Patents Assigned to Applied Material
  • Patent number: 12196617
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling temperature profile of a substrate within an epitaxial chamber includes a bottom center pyrometer and a bottom outer pyrometer to respectively measure temperatures at a center location and an outer location of a first surface of a susceptor of an epitaxy chamber, a top center pyrometer and a top outer pyrometer to respectively measure temperatures at a center location and an outer location of a substrate disposed on a second surface of the susceptor opposite the first surface, a first controller to receive signals, from the bottom center pyrometer and the bottom outer pyrometer, and output a feedback signal to a first heating lamp module that heats the first surface based on the measured temperatures of the first surface, and a second controller to receive signals, from the top center pyrometer, the top outer pyrometer, the bottom center pyrometer, and the bottom outer pyrometer, and output a feedback signal to a second heating lamp module that heats the substrate based on the mea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zuoming Zhu, Shu-Kwan Lau, Enle Choo, Ala Moradian, Flora Fong-Song Chang, Maxim D. Shaposhnikov, Bindusagar Marath Sankarathodi, Zhepeng Cong, Zhiyuan Ye, Vilen K. Nestorov, Surendra Singh Srivastava, Saurabh Chopra, Patricia M. Liu, Errol Antonio C. Sanchez, Jenny C. Lin, Schubert S. Chu
  • Patent number: 12198908
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing chamber for processing semiconductor substrates may include a pedestal to support a substrate with a heater zones and a wire mesh configured to deliver a Radio Frequency (RF) signal to a plasma. The chamber may also include heater zone controls that deliver current to the heater zones and a filter circuit between the heater zone controls and the heater zones. The filter circuit may include inductors on leads from the heater zones and a resonant circuit with a resonant inductor that is magnetically coupled to the lead inductors. The resonant circuit may produce a resonant peak that filters the RF signal delivered to the wire mesh from the leads from the heater zones to prevent the RF signal from reaching the heater zone controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward P. Hammond, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Alexander V. Garachtchenko
  • Patent number: 12195314
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting a process station from a processing module is described herein. The apparatus includes a lift assembly disposed on the processing module, a lift cage, and one or more guide pins. The lift assembly is disposed to be capable of reaching each of the process stations disposed within the processing module. The lift assembly is used for replacement and maintenance of the process stations and further enables the automated removal and placement of the process stations within the processing module. Maintenance methods enabled by the lift assembly are additionally disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Prasad, Kirankumar Neelasandra Savandaiah, Thomas Brezoczky, Srinivasa Rao Yedla
  • Patent number: 12201030
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally include spin-orbit torque magnetoresistive random-access memory (SOT-MRAM) devices and methods of manufacture thereof. The SOT-MRAM devices described herein include an SOT layer laterally aligned with a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack and formed over a trench in an interconnect. Thus, the presence of the SOT layer outside the area of the MTJ stack is eliminated, and electric current passes from the interconnect to the SOT layer by SOT-interconnect overlap. The devices and methods described herein reduce the formation of shunting current and enable the MTJ to self-align with the SOT layer in a single etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Minrui Yu, Wenhui Wang, Jaesoo Ahn, Jong Mun Kim, Sahil Patel, Lin Xue, Chando Park, Mahendra Pakala, Chentsau Chris Ying, Huixiong Dai, Christopher S. Ngai
  • Patent number: 12198903
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a first layer of a first material onto a surface of a chamber component of a processing chamber. The first material comprises a polymer, the polymer having a dielectric strength of at least 40 MV/m. The method further includes depositing a second layer of a second material onto the first layer. The second material comprises a first ceramic material impregnated into the first polymer or a second polymer. The method further includes depositing a third layer. The third layer is of a third material. The third material includes the first ceramic material or a second ceramic material. The third material does not adhere to the first polymer or the second polymer. The third material does adhere to the first ceramic material or the second ceramic material of the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Frederick Sommers, Joseph Frederick Behnke, Xue Yang Chang, Anwar Husain, Alexander Alhajj Sulyman, Timothy Joseph Franklin, David J. Coumou
  • Patent number: 12195843
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for multi-cathode barrier seed deposition for high aspect ratio features in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process are provided herein. In some embodiments, a PVD chamber includes a pedestal disposed within a processing region of the PVD chamber. The pedestal rotates with a workpiece on it. The PVD chamber includes a lid assembly includes a first target and a second target of a same target material, where a first surface of the first target defines a first zone of the processing region a first distance from the upper surface of the pedestal, and a second surface of the second target defines a second zone of the processing region a second distance from the plane of the upper surface of the pedestal. A system controller is configured to simultaneously control a first voltage bias for the first target and a second voltage bias for the second target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish V. Penmethsa, Ming-Jui Li
  • Patent number: 12198925
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of forming a silicon-and-carbon-containing material may include flowing a silicon-and-carbon-containing precursor into a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include forming a plasma within the processing region of the silicon-and-carbon-containing precursor. The plasma may be formed at a frequency above 15 MHz. The methods may include depositing a silicon-and-carbon-containing material on the substrate. The silicon-and-carbon-containing material as-deposited may be characterized by a dielectric constant below or about 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaunak Mukherjee, Kang Sub Yim, Deenesh Padhi, Abhijit A. Kangude, Rahul Rajeev, Shubham Chowdhuri
  • Patent number: 12195635
    Abstract: Liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles include an acrylic medium having a boiling point in a range of from greater than or equal to 100° C. to less than or equal to 500° C., quantum dot particles dispersed in the acrylic medium, a photo-initiator, and a surface additive. The liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles are useful as stable liquid formulations that resist gelling for spin-coating and ink-jet printing of color conversion layers in the manufacture of LED and micro-LED panels for advanced displays. Methods of manufacturing light-emitting devices using the liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kulandaivelu Sivanandan, Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Nag Bhushanam Patibandla
  • Patent number: 12198928
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing methods may include providing a carbon-containing precursor to a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be disposed within the processing region. The substrate may define one or more recessed features. The methods may include providing a second precursor to the processing region. The methods may include forming a plasma of the carbon-containing precursor and the second precursor in the processing region. Forming the plasma of the carbon-containing precursor and the second precursor may be performed at a plasma power of greater than or about 500 W. The methods may include depositing a carbon-containing material on the substrate. The carbon-containing material may extend within the one or more recessed features. The methods may include, subsequent depositing the carbon-containing material for a first period of time, applying a bias power while depositing the carbon-containing material for a second period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet S. Bagal, Qian Fu
  • Patent number: 12194591
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes a support configured to receive and hold a substrate in a plane, a polishing pad affixed to a cylindrical surface of a rotary drum, a first actuator to rotate the drum about a first axis parallel to the plane, a second actuator to bring the polishing pad on the rotary drum into contact with the substrate, and a port for dispensing a polishing liquid to an interface between the polishing pad and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ekaterina A. Mikhaylichenko, Fred C. Redeker, Brian J. Brown, Chirantha Rodrigo, Steven M. Zuniga, Jay Gurusamy
  • Patent number: 12198951
    Abstract: A high-pressure processing system for processing a substrate includes a first chamber, a pedestal positioned within the first chamber to support the substrate, a second chamber adjacent the first chamber, a vacuum processing system configured to lower a pressure within the second chamber to near vacuum, a valve assembly between the first chamber and the second chamber to isolate the pressure within the first chamber from the pressure within the second chamber, and a gas delivery system configured to introduce a processing gas into the first chamber and to increase the pressure within the first chamber to at least 10 atmospheres while the processing gas is in the first chamber and while the first chamber is isolated from the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiwei Liang, Srinivas D. Nemani, Adib Khan, Venkata Ravishankar Kasibhotla, Sultan Malik, Sean S. Kang, Keith Tatseun Wong
  • Patent number: 12198944
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) systems, and more particular, to modular polishing systems used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, a polishing system includes a first portion having a plurality of polishing stations disposed therein, and a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion comprising a substrate cleaning system. The substrate cleaning system comprises a wet-in/dry-out substrate cleaning module comprising a chamber housing which defines a chamber volume. The polishing system further includes a substrate handler located in the second portion, where the substrate handler is positioned to transfer substrates to or from the wet-in/dry-out substrate cleaning module through one or more openings formed in one or more sidewalls of the chamber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Brown, Ekaterina Mikhaylichenko, Jin Ji, Jagan Rangarajan, Steven M. Zuniga
  • Patent number: 12195867
    Abstract: Electrochemical deposition systems and methods are described that have enhanced crystallization prevention features. The systems may include a bath vessel operable to hold an electrochemical deposition fluid having a metal salt dissolved in water. The systems may also include sensors including a thermometer and concentration sensor operable to measure characteristics of the electrochemical deposition fluid. The systems further include a computer configured to perform operations that include receiving system data from the electrochemical system and generating a control signal to change a characteristic of the electrochemical deposition fluid to prevent crystallization of a metal salt in the fluid. The computer generates the control signal based on processing that may include comparing an actual metal salt concentration in the electrochemical deposition fluid to a theoretical solubility limit for the metal salt in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan Wook Roh, Xundong Dai, Keith Edward Ypma, Scott A. Wehrmann
  • Publication number: 20250014914
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a gasbox including a first plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first plate of the gasbox may define a central aperture that extends from the first surface to the second surface. The first plate may define an annular recess in the second surface. The first plate may define a plurality of apertures extending from the first surface to the annular recess in the second surface. The gasbox may include a second plate characterized by an annular shape. The second plate may be coupled with the first plate at the annular recess to define a first plenum within the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Rajeev, Yunzhe Yang, Abhijit A. Kangude, Kedar Joshi
  • Publication number: 20250010496
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a substrate gripping clamp. The substrate gripping clamp includes a clamp arm and a roller recess disposed therein. The substrate gripping clamp also includes a gripper disposed within the roller recess and coupled to the clamp arm. The gripper further includes a top bevel face, a bottom bevel face, and a mid roller face between the top bevel face and the bottom bevel face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Balasubramaniam CJ
  • Publication number: 20250014934
    Abstract: Exemplary support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a support surface that defines a substrate seat. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the chuck body. The assemblies may include a heater embedded within the chuck body. The assemblies may include a first bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body between the heater and support surface. The assemblies may include a second bipolar electrode embedded within the chuck body between the heater and support surface. Peripheral edges of one or both of the first and second bipolar electrodes may extend beyond an outer periphery of the seat. The assemblies may include an RF power supply coupled with the first and second bipolar electrodes. The assemblies may include a first floating DC power supply coupled with the first bipolar electrode. The assemblies may include a second floating DC power supply coupled with the second bipolar electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Li, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Zheng J. Ye, Paul L. Brillhart
  • Publication number: 20250014922
    Abstract: Metrology slot plates, processing chamber lids and processing chambers having metrology slot plates are described. Each of the metrology slot plates independently comprises one or more of a plate blank, a reflectometer, a capacitance sensor, a gas flow meter, a manometer, a pyrometer, a distance sensor (laser) or an emissometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Brian Doering, Vivek B. Shah, Ashutosh Agarwal, Sanjeev Baluja, Shrihari Sampathkumar, Chunlei Zhang
  • Patent number: 12191113
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for optimizing a full horizontal scanned beam distance of an accelerator beam. In one approach, a method may include positioning a first Faraday cup along a first side of an intended beam-scan area, positioning a second Faraday cup along a second side of the intended beam-scan area, scanning an ion beam along the first and second sides of the intended beam-scan area, measuring a first beam current of the ion beam at the first Faraday cup and measuring a second beam current of the ion beam at the second Faraday cup, and determining an optimal scan distance of the ion beam across the intended beam-scan area based on the first beam current and the second beam current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Wills, George M. Gammel, Eric Donald Wilson, Jay T. Scheuer, Xiangdong He, Shardul Patel, Robert C. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 12191117
    Abstract: An extraction assembly may include an extraction plate for placement along a side of a plasma chamber, and having an extraction aperture, elongated along a first direction, and having an aperture height, extending along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The extraction plate defines an inner surface along the extraction aperture, lying in a first plane. A beam blocker is disposed over the extraction aperture, and has an outer surface, disposed in a second plane, different than the first plane. As such, the beam blocker overlaps with the extraction plate along a first edge of the extraction aperture by a first overlap distance, and overlaps with the extraction plate along a second edge of the extraction aperture by a second overlap distance, so as to define a first extraction slit, along the first edge, and a second extraction slit along the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Jay R. Wallace, Solomon Belangedi Basame, Kevin R. Anglin, Tyler Rockwell
  • Patent number: 12187935
    Abstract: Liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles comprise an acrylic medium and quantum dot particles dispersed in the acrylic medium have an initial viscosity. The quantum particles comprise ligands attached to the quantum dot particles, the ligands comprising functional groups configured to stabilize the initial viscosity liquid dispersion of the quantum dot particles. The liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles are useful as stable liquid formulations that resist gelling for spin-coating and inkjet printing of color conversion layers in the manufacture of LED and micro-LED panel for advanced displays. Methods of manufacturing light-emitting devices using the liquid dispersions of quantum dot particles are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivapackia Ganapathiappan, Kulandaivelu Sivanandan, Nag Bhushanam Patibandla, Anthony Kipkorir