Patents by Inventor Robert Kenneth Trowell

Robert Kenneth Trowell 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: 8425741
    Abstract: This invention relates to a broad beam ion deposition apparatus (100) including an ion source (101), a target (102), a tillable substrate table (103) and an auxiliary port (104). The target (102) is in the form of a carousel which carries a number of targets and the ion source (101) is configured to produce a substantially rectangular section beam (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aviza Technology Limited
    Inventors: Gary Proudfoot, Christopher David George, Paulo Edurado Lima, Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Patent number: 8354652
    Abstract: This invention relates to an Ion gun (10) which comprises of plasma generator (11) driven from an RF source (12), a plasma or source chamber (13), having an outlet (14), across which is mounted an accelerator grid (15). The accelerator grid (15) comprises four individual grids. The first grid (16), which is closest to the outlet (14), is maintained at a positive voltage by a DC source (16a), the second grid (17) is maintained strongly negative by DC source (17a). The third grid (18) is maintained at a negative voltage, which is much lower than that of the second grid (17), by DC source (18a) and the fourth grid is grounded. Means of mounting these grids are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Aviza Technology Limited
    Inventors: Gary Proudfoot, Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20100084569
    Abstract: This invention relates to a broad beam ion deposition apparatus (100) including an ion source (101), a target (102), a tillable substrate table (103) and an auxiliary port (104). The target (102) is in the form of a carousel which carries a number of targets and the ion source (101) is configured to produce a substantially rectangular section beam (105).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gary Proudfoot, Christopher David George, Paulo Edurado Lima, Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20090309042
    Abstract: This invention relates to an Ion gun (10) which comprises of plasma generator (11) driven from an RF source (12), a plasma or source chamber (13), having an outlet (14), across which is mounted an accelerator grid (15). The accelerator grid (15) comprises four individual grids. The first grid (16), which is closest to the outlet (14), is maintained at a positive voltage by a DC source (16a), the second grid (17) is maintained strongly negative by DC source (17a). The third grid (18) is maintained at a negative voltage, which is much lower than that of the second grid (17), by DC source (18a) and the fourth grid is grounded. Means of mounting these grids are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gary Proudfoot, Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20080245770
    Abstract: A substrate processing system as illustrated at (1). A substrate (2) lies upon a piston (3) shown in both the loading position (3a) and in a processing position (3b). The substrate is loaded via a port (4) through a door (5). The loading area (7a), and/or the hole chamber (7) may be pumped out via a vacuum exhaust pipe (6) connected to a pump (not shown). A linear drive mechanism shown diagrammatically at (8) lifts the piston and the substrate in the chamber such that a process volume (7b) of the chamber is defined with poor gas conduction between the piston and the walls of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: AVIZA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Carl David M. Brancher, John MacNeil, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Patent number: 6929724
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter for use in physical vapour deposition apparatus having a chamber. The shutter, generally indicated at 5, is located in a side housing 6 of the vacuum chamber 7, whilst sputtering is taking place. Once the substrate 2 is treated, the substrate is removed from the chamber and the shutter is brought in to an operative position above a wafer pedestal or support 1. The shutter is mounted on an arm 8 using a fixing boss 10, the arm and the boss being magnetically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Trikon Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20040050690
    Abstract: A magnetic assembly (15) is mounted on a lead screw (12) on one side of a spunter target (14). A further lead screw (11) carries a counter weight (16). The lead screws can be rotated by a stepper motor (13) to adjust the lateral positions of assembly (15) and weight (16). The stepper motor and hence the assembly (15), can be rotated about a vertical axis by shaft (17) and motor (18) so that a magnetic field can be swept around the target (14). The position of the assembly (15) is varied in accordance with a process characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell, Anthony William Barrass, Robert William Teagle, Ian Moncrieff, Stephen Robert Burgess
  • Publication number: 20030209199
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter for use in physical vapour deposition apparatus having a chamber. The shutter, generally indicated at 5, is located in a side housing 6 of the vacuum chamber 7, whilst sputtering is taking place. Once the substrate 2 is treated, the substrate is removed from the chamber and the shutter is brought in to an operative position above a wafer pedestal or support 1. The shutter is mounted on an arm 8 using a fixing boss 10, the arm and the boss being magnetically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20030166390
    Abstract: A pedestal for mounting semiconductor fabrication equipment within a clean room. The pedestal includes a base frame sitting on a waffle slab and utility connections. The equipment can readily be connected to the utility connections when positioned on the pedestal. The utility connections are located at the periphery of or across part of a face of the pedestal to thereby define a service area within the periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon Robert Green, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Patent number: 6517087
    Abstract: A seal is formed between two parts of a high pressured chamber by means of a rigid ring, which is formed with curved surfaces, that engage with an anvil and an enclosure part, the anvil having a similar curved projection. At least one of the engaging surfaces is coated with a soft metal e.g. silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Trikon Equipments Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Isaac Jeffryes, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Publication number: 20010042963
    Abstract: A seal is formed between two parts of a high pressured chamber by means of a rigid ring, which is formed with curved surfaces, that engage with an anvil and an enclosure part, the anvil having a similar curved projection. At least one of the engaging surfaces is coated with a soft metal e.g. silver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Andrew Isaac Jeffryes, Robert Kenneth Trowell
  • Patent number: 6279917
    Abstract: A seal is formed between two parts of a high pressured chamber by means of a rigid ring (13), which is formed with curved surfaces (17), that engage with an anvil (14) and an enclosure part (10), the anvil (14) having a similar curved projection (18). At least one of the engaging surfaces is coated with a soft metal e.g. silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Trikon Equipments Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Isaac Jeffryes, Robert Kenneth Trowell