Patents Assigned to Applied Material
  • Patent number: 10795346
    Abstract: Operating a substrate processing system includes receiving a plurality of sets of training data, storing a plurality of machine learning models, storing a plurality of physical process models, receiving a selection of a machine learning model from the plurality of machine learning models and a selection of a physical process model from the plurality of physical process models, generating an implemented machine learning model according to the selected machine learning model, calculating a characterizing value for each training spectrum in each set of training data thereby generating a plurality of training characterizing values with each training characterizing value associated with one of the plurality of training spectra, training the implemented machine learning model using the plurality of training characterizing values and plurality of training spectra to generate a trained machine learning model, and passing the trained machine learning model to a control system of the substrate processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Yennie, Benjamin Cherian
  • Patent number: 10796888
    Abstract: A ring shaped body includes a top flat region, a ring inner side and a ring outer side. The ring inner side comprises an approximately vertical wall. A conformal protective layer is disposed on at least the top flat region, the ring inner side and the ring outer side of the ring shaped body. The protective layer has a first thickness of less than 300 ?m on the top flat region and a second thickness on the vertical wall of the ring inner side, where the second thickness is 45-70% of the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Y. Sun, Biraja P. Kanungo, Vahid Firouzdor, Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 10793954
    Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagarajan Rajagopalan, Xinhai Han, Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Masaki Ogata, Zhijun Jiang, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Thomas Nowak, Jianhua Zhou, Ramprakash Sankarakrishnan, Amit Kumar Bansal, Jeongmin Lee, Todd Egan, Edward Budiarto, Dmitriy Panasyuk, Terrance Y. Lee, Jian J. Chen, Mohamad A. Ayoub, Heung Lak Park, Patrick Reilly, Shahid Shaikh, Bok Hoen Kim, Sergey Starik, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10796935
    Abstract: An electronic device manufacturing system may include a loadlock. The loadlock may include a plurality of gas line heaters for providing a heated gas to the loadlock to heat a processed substrate therein. Heating a processed substrate may reduce corrosion in the loadlock and subsequent contamination of substrates therein. The loadlock may also include a plurality of embedded heaters in the loadlock housing to reduce moisture therein, further reducing corrosion and contamination. Methods of heating a substrate in a loadlock are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Wyatt, Edward Ng, Andrew Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10796922
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a plasma source includes a first electrode, configured for transfer of one or more plasma source gases through first perforations therein; an insulator, disposed in contact with the first electrode about a periphery of the first electrode; and a second electrode, disposed with a periphery of the second electrode against the insulator such that the first and second electrodes and the insulator define a plasma generation cavity. The second electrode is configured for movement of plasma products from the plasma generation cavity therethrough toward a process chamber. A power supply provides electrical power across the first and second electrodes to ignite a plasma with the one or more plasma source gases in the plasma generation cavity to produce the plasma products. One of the first electrode, the second electrode and the insulator includes a port that provides an optical signal from the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Soonam Park, Yufei Zhu, Edwin C. Suarez, Nitin K. Ingle, Dmitry Lubomirsky, Jiayin Huang
  • Publication number: 20200312653
    Abstract: Methods and precursors for selectively depositing a metal film on a silicon nitride surface relative to a silicon oxide surface are described. The substrate comprising both surfaces is exposed to a blocking compound to selectively block the silicon oxide surface. A metal film is then selectively deposited on the silicon nitride surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Fredrickson, Atashi Basu, Mihaela Balseanu, Ning Li
  • Publication number: 20200312874
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing memory devices are provided. The methods decrease the thickness of the first layers and increase the thickness of the second layers. Semiconductor devices are described having a film stack comprising alternating nitride and second layers in a first portion of the device, the alternating nitride and second layers of the film stack having a nitride:oxide thickness ratio (Nf:Of); and a memory stack comprising alternating word line and second layers in a second portion of the device, the alternating word line and second layers of the memory stack having a word line:oxide thickness ratio (Wm:Om), wherein 0.1(Wm:Om)<Nf:Of<0.95(Wm:Om).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Seok Kang, Tomohiko Kitajima, Mukund Srinivasan, Sanjay Natarajan
  • Patent number: 10788744
    Abstract: A processing system includes: a vacuum chamber; a plurality of processing sub-systems attached around the vacuum chamber; and a wafer handling system in the vacuum chamber for moving the wafer among the plurality of processing systems without exiting from a vacuum. A physical vapor deposition system for manufacturing an extreme ultraviolet blank comprising: a target comprising molybdenum, molybdenum alloy, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Cara Beasley, Majeed Foad
  • Patent number: 10790153
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for performing electron beam etching process. In one embodiment, a method of etching a substrate includes delivering a process gas to a process volume of a process chamber, applying a RF power to an electrode formed from a high secondary electron emission coefficient material disposed in the process volume, generating a plasma comprising ions in the process volume, bombarding the electrode with the ions to cause the electrode to emit electrons and form an electron beam, applying a negative DC power to the electrode, accelerating electrons emitted from the bombarded electrode toward a substrate disposed in the process chamber, and etching the substrate with the accelerated ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue Guo, Yang Yang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Gonzalo Monroy, Lucy Zhiping Chen
  • Patent number: 10790139
    Abstract: A silicon and oxygen-containing film, such as a silicon dioxide film, is deposited in the absence of an oxidizer by introducing siloxane precursors into a plasma processing chamber and dissociating at least some of the Si—H bonds of the siloxane precursors by, for example, exposing the siloxane precursors to a low energy plasma. The silicon and oxygen-containing film may be formed on an oxidation-prone surface without oxidizing the oxidation-prone surface. The deposited silicon and oxygen-containing film may serve as an initiation layer for a silicon dioxide bulk layer that is formed on top of the initiation layer using conventional silicon oxide deposition techniques, such as exposing the siloxane precursors to an oxygen-containing plasma. The initiation layer may be post-treated or cured to reduce the concentration of Si—H bonds prior to or after the deposition of the bulk layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Saxton Underwood, Abhijit Basu Mallick
  • Patent number: 10790183
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and device structures for horizontal gate all around (hGAA) isolation and fin field effect transistor (FinFET) isolation. A superlattice structure comprising different materials arranged in an alternatingly stacked formation may be formed on a substrate. In one embodiment, at least one of the layers of the superlattice structure is oxidized by a high pressure oxidation process to form a buried oxide layer adjacent the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiyu Sun, Keith Tatseun Wong, Kurtis Leschkies, Namsung Kim, Srinivas Nemani
  • Patent number: 10790175
    Abstract: Embodiments include a real time etch rate sensor and methods of for using a real time etch rate sensor. In an embodiment, the real time etch rate sensor includes a resonant system and a conductive housing. The resonant system may include a resonating body, a first electrode formed over a first surface of the resonating body, a second electrode formed over a second surface of the resonating body, and a sacrificial layer formed over the first electrode. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the first electrode is not covered by the sacrificial layer. In an embodiment, the conductive housing may secure the resonant system. Additionally, the conductive housing contacts the first electrode, and at least a portion of an interior edge of the conductive housing may be spaced away from the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Timothy Joseph Franklin
  • Patent number: 10790180
    Abstract: Electrostatic chucks with variable pixelated magnetic field are described. For example, an electrostatic chuck (ESC) includes a ceramic plate having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface for supporting a wafer or substrate. A base is coupled to the back surface of the ceramic plate. A plurality of electromagnets is disposed in the base, the plurality of electromagnets configured to provide pixelated magnetic field tuning capability for the ESC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsun Hsu, Tza-Jing Gung, Benjamin Schwarz, Shahid Rauf, Ankur Agarwal, Vijay D. Parkhe, Michael D. Willwerth, Zhiqiang Guo
  • Patent number: 10790188
    Abstract: Methods for filling a substrate feature with a seamless ruthenium gap fill are described. The methods include depositing a ruthenium film, oxidizing the ruthenium film to form an oxidized ruthenium film, reducing the oxidized ruthenium film to a reduced ruthenium film and repeating the oxidation and reduction processes to form a seamless ruthenium gap fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nasrin Kazem, Jeffrey W. Anthis, David Thompson
  • Patent number: 10790116
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a main chamber, the main chamber comprising a plurality of electrodes; an entrance tunnel, the entrance tunnel having an entrance axis extending into the main chamber along a first direction; and an exit tunnel, connected to the main chamber and defining an exit axis, wherein the entrance axis and the exit axis define a beam bend of at least 30 degrees therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Frank Sinclair, Shengwu Chang
  • Patent number: 10790123
    Abstract: Process kits, processing chambers, and methods for processing a substrate are provided. The process kit includes an edge ring, a sliding ring, an adjustable tuning ring, and an actuating mechanism. The edge ring has a first ring component interfaced with a second ring component that is movable relative to the first ring component forming a gap therebetween. The sliding ring is positioned beneath the edge ring. The adjustable tuning ring is positioned beneath the sliding ring. The actuating mechanism is interfaced with the lower surface of the adjustable tuning ring and configured to actuate the adjustable tuning ring such that the gap between the first and second ring components is varied. In one or more examples, the sliding ring includes a matrix and a coating, the matrix contains an electrically conductive material and the coating contains an electrically insulting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Yogananda Sarode Vishwanath
  • Patent number: 10784085
    Abstract: An external magnetic filter to trap electrons surrounds a reactor chamber and has multiple magnets arranged in a circle, the magnetic orientation of each individual magnet being rotated relative to the orientation of the adjacent individual magnet by a difference angle that is a function of the arc subtended by the individual magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Yang Yang, Lawrence Wong
  • Patent number: 10784132
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for de-chucking a workpiece is described that uses a swing voltage sequence. One example pertains to a method that includes applying a mechanical force from an electrostatic chuck against the back side of a workpiece that is electrostatically clamped to the chuck, applying a sequence of voltage pulses with a same polarity to the electrodes, each pulse of the sequence having a lower voltage than the preceding pulse, each pulse of the sequence having a lower voltage than the preceding pulse, and determining whether the workpiece is released from the chuck after the sequence of additional voltage pulses and if the workpiece is not released then repeating applying the sequence of voltage pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Haitao Wang, Wonseok Lee, Sergio Fukuda Shoji, Chunlei Zhang, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10784107
    Abstract: Methods of forming self-aligned patterns are described. A film material is deposited on a patterned film to fill and cover features formed by the patterned film. The film material is recessed to a level below the top of the patterned film. The recessed film is converted to a metal film by exposure to a metal precursor followed by volumetric expansion of the metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit Basu Mallick, Pramit Manna, Yihong Chen, Ziqing Duan, Rui Cheng, Shishi Jiang
  • Patent number: 10780497
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus for forming a part includes a support, a first dispenser to deliver a layer of first particles on a support or an underlying layer on the support, a second dispenser to deliver second particles onto the layer of first particles such that the second particles infiltrate into the layer of first particles, an energy source to fuse the first particle and second particles to form a fused layer of the part, and a controller coupled to the first dispenser, second dispenser and energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hou T. Ng, Nag B. Patibandla, Ajey M. Joshi, Ashavani Kumar, Kasiraman Krishnan