Patents by Inventor Michael R. Rice

Michael R. Rice 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: 20190287765
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, Kartik RAMASWAMY, James D. CARDUCCI, Yue GUO, Olga REGELMAN
  • Patent number: 10418225
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci, Yue Guo, Olga Regelman
  • Patent number: 10409295
    Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing system includes a mass flow controller (MFC) that has a thermal flow sensor. The thermal flow sensor may measure a mass flow rate and may include a sensor tube having an inner surface coated with a material to form an inner barrier layer. The inner barrier layer may prevent or substantially reduce the likelihood of a corrosive reaction from occurring on the inner surface, which may prevent or reduce the likelihood of the MFC drifting beyond the MFC's mass flow rate accuracy specifications. This may improve the repeatability of flow detection by the MFC. Methods of measuring and controlling a mass flow rate in an electronic device manufacturing system are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Sushant S. Koshti, Michael R. Rice, Steven E. Babayan, Jennifer Y. Sun
  • Publication number: 20190267266
    Abstract: Electronic device processing systems including side storage pods are described. One electronic device processing system has a side storage pod having a first chamber configured to receive a side storage container; a panel having a panel opening; the panel configured to be coupled between a side storage container and an equipment front end module; a side storage container received in the first chamber; and an exhaust conduit configured to be coupled to the side storage container received and extending to an exterior of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Sandesh Doddamane Ramappa, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael R. Rice, Jeffrey A. Brodine
  • Publication number: 20190267258
    Abstract: Electronic device processing apparatus including factory interface chamber with environmental controls and a purge control apparatus allowing purge of a chamber filter. The filter purge apparatus includes a chamber filter and a flushing gas supply configured to supply flushing gas to the chamber filter when an access door to the factory interface chamber is open to allow personnel safe servicing access to the factory interface chamber. The supply of flushing gas to the chamber filter minimizes moisture contamination of the chamber filter by factory ambient air when the access door is open thereby allowing rapid resumption of substrate processing after factory interface servicing. Purge control methods and apparatus are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 10395964
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for measuring the thermal performance of a wafer chuck, such as an electrostatic chuck. In one example, the apparatus ha a chamber, a base to support a wafer chuck in the chamber, a heater to heat the chuck, a window through the exterior of the chamber, and an infrared imaging system to measure the temperature of the chuck while the chuck is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Busche, Vijay D. Parkhe, Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 10388547
    Abstract: Electronic device processing systems including side storage pods are described. One electronic device processing system has a side storage pod having a first chamber configured to receive a side storage container; a panel having a panel opening; the panel configured to be coupled between a side storage container and an equipment front end module; a side storage container received in the first chamber; and an exhaust conduit configured to be coupled to the side storage container received and extending to an exterior of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Sandesh Doddamane Ramappa, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael R. Rice, Jeffrey A. Brodine
  • Patent number: 10373807
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci, Yue Guo, Olga Regelman
  • Patent number: 10359743
    Abstract: Electronic device processing systems including environmental control of the factory interface, a carrier purge chamber, and one or more substrate carriers are described. One electronic device processing system has a factory interface having a factory interface chamber, one or more substrate carriers coupled to the factory interface, and an environmental control system coupled to the factory interface, the carrier purge chamber, and the one or more substrate carriers and operational to control an environment at least within the factory interface chamber, carrier purge chamber, and the one or more substrate carriers. Methods for processing substrates are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Dean C. Hruzek
  • Patent number: 10312056
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci, Yue Guo, Olga Regelman
  • Publication number: 20190115246
    Abstract: Apparatus for shielding a substrate support in a semiconductor processing chamber. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a substrate support body with a substrate processing surface, a feedthrough assembly for supporting the substrate support body in the semiconductor processing chamber, and a conductive member that provides a conductive path from a lowermost portion of the feedthrough assembly to the substrate processing surface of the substrate support body. The conductive member is disposed symmetrically about the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, James David CARDUCCI
  • Publication number: 20190078199
    Abstract: An article comprises a body having a coating. The coating comprises a M-O—F coating having a molar O/F ratio that is customized to future processing that the article may be exposed to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaowei Wu, David Fenwick, Jennifer Y. Sun, Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 10217650
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus may include a substrate support having a support surface to support a substrate to be cleaned, wherein the substrate support is rotatable about a central axis normal to the support surface; a first nozzle to provide a first cleaning gas to a region of the inner volume corresponding to the position of an edge of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the support surface of the substrate support; a first annular body disposed opposite and spaced apart from the support surface of the substrate support by a gap, the first annular body having a central opening defined by an inner wall shaped to provide a reducing size of the gap between the first annular body and the support surface in a radially outward direction; and a first gas inlet to provide a first gas to the central opening of the first annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James Matthew Holden, Song-Moon Suh, Todd Egan, Kalyanjit Ghosh, Leon Volfovski, Michael R. Rice, Richard Giljum
  • Publication number: 20190057841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, Kartik RAMASWAMY, James D. CARDUCCI, Yue GUO, Olga REGELMAN
  • Publication number: 20190057840
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, Kartik RAMASWAMY, James D. CARDUCCI, Yue GUO, Olga REGELMAN
  • Publication number: 20190051496
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a plasma source assembly and process chamber design that can be used for any number of substrate processing techniques. The plasma source may include a plurality of discrete electrodes that are integrated with a reference electrode and a gas feed structure to generate a uniform, stable and repeatable plasma during processing. The plurality of discrete electrodes include an array of electrodes that can be biased separately, in groups or all in unison, relative to a reference electrode. The plurality of discrete electrodes may include a plurality of conductive rods that are positioned to generate a plasma within a processing region of a process chamber. The plurality of discrete electrodes is provided RF power from standing or traveling waves imposed on a power distribution element to which the electrodes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, Kartik RAMASWAMY, James D. CARDUCCI, Yue GUO, Olga REGELMAN
  • Publication number: 20180374685
    Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of conductors spaced apart from and extending laterally across the workpiece support in a parallel coplanar array, a first RF power source to supply a first RF power to the electrode assembly, and a dielectric bottom plate between the electrode assembly and the workpiece support, the dielectric bottom plate providing an RF window between the electrode assembly and the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci, Shahid Rauf, Kallol Bera
  • Publication number: 20180374686
    Abstract: A processing tool for a plasma process includes a chamber body that has an interior space that provides a plasma chamber and that has a ceiling and an opening on a side opposite the ceiling, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece such that at least a portion of a front surface of the workpiece faces the opening, an actuator to generate relative motion between the chamber body and the workpiece support such that the opening moves laterally across the workpiece, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of coplanar filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber between the workpiece support and the ceiling, each of the plurality of filaments including a conductor, and a first RF power source to supply a first RF power to the conductors of the electrode assembly to form a plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci
  • Publication number: 20180374684
    Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber, a gas distributor, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, an intra-chamber electrode assembly comprising a plurality of filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber, each filament including a conductor surrounded by a cylindrical insulating shell, the plurality of filaments including a first multiplicity of filaments and a second multiplicity of filaments arranged in an alternating pattern with the first multiplicity of filaments, a first bus coupled to the first multiplicity of filaments and a second bus coupled to the second multiplicity of filaments, an RF power source to apply RF signal the intra-chamber electrode assembly, and at least one RF switch configured to controllably electrically couple and decouple the first bus from one of i) ground, ii) the RF power source, or iii) the second bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy, Shahid Rauf, Kallol Bera, James D. Carducci, Michael R. Rice, Yue Guo
  • Publication number: 20180374725
    Abstract: Electronic device processing systems including side storage pods are described. One electronic device processing system has a side storage pod having a first chamber configured to receive a side storage container; a panel having a panel opening; the panel configured to be coupled between a side storage container and an equipment front end module; a side storage container received in the first chamber; and an exhaust conduit configured to be coupled to the side storage container received and extending to an exterior of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Sandesh Doddamane Ramappa, Dean C. Hruzek, Michael R. Rice, Jeffrey A. Brodine