Patents by Inventor Kurt Weiner

Kurt Weiner 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: 8220502
    Abstract: A pressure gauge may be coupled to a vessel into which a liquid chemical is to be dispensed. The volume of the vessel may be known and a control device may determine an initial pressure of the vessel using the pressure gauge. A volume of liquid chemical may be dispensed into the vessel which may cause the pressure within the vessel to increase to a second pressure. The control device may determine the second pressure using the pressure gauge may calculate the volume of liquid chemical dispensed into the vessel using the volume of the vessel, the initial pressure of the vessel, and the second pressure of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kelekar, Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner
  • Publication number: 20120149137
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc
    Inventors: Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner, Prashant Phatak, Imran Hashim, Sandra Malhotra, Tony Chiang
  • Publication number: 20120149180
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao, Jeremy Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120142197
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao, Jeremy Cheng
  • Patent number: 8143619
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner, Prashant Phatak, Imran Hashim, Sandra Malhotra, Tony Chiang
  • Patent number: 8082045
    Abstract: A method to graphically create a recipe for processing a substrate includes displaying graphical images that present processing operations to be performed on the substrate, allowing a user to set properties of the processing operations by manipulating the graphical images, and generating the recipe based on the properties of the processing operations set by the user and synchronizing the plurality of processing operations based on the properties. The graphical images may be time-bars in a Gantt-like chart that allows the user to see the sequence, the timing, and the durations of the processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ashizawa, Heng-Cheng Pal, Patrick Ngatchou, Kurt Weiner, John Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110303696
    Abstract: A pressure gauge may be coupled to a supply line which carries liquid from a bottle to either one or more mixing vessels and/or one or more reactors in a combinatorial processing tool. A control device may monitor the pressure measured by the pressure gauge, and the control device may be configured to change the pressure supplied to the bottle based on a comparison of the measured pressure to a predetermined pressure value. The control device may adjust the pressure provided to the bottle using a pressure regulator coupled to the pressure source. By changing the pressure provided to the bottle, the control device may maintain a relatively constant flow rate of fluids from the liquid source into one or more mixing vessels and/or the one or more reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kelekar, Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner
  • Publication number: 20110262644
    Abstract: A structure for independently supporting a wafer and a mask in a processing chamber is provided. The structure includes a set of extensions for supporting the wafer and a set of extensions supporting the mask. The set of extensions for the wafer and the set of extensions for the mask enable independent movement of the wafer and the mask. In one embodiment, the extensions are affixed to an annular ring which is capable of moving in a vertical direction within the processing chamber. A processing chamber, a mask, and a method for combinatorially processing a substrate are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, James Tsung
  • Patent number: 8039052
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention provide for relative movement of the substrate and a process head to access the entire wafer in a minimal space to conduct combinatorial processing on various regions of the substrate. The heads enable site isolated processing within the chamber described and method of using the same are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 8037894
    Abstract: A pressure gauge may be coupled to a supply line which carries liquid from a bottle to either one or more mixing vessels and/or one or more reactors in a combinatorial processing tool. A control device may monitor the pressure measured by the pressure gauge, and the control device may be configured to change the pressure supplied to the bottle based on a comparison of the measured pressure to a pre-determined pressure value. The control device may adjust the pressure provided to the bottle using a pressure regulator coupled to the pressure source. By changing the pressure provided to the bottle, the control device may maintain a relatively constant flow rate of fluids from the liquid source into one or more mixing vessels and/or the one or more reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kelekar, Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner
  • Publication number: 20110248264
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner, Prashant Phatak, Imran Hashim, Sandra Malhotra, Tony Chiang
  • Publication number: 20110209663
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention provide for relative movement of the substrate and a process head to access the entire wafer in a minimal space to conduct combinatorial processing on various regions of the substrate. The heads enable site isolated processing within the chamber described and method of using the same are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: INTERMOLECULAR, INC.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 7993461
    Abstract: A structure for independently supporting a wafer and a mask in a processing chamber is provided. The structure includes a set of extensions for supporting the wafer and a set of extensions supporting the mask. The set of extensions for the wafer and the set of extensions for the mask enable independent movement of the wafer and the mask. In one embodiment, the extensions are affixed to an annular ring which is capable of moving in a vertical direction within the processing chamber. A processing chamber, a mask, and a method for combinatorially processing a substrate are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, James Tsung
  • Patent number: 7824935
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner, Prashant Phatak, Imran Hashim, Sandra Malhotra, Tony Chiang
  • Publication number: 20100163404
    Abstract: A shadow mask for patterning a substrate during a semiconductor process. In one implementation, the shadow mask may include a plate having openings in the shape of individual dies on the substrate and having an area slightly greater than the substrate, and a layer having openings in the shape of features patterned on the substrate, wherein the layer is coupled to a bottom surface of the plate by an epoxy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Indranil De, Kurt Weiner
  • Publication number: 20100001269
    Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Gaurav Verma, Kurt Weiner, Prashant Phatak, Imran Hashim, Sandra Malhotra, Tony Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090155936
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing system having modular dispense heads is provided. The modular dispense heads are disposed on a rail system enabling an adjustable pitch of the modular dispense heads for the combinatorial processing. The modular dispense heads are configured so that sections of the modular dispense heads are detachable in order to accommodate various processes through a first section without having to completely disconnect and re-connect facilities to a second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Weiner, Aaron Francis, Ken Williams
  • Publication number: 20090069924
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao, Jeremy Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090068849
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention provide for relative movement of the substrate and a process head to access the entire wafer in a minimal space to conduct combinatorial processing on various regions of the substrate. The heads enable site isolated processing within the chamber described and method of using the same are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20090061108
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao, Jeremy Cheng