Patents by Inventor Michael S. Cox

Michael S. Cox 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: 20160133442
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a plasma source that has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Rongping WANG, Brian T. WEST, Roger M. JOHNSON, Colin John DICKINSON
  • Publication number: 20160118226
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma source for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The plasma source has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the cylindrical electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Michael S. Cox, Rongping Wang, Brian T. West, Roger M. Johnson, Colin John Dickinson
  • Patent number: 9240308
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a plasma source that has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Cox, Rongping Wang, Brian T. West, Roger M. Johnson, Colin John Dickinson
  • Patent number: 9230780
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma source for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The plasma source has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the cylindrical electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Cox, Rongping Wang, Brian T. West, Roger M. Johnson, Colin John Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20150262798
    Abstract: A process chamber includes a chamber body having a chamber lid assembly disposed thereon, one or more monitoring devices coupled to the chamber lid assembly, and one or more antennas disposed adjacent to the chamber lid assembly that are in communication with the one or more monitoring devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Nicholas BINNS, Brian T. WEST, Ronald Vern SCHAUER, Roger M. JOHNSON, Michael S. COX
  • Publication number: 20150251133
    Abstract: A plasma abatement process for abating effluent containing compounds from a processing chamber is described. A plasma abatement process takes gaseous foreline effluent from a processing chamber, such as a deposition chamber, and reacts the effluent within a plasma chamber placed in the foreline path. The plasma dissociates the compounds within the effluent, converting the effluent into more benign compounds. Abating reagents may assist in the abating of the compounds. The abatement process may be a volatizing or a condensing abatement process. Representative volatilizing abating reagents include, for example, CH4, H2O, H2, NF3, SF6, F2, HCl, HF, Cl2, and HBr. Representative condensing abating reagents include, for example, H2, H2O, O2, N2, O3, CO, CO2, NH3, N2O, CH4, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Monique MCINTOSH, Colin John DICKINSON, Paul E. FISHER, Yutaka TANAKA, Zheng YUAN
  • Publication number: 20150255251
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma source for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The plasma source has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the cylindrical electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Rongping WANG, Brian T. WEST, Roger M. JOHNSON, Colin John DICKINSON
  • Publication number: 20150255256
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a plasma source that has a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate. An electrode is disposed between the first and second plates and an outer wall is disposed between the first and second plates surrounding the electrode. The plasma source has a first plurality of magnets disposed on the first plate and a second plurality of magnets disposed on the second plate. The magnetic field created by the first and second plurality of magnets is substantially perpendicular to the electric field created between the electrode and the outer wall. In this configuration, a dense plasma is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Rongping WANG, Brian T. WEST, Roger M. JOHNSON, Colin John DICKINSON
  • Publication number: 20150232983
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provides apparatus and method for stabilizing substrate temperature by flowing a flow of cooling gas to an inlet of cooling channels in a substrate support, receiving the flow of cooling gas from an outlet of the cooling channel using a heat exchanger, and releasing the cooling gas to an immediate environment, such as a cleanroom or a minienvironment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Brian WEST, Michael S. COX, Jeonghoon OH
  • Publication number: 20150162231
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for securing and transferring substrates. A substrate carrier, having one or more electrostatic chucking electrodes disposed therein, electrostatically couples a substrate to the carrier such. Optionally, a mask may also be electrostatically coupled to the carrier and may be disposed over a region of the carrier not occupied by the substrate. In one embodiment, multiple electrode assemblies are provided such that a first electrode assembly chucks the substrate to the carrier and a second electrode assembly chucks the mask to the carrier. In another embodiment, a pocket is formed in the carrier and an electrode assembly provides chucking capability within the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Cheryl A. KNEPFLER
  • Publication number: 20150048735
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a magnetron that is encapsulated by a material that is tolerant of heat and water. In one embodiment, the entire magnetron is encapsulated. In another embodiment, the magnetron includes magnetic pole pieces, and the magnetic pole pieces are not covered by the encapsulating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Brian T. WEST, Roger M. JOHNSON, Michael S. COX
  • Publication number: 20150047975
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber used to process a substrate. In one implementation, a sputtering target for a sputtering chamber is provided. The sputtering target comprises a sputtering plate with a backside surface having radially inner, middle and outer regions and an annular-shaped backing plate mounted to the sputtering plate. The backside surface has a plurality of circular grooves which are spaced apart from one another and at least one arcuate channel cutting through the circular grooves and extending from the radially inner region to the radially outer region of sputtering plate. The annular-shaped backing plate defines an open annulus exposing the backside surface of the sputtering plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Brian T. WEST, Michael S. COX, Jeonghoon OH
  • Publication number: 20150043123
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electrostatic chuck (ESC) having azimuthal temperature control. In one embodiment, the electrostatic chuck includes an insulating base, a dielectric layer disposed on the insulating base, the dielectric layer having a substrate supporting surface, an electrode assembly disposed between the insulating base and the substrate supporting surface, and a plurality of heating elements coupled to the insulating base, the heating elements azimuthally control a temperature profile across a substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. COX
  • Publication number: 20150036260
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein generally relate to an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The ESC may comprise a reduced number of stress initiation points, such as holes through the ESC, which may improve the mechanical integrity of the ESC. Electrodes disposed within the ESC may be connected to electrical contacts and a power source via conductive leads, which may be coupled or formed along a peripheral edge of the ESC. Thus, the need for holes formed in the ESC may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, gas channels may be formed on a top surface, a bottom surface, or both. The gas channels may reduce or eliminate the need for a gas channel formed through the ESC and may facilitate heat transfer between a substrate support, the ESC, and a substrate coupled to the ESC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. COX
  • Publication number: 20150036259
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The ESC may contain a first plurality of electrodes adapted to electrostatically couple a substrate to the ESC and a second plurality of electrodes adapted to electrostatically couple the ESC to a substrate support. Instead of being integrally disposed within the substrate support, the ESC may be easily removed from the substrate support and removed from a chamber for maintenance or replacement purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Steven V. SANSONI
  • Publication number: 20150022936
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a substrate support assembly including an electrostatic chuck with enhanced heat resistance. In one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck includes a support base, an electrode assembly having interleaved electrode fingers formed therein, and an encapsulating member disposed on the electrode assembly, wherein the encapsulating member is fabricated from one of a ceramic material or glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Zheng YUAN
  • Publication number: 20150022935
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an end effector capable of generating an electrostatic chucking force to chuck a substrate disposed therein without damaging the substrate. In one embodiment, an end effector for a robot, the end effector includes a body having an electrostatic chucking force generating assembly, and a mounting end coupled to the body, the mounting end for coupling the body to the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Michael S. COX, Michel Anthony ROSA
  • Patent number: 8887901
    Abstract: A conveyor sprocket assembly generally includes a support shaft, at least one conveyor sprocket slidably engaging the support shaft, and an abutment stop positioned adjacent the conveyor sprocket. The abutment stop is configured to be removed to allow the conveyor sprocket to slide axially along the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Cox, William J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8795488
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a feed structure to couple RF energy to a target may include a body having a first end to receive RF energy and a second end opposite the first end to couple the RF energy to a target, the body further having a central opening disposed through the body from the first end to the second end; a first member coupled to the body at the first end, wherein the first member comprises a first element circumscribing the body and extending radially outward from the body, and one or more terminals disposed in the first member to receive RF energy from an RF power source; and a source distribution plate coupled to the second end of the body to distribute the RF energy to the target, wherein the source distribution plate includes a hole disposed through the plate and aligned with the central opening of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Rasheed, Lara Hawrylchak, Michael S. Cox, Donny Young, Kirankumar Savandaiah, Alan Ritchie
  • Patent number: 8753989
    Abstract: High tensile stress in a deposited layer, such as a silicon nitride layer, may be achieved utilizing one or more techniques employed either alone or in combination. In one embodiment, a silicon nitride film having high tensile stress may be formed by depositing the silicon nitride film in the presence of a porogen. The deposited silicon nitride film may be exposed to at least one treatment selected from a plasma or ultraviolet radiation to liberate the porogen. The silicon nitride film may be densified such that a pore resulting from liberation of the porogen is reduced in size, and Si—N bonds in the silicon nitride film are strained to impart a tensile stress in the silicon nitride film. In another embodiment, tensile stress in a silicon nitride film may be enhanced by depositing a silicon nitride film in the presence of a nitrogen-containing plasma at a temperature of less than about 400° C., and exposing the deposited silicon nitride film to ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mihaela Balseanu, Michael S. Cox, Li-Qun Xia, Mei-Yee Shek, Jia Lee, Vladimir Zubkov, Tzu-Fang Huang, Rongping Wang, Isabelita Roflox, Hichem M'Saad