Patents by Inventor Tadayoshi Kawaguchi

Tadayoshi Kawaguchi 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: 11094509
    Abstract: The features of the present invention are that a plasma processing apparatus includes: a process chamber in which a sample is plasma-processed; a dielectric window which airtightly seals an upper part of the process chamber; an inductive antenna which is disposed at an upper part of the dielectric window and forms an induction magnetic field; a radio frequency power source which supplies radio frequency power to the inductive antenna; and a Faraday shield to which radio frequency power is supplied from the radio frequency power source and which is disposed between the dielectric window and the inductive antenna, and the plasma processing apparatus further includes a monitoring unit which monitors a current flowing in the Faraday shield and a control unit which controls the monitored current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Satake, Kenetsu Yokogawa, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi, Takamasa Ichino
  • Patent number: 10998168
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus that can adjust an induction magnetic field distribution of power feeding sections of an induction coil, correct a plasma distribution on a specimen, and apply uniform plasma processing to the specimen, the specimen is subjected to plasma processing, a dielectric window that forms the upper surface of the vacuum processing chamber, a gas lead-in section that leads gas into the vacuum processing chamber, a specimen table that is arranged in the vacuum processing chamber and on which the specimen is placed, an induction coil provided above the dielectric window, and a radio-frequency power supply that supplies radio-frequency power to the induction coil. The plasma processing apparatus includes a flat conductor arranged below the induction coil. The induction coil includes crossing power feeding sections. The conductor is arranged below the power feeding sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Sakka, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10796884
    Abstract: A plasma processing device includes a processing chamber for generating a plasma, a vacuum window that constitutes a part of a wall of the processing chamber, induction antennas including at least two systems for generating plasma in the processing chamber, radio frequency power sources for applying the current independently to the respective induction antennas, and a controller including phase circuits for controlling the phase of the current of the radio frequency power sources of the respective systems or the current value over time, and a control unit. The controller sequentially time modulates the phase difference between currents flowing to the systems or the current value within a sample processing period to move the plasma generation position so as to make the ion incident angle to the wafer uniform in the wafer plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tetsuka, Makoto Satake, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20200066487
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus that can adjust an induction magnetic field distribution of power feeding sections of an induction coil, correct a plasma distribution on a specimen, and apply uniform plasma processing to the specimen, the specimen is subjected to plasma processing, a dielectric window that forms the upper surface of the vacuum processing chamber, a gas lead-in section that leads gas into the vacuum processing chamber, a specimen table that is arranged in the vacuum processing chamber and on which the specimen is placed, an induction coil provided above the dielectric window, and a radio-frequency power supply that supplies radio-frequency power to the induction coil. The plasma processing apparatus includes a flat conductor arranged below the induction coil. The induction coil includes crossing power feeding sections. The conductor is arranged below the power feeding sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Sakka, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10541115
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus that can adjust an induction magnetic field distribution of power feeding sections of an induction coil, correct a plasma distribution on a specimen, and apply uniform plasma processing to the specimen, the specimen is subjected to plasma processing, a dielectric window that forms the upper surface of the vacuum processing chamber, a gas lead-in section that leads gas into the vacuum processing chamber, a specimen table that is arranged in the vacuum processing chamber and on which the specimen is placed, an induction coil provided above the dielectric window, and a radio-frequency power supply that supplies radio-frequency power to the induction coil. The plasma processing apparatus includes a flat conductor arranged below the induction coil. The induction coil includes crossing power feeding sections. The conductor is arranged below the power feeding sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku Sakka, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10229813
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus including a processing chamber, a dielectric window for hermetically sealing the upper portion of the processing chamber, an induction antenna deployed above the dielectric window, a Faraday shield unit, and a control apparatus for controlling a first radio-frequency power source for supplying a radio-frequency power to the induction antenna, and a second radio-frequency power source for supplying a radio-frequency power to the Faraday shield unit, the Faraday shield unit includes a first Faraday shield having a first element, and a second Faraday shield having a second element deployed at a position adjacent to the first element, the control apparatus applying a time modulation to the radio-frequency powers that are respectively supplied to the first element and the second element, the phase of the first-element-supplied and time-modulated radio-frequency power being different from the phase of the second-element-supplied and time-modulated radio-frequency power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadayoshi Kawaguchi, Ryoji Nishio, Tsutomu Tetsuka
  • Publication number: 20180068835
    Abstract: The features of the present invention are that a plasma processing apparatus includes: a process chamber in which a sample is plasma-processed; a dielectric window which airtightly seals an upper part of the process chamber; an inductive antenna which is disposed at an upper part of the dielectric window and forms an induction magnetic field; a radio frequency power source which supplies radio frequency power to the inductive antenna; and a Faraday shield to which radio frequency power is supplied from the radio frequency power source and which is disposed between the dielectric window and the inductive antenna, and the plasma processing apparatus further includes a monitoring unit which monitors a current flowing in the Faraday shield and a control unit which controls the monitored current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Makoto SATAKE, Kenetsu YOKOGAWA, Tadayoshi KAWAGUCHI, Takamasa ICHINO
  • Publication number: 20150311040
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus including a processing chamber, a dielectric window for hermetically sealing the upper portion of the processing chamber, an induction antenna deployed above the dielectric window, a Faraday shield unit, and a control apparatus for controlling a first radio-frequency power source for supplying a radio-frequency power to the induction antenna, and a second radio-frequency power source for supplying a radio-frequency power to the Faraday shield unit, the Faraday shield unit includes a first Faraday shield having a first element, and a second Faraday shield having a second element deployed at a position adjacent to the first element, the control apparatus applying a time modulation to the radio-frequency powers that are respectively supplied to the first element and the second element, the phase of the first-element-supplied and time-modulated radio-frequency power being different from the phase of the second-element-supplied and time-modulated radio-frequency power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: TADAYOSHI KAWAGUCHI, RYOJI NISHIO, TSUTOMU TETSUKA
  • Patent number: 9039865
    Abstract: The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus in which ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are arranged closed to and along an induction antenna 1 composed of an inner circumference coil 1a and an outer circumference coil 1b. Ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are each characterized in that the radius from the center of the apparatus and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor body varies along the circumferential angle of the coils. Since the mutual inductances between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the induction antenna 1 and between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the plasma along the circumferential position are controlled, it becomes possible to compensate for the coil currents varied along the circumference of the coils of the induction antenna 1, and to improve the non-uniformity in the circumferential direction of the current in the generated plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Yoshioka, Motohiko Yoshigai, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20150068681
    Abstract: A plasma processing device includes a processing chamber for generating a plasma, a vacuum window that constitutes a part of a wall of the processing chamber, induction antennas including at least two systems for generating plasma in the processing chamber, radio frequency power sources for applying the current independently to the respective induction antennas, and a controller including phase circuits for controlling the phase of the current of the radio frequency power sources of the respective systems or the current value over time, and a control unit. The controller sequentially time modulates the phase difference between currents flowing to the systems or the current value within a sample processing period to move the plasma generation position so as to make the ion incident angle to the wafer uniform in the wafer plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tetsuka, Makoto Satake, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20130299091
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a flat-plate-like dielectric window, an induction coil, a flat electrode, a RF power source, a gas supply unit, and a sample stage on which a sample is mounted. A process gas supply plate is provided opposite the dielectric window on an inner side of the processing chamber, and a recess portion is formed in the flat electrode on a side opposite the induction coil corresponding to a gas supply position of the process gas supply plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusaku SAKKA, Ryoji NISHIO, Tadayoshi KAWAGUCHI, Tsutomu TETSUKA
  • Publication number: 20130160949
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus which includes a plasma processing chamber for plasma-processing a sample, an induction antenna disposed outside the plasma processing chamber, a radio-frequency power supply for supplying radio-frequency power to the induction antenna, and a unit for controlling electrostatic capacity including a Faraday shield capacitively coupled with plasma and a dielectric window allowing an induction magnetic field to transmit into the plasma processing chamber is provided; electrostatic capacity between the Faraday shield and the dielectric window at a center portion and electrostatic capacity between the Faraday shield and the dielectric window at an edge portion are controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Yusaku SAKKA, Ryoji NISHIO, Tadayoshi KAWAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130087288
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus that can adjust an induction magnetic field distribution of power feeding sections of an induction coil, correct a plasma distribution on a specimen, and apply uniform plasma processing to the specimen, the specimen is subjected to plasma processing, a dielectric window that forms the upper surface of the vacuum processing chamber, a gas lead-in section that leads gas into the vacuum processing chamber, a specimen table that is arranged in the vacuum processing chamber and on which the specimen is placed, an induction coil provided above the dielectric window, and a radio-frequency power supply that supplies radio-frequency power to the induction coil. The plasma processing apparatus includes a flat conductor arranged below the induction coil. The induction coil includes crossing power feeding sections. The conductor is arranged below the power feeding sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Yusaku SAKKA, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20120267050
    Abstract: A uniform plasma processing to a sample is performed by adjusting the distribution of the induced magnetic field in an inductively-coupled-plasma processing apparatus and correcting the plasma distribution on the sample. Between an induction coil and a dielectric window a conductor is provided along the induction coil and side by side with at least a part of the induction coil in its circumferential direction. The conductor is set up at a location where the intensity of the induced magnetic field generated from the induction coil is wished to be weakened and the relationship of Lp?Lr is satisfied, letting the shortest distance from the induction coil to the surface of the conductor be Lr and letting the shortest distance from the induction coil to the plasma generated directly under the dielectric window be Lp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Yusaku SAKKA, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20120138229
    Abstract: The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus having a means for generating a plasma capable of correcting the eccentricity of the plasma diffused above the wafer caused by magnetic field or by vacuum eccentricity, comprising a vacuum processing chamber in which a sample is processed via plasma, a gas supply means for supplying gas into the vacuum processing chamber, a sample stage disposed within the vacuum processing chamber on which the sample is placed, an induction coil disposed outside the vacuum processing chamber, a radio frequency power supply for supplying radio frequency power to the induction coil, a Faraday shield being capacitively coupled with the plasma, and an eccentricity correction means disposed between the induction coil and a dielectric sealing window constituting an upper surface of the vacuum processing chamber, wherein the eccentricity correction means generates a plasma capable of correcting the eccentricity of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Yusaku SAKKA, Ryoji NISHIO, Tadayoshi KAWAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110108194
    Abstract: The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus in which ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are arranged closed to and along an induction antenna 1 composed of an inner circumference coil 1a and an outer circumference coil 1b. Ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are each characterized in that the radius from the center of the apparatus and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor body varies along the circumferential angle of the coils. Since the mutual inductances between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the induction antenna 1 and between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the plasma along the circumferential position are controlled, it becomes possible to compensate for the coil currents varied along the circumference of the coils of the induction antenna 1, and to improve the non-uniformity in the circumferential direction of the current in the generated plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Ken YOSHIOKA, Motohiko Yoshigai, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080236494
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus, comprising: a processing chamber arranged within a vacuum vessel; a sample table arranged within the processing chamber on which a sample to be processed is placed; electric field supplying means for supplying an electric field to form plasma within the processing chamber; a plate member formed of a dielectric material for constituting a ceiling plane of the processing chamber and transmitting the electric field; a cover member formed of a dielectric material for constituting a part of a side wall for the entire circumference of the processing chamber, facing the plasma, and propagating the electric field radiated from the plate member; and a conductive member internally arranged for almost the entire circumference of the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: TADAYOSHI KAWAGUCHI, Muneo Furuse
  • Publication number: 20080236744
    Abstract: To provide a plasma processing equipment that can reduce the particles or contamination in a sample by suppressing the occurrence of an abnormal electric discharge during processing. The plasma processing equipment that employs a plasma process using a halogen-based gas in fabricating a semiconductor device, wherein a plasma sprayed coating film is applied to a surface of a well, such as a wall in a processing chamber, which plasma is in constant with, and wherein a conductor is incorporated into a material of this plasma sprayed coating film, thereby making the plasma sprayed coating film conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Muneo Furuse, Shingo Kimura, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20080180030
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a vacuum container, a processing chamber arranged in the vacuum container and supplied with a processing gas, a holding electrode arranged in the processing chamber for holding a sample to be processed, on the upper surface thereof, an electric field supply unit for supplying an electric field and a magnetic field supply unit for supplying a magnetic field to form the plasma in the space above the holding electrode in the processing chamber, and a grounded wall member making up the inner wall, substantially in the shape of a truncated cone, of the processing chamber above the holding electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tetsuka, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20070215278
    Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus is provided which can prevent corrosion of an aluminum substrate constituting an etching processing chamber or an inside component thereof, thereby avoiding a reduction in productivity due to scattering of a sprayed coating. In the plasma etching apparatus, an anodic oxide film is disposed between a ceramic sprayed coating with excellent resistance to plasma, and the etching processing chamber and the inside component thereof made of aluminum alloy. The anodic oxide film has a thickness of 5 ?m or less to have heat resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Muneo Furuse, Masanori Kadotani, Katsuji Matano, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi, Masatsugu Arai