Patents by Inventor William T. Levay

William T. Levay 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: 9062377
    Abstract: Methods of reducing glitch rates within an ion implanter are described. In one embodiment, a plasma-assisted conditioning is performed, wherein the bias voltage to the extraction electrodes is modified so as to inhibit the formation of an ion beam. The power supplied to the plasma generator in the ion source is increased, thereby creating a high density plasma, which is not extracted by the extraction electrodes. This plasma extends from the ion source chamber through the extraction aperture. Energetic ions then condition the extraction electrodes. In another embodiment, a plasma-assisted cleaning is performed. In this mode, the extraction electrodes are moved further from the ion source chamber, and a different source gas is used to create the plasma. In some embodiments, a combination of these modes is used to reduce glitches in the ion implanter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Levay, George M. Gammel, Bon-Woong Koo, Brant S. Binns, Richard M. White
  • Patent number: 9034743
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the ion chamber is first coated with the desired dopant species and another species. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant, is introduced to the chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. The other species used during the conditioning process may be a Group 3, 4 or 5 element. The desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, William T. Levay, Christopher J. Leavitt, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle, John W. Graff, Nicholas P T Bateman
  • Publication number: 20150034837
    Abstract: An ion source includes an ion source chamber, a gas source to provide a fluorine-containing gas species to the ion source chamber and a cathode disposed in the ion source chamber configured to emit electrons to generate a plasma within the ion source chamber. The ion source chamber and cathode are comprised of a refractory metal. A phosphide insert is disposed within the ion source chamber and presents an exposed surface area that is configured to generate gas phase phosphorous species when the plasma is present in the ion source chamber, wherein the phosphide component is one of boron phosphide, tungsten phosphide, aluminum phosphide, nickel phosphide, calcium phosphide and indium phosphide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, William T. Levay, Richard M. White, Eric R. Cobb
  • Publication number: 20150024580
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the ion chamber is first coated with the desired dopant species and another species. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant, is introduced to the chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. The other species used during the conditioning process may be a Group 3, 4 or 5 element. The desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, William T. Levay, Christopher J. Leavitt, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle, John W. Graff, Nicholas PT Bateman
  • Publication number: 20140099430
    Abstract: Methods of reducing glitch rates within an ion implanter are described. In one embodiment, a plasma-assisted conditioning is performed, wherein the bias voltage to the extraction electrodes is modified so as to inhibit the formation of an ion beam. The power supplied to the plasma generator in the ion source is increased, thereby creating a high density plasma, which is not extracted by the extraction electrodes. This plasma extends from the ion source chamber through the extraction aperture. Energetic ions then condition the extraction electrodes. In another embodiment, a plasma-assisted cleaning is performed. In this mode, the extraction electrodes are moved further from the ion source chamber, and a different source gas is used to create the plasma. In some embodiments, a combination of these modes is used to reduce glitches in the ion implanter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: William T. Levay, George M. Gammel, Bon-Woong Koo, Brant S. Binns, Richard M. White