. Ranish, Alexander Goldin
  • Patent number: 10727093
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a light pipe structure for thermal processing of semiconductor substrates. In one embodiment, a light pipe window structure for use in a thermal process chamber includes a transparent plate, and a plurality of light pipe structures formed in a transparent material that is coupled to the transparent plate, each of the plurality of light pipe structures comprising a reflective surface and having a longitudinal axis disposed in a substantially perpendicular relation to a plane of the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Brillhart, Joseph M. Ranish, Aaron Muir Hunter, Edric Tong, James Francis Mack, Kin Pong Lo, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Zhiyuan Ye, Anzhong Chang
  • Patent number: 10699922
    Abstract: A processing chamber is described. The processing chamber includes a chamber having an interior volume, a light pipe array coupled to the chamber, the light pipe array comprising a wall member that defines a boundary of the interior volume of the chamber, wherein the light pipe array includes a plurality of non-metallic light pipe structures, and a radiant heat source comprising a plurality of energy sources in optical communication with each of the plurality of light pipe structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ranish, Aaron Muir Hunter
  • Patent number: 10672641
    Abstract: A support member for a thermal processing chamber is described. The support member has a sol coating on at least one surface. The sol coating contains a material that blocks a desired wavelength or spectrum of radiation from being transmitted by the material of the support member. The sol coating may be a multi-layer structure that may include adhesion layers, transition layers, and cap layers, in addition to radiation-blocking layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 10665484
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a thermal processing apparatus with a heat source and a rotating substrate support opposite the heat source, the rotating substrate support comprising a support member with a light blocking member. The light blocking member may be an encapsulated component, or may be movably disposed inside the support member. The light blocking member may be opaque and/or reflective, and may be a refractory metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 10661223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally processing a substrate is described. The apparatus includes a thermal processing chamber having an interior volume which includes a top portion and a side wall. The apparatus also include a getter assembly comprising a getter configured as a wire disposed in the top portion and extending into the interior volume proximal to the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 10610884
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a process kit, the process kit comprising a first ring to support a substrate proximate a peripheral edge of the substrate; a second ring disposed about the first ring; and a path formed between the first and second rings that allows the first ring to rotate with respect to the second ring, wherein the path substantially prevents light from travelling between a first volume disposed below the first and second rings and a second volume disposed above the first and second rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ranish, Kailash Patalay
  • Publication number: 20200053836
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure provide an adapter for use in a processing chamber. In one implementation, the adapter comprises a hollow body having a first end and a second end opposing the first end, a first block and a second block symmetrically disposed within the hollow body about a longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the first block and the second block define a central opening therebetween, and a retention device disposed in contact with the first and second blocks to confine the movement of the first and second blocks with respect to the hollow body. The central opening is sized so that the first block and the second block provide direct contact with a press seal of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph M. RANISH, Aaron MILLER, Oleg V. SEREBRYANOV
  • Publication number: 20200035480
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for providing radiant energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation are provided herein. In some embodiments a radiation source for electromagnetic radiation includes a tubular body formed from a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation; a filament disposed within the tubular body; and a reflective coating disposed on a portion of the tubular body to form a reflective portion, wherein the reflective portion is configured to minimize reflection of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the filament during use back to the filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: JOSEPH M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20200022223
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to circular lamp arrays for use in a semiconductor processing chamber. Circular lamp arrays utilizing one or more torroidal lamps disposed in a reflective trough and arranged in a concentric circular pattern may provide for improved rapid thermal processing. The reflective troughs, which may house the torroidal lamps, may be disposed at various angles relative to a surface of a substrate being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20190391017
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for measuring substrate temperature are provided. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for estimating a temperature is provided and includes a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a reflection plane, and a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors. Each electromagnetic radiation detector is positioned to sample the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a corresponding electromagnetic radiation source of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources. The apparatus also includes a pyrometer positioned to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources and reflected from a substrate disposed at a reflection plane and electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substrate. The apparatus includes a processor configured to estimate a temperature of the substrate based on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20190385872
    Abstract: A processing chamber is described. The processing chamber includes a chamber having an interior volume, a light pipe window structure coupled to the chamber, the light pipe window structure having a first transparent plate disposed within the interior volume of the chamber, and a radiant heat source coupled to a second transparent plate of the light pipe window structure in a position outside of the interior volume of the chamber, wherein the light pipe window structure includes a plurality of light pipe structures disposed between the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph M. RANISH, Aaron Muir HUNTER, Anzhong CHANG