Patents Assigned to Applied Materials
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Patent number: 10903052Abstract: Exemplary systems according to embodiments of the present technology include a housing that defines a process chamber and a waveguide cavity. A first conductive plate is disposed within the housing. The system also includes a second conductive plate positioned within the housing and at least partially defining the waveguide cavity. The second conductive plate is vertically translatable within the housing to adjust a distance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate to affect modes of electromagnetic radiation propagating within the waveguide cavity. The systems also include one or more electronics sets that are configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation into the waveguide cavity to produce plasma from at least one process gas delivered within the process chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Satoru Kobayashi, Hideo Sugai, Nikolai Kalnin, Soonam Park, Toan Tran, Dmitry Lubomirsky
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Patent number: 10903066Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatuses for processing a substrate. In one or more embodiments, a heater support kit includes a heater assembly contains a heater plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a chuck ring disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the heater plate, a heater arm assembly contains a heater arm and supporting the heater assembly, and a heater support plate disposed between the heater plate and the heater arm and in contact with at least a portion of the lower surface of the heater plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Tuan Anh Nguyen, Jeongmin Lee, Anjana M. Patel, Abdul Aziz Khaja
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Patent number: 10899892Abstract: A method for preparing a bonding component comprises mixing a first solution comprising an organofluorine monomer unit with a second solution comprising an organosilicon monomer unit to form, in-situ, a copolymer solution comprising a copolymer of an organofluorine polymer and an organosilicon polymer based on the organofluorine monomer unit and the organosilicon monomer unit. The method further comprises depositing the copolymer solution onto a body to form a film of the copolymer, and curing the film of the copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Y. Sun, Sumanth Banda
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Patent number: 10903121Abstract: Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits involves forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer, the mask composed of a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask is then patterned with a uniform rotating laser beam laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps, exposing regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is then plasma etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jungrae Park, Karthik Balakrishnan, James S. Papanu
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Patent number: 10903056Abstract: Plasma source assemblies comprising an RF hot electrode having a body and at least one return electrode spaced from the RF hot electrode to provide a gap in which a plasma can be formed. An RF feed is connected to the RF hot electrode at a distance from the inner peripheral end of the RF hot electrode that is less than or equal to about 25% of the length of the RF hot electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kallol Bera, Anantha K. Subramani, John C. Forster, Philip A. Kraus, Farzad Houshmand, Hanhong Chen
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Patent number: 10901407Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for compressing sensor data collected within a manufacturing environment. One embodiment monitors a plurality of runs of a recipe for fabricating one or more semiconductor devices within a manufacturing environment to collect runtime data from a plurality of sensors within the manufacturing environment. The collected runtime data is compressed by generating, for each of the plurality of sensors and for each of the plurality of runs, a respective representation of the corresponding runtime data that describes a shape of the corresponding runtime data and a magnitude of the corresponding runtime data. A query specifying one or more runtime data attributes is received and executed against the compressed runtime data to generate query results, by comparing the one or more runtime data attributes to at least one of the generated representations of runtime data.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Iskandar, Michael D. Armacost, Heng Hao
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Patent number: 10901021Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for determining a processing parameter of a processing operation. Some embodiments include a diagnostic substrate that comprises a substrate, a circuit layer over the substrate, a capping layer over the circuit layer, and a sensing region across the capping layer. In an embodiment, the sensing region comprises, an array of first micro resonators and a second micro resonator. In an embodiment, the array of first micro resonators surround the second micro resonator.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Chuang-Chia Lin, Upendra Ummethala
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Publication number: 20210020499Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor processing approach wherein a wafer twist is employed to increase etch rate, at select locations, along a hole or space end arc. By doing so, a finished hole may more closely resemble the shape of the incoming hole end. In some embodiments, a method may include providing an elongated contact hole formed in a semiconductor device, and etching the elongated contact hole while rotating the semiconductor device, wherein the etching is performed by an ion beam delivered at a non-zero angle relative to a plane defined by the semiconductor device. The elongated contact hole may be defined by a set of sidewalls opposite one another, and a first end and a second end connected to the set of sidewalls, wherein etching the elongated contact hole causes the elongated contact hole to change from an oval shape to a rectangular shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glen F.R. Gilchrist, Shurong Liang
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Publication number: 20210017639Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling plasma profiles during PVD deposition processes are disclosed. Some embodiments utilize EM coils placed above the target to control the plasma profile during deposition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Jansen, Keith A. Miller, Prashanth Kothnur, Martin Riker, David Gunther, Emily Schooley
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Publication number: 20210017665Abstract: Cleaning substrates or electroplating system components may include methods of rinsing a substrate at a semiconductor plating chamber. The methods may include moving a head from a plating bath to a first position. The head may include a substrate coupled with the head. The methods may include rotating the head for a first period of time to sling bath fluid back into the plating bath. A residual amount of bath fluid may remain. The methods may include delivering a first fluid to the substrate from a first fluid nozzle to at least partially expel the residual amount of bath fluid back into the plating bath. The methods may include moving the head to a second position. The methods may include rotating the head for a second period of time. The methods may also include delivering a second fluid across the substrate from a second fluid nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Sam Lee, Kyle M. Hanson, Eric J. Bergman
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Patent number: 10896833Abstract: A method for detecting an endpoint of a seasoning process in a process chamber includes obtaining seasoning progress data indicating a progress of the seasoning process for each substrate of a first plurality of substrates, and collecting historical parameter values from a plurality of sensors disposed in the process chamber. The historical parameter values for each substrate of the first plurality of substrates are normalized with respect to a plurality of parameter values for a particular substrate in the first plurality of substrates. An MVA model is generated by applying a set of coefficients to the normalized parameter values for each substrate of the first plurality of substrates, and the set of coefficients are regressed based on the seasoning progress data. An end point of the seasoning process is determined using the MVA model with a plurality of substantially real-time parameter values measured when performing a seasoning process over each substrate of a second plurality of substrates.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Subrahmanyam Venkata Rama Kommisetti, Eda Tuncel, Shayne Smith, Liming Zhang, Sathyendra Ghantasala, Ryan Patz
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Patent number: 10896799Abstract: An IHC ion source with multiple configurations is disclosed. For example, an IHC ion source comprises a chamber, having at least one electrically conductive wall, and a cathode and a repeller disposed on opposite ends of the chamber. Electrodes are disposed on one or more walls of the ion source. Bias voltages are applied to at least one of the cathode, repeller and the electrodes, relative to the electrically conductive wall of the chamber. Further, the IHC ion source comprises a configuration circuit, which receives the various voltages as input voltages, and provides selected output voltages to the cathode, repeller and electrodes, based on user input. In this way, the IHC ion source can be readily reconfigured for different applications without rewiring the power supplies, as is currently done. This configuration circuit may be utilized with other types of ion sources as well.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Klaus Becker, Carlos M. Goulart, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Alexander S. Perel
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Publication number: 20210013038Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Abhijit Basu Mallick, Pramit Manna, Yihong Chen, Ziqing Duan, Rui Cheng, Shishi Jiang
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Publication number: 20210013055Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a factory interface and a load lock coupled with the factory interface. The systems may include a transfer chamber coupled with the load lock. The transfer chamber may include a robot configured to retrieve substrates from the load lock. The systems may include a chamber system positioned adjacent and coupled with the transfer chamber. The chamber system may include a transfer region laterally accessible to the robot. The transfer region may include a plurality of substrate supports disposed about the transfer region. Each substrate support of the plurality of substrate supports may be vertically translatable. The transfer region may also include a transfer apparatus rotatable about a central axis and configured to engage substrates and transfer substrates among the plurality of substrate supports. The chamber system may also include a plurality of processing regions vertically offset and axially aligned with an associated substrate support.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Steve Hongkham, Charles T. Carlson, Tuan A. Nguyen, Swaminathan T. Srinivasan, Khokan Chandra Paul
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Publication number: 20210013084Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a transfer region housing defining a transfer region fluidly coupled with a plurality of processing regions. A sidewall of the transfer region housing may define a sealable access for providing and receiving substrates. The systems may include a plurality of substrate supports disposed within the transfer region. The systems may also include a transfer apparatus having a central hub including a first shaft and a second shaft counter-rotatable with the first shaft. The transfer apparatus may include an eccentric hub extending at least partially through the central hub, and which is radially offset from a central axis of the central hub. The transfer apparatus may also include an end effector coupled with the eccentric hub. The end effector may include a plurality of arms having a number of arms equal to the number of substrate supports of the plurality of substrate supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Luke Bonecutter, Charles T. Carlson, Rajkumar Thanu, Karuppasamy Muthukamatchi, Jeff Hudgens, Benjamin Riordon
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Publication number: 20210013068Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a transfer region housing defining a transfer region, and including substrate supports and a transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus may include a central hub having a housing, and including a first shaft and a second shaft. The housing may be coupled with the second shaft, and may define an internal housing volume. The transfer apparatus may include a plurality of arms equal to a number of substrate supports of the plurality of substrate supports. Each arm of the plurality of arms may be coupled about an exterior of the housing. The transfer apparatus may include a plurality of arm hubs disposed within the internal housing volume. Each arm hub of the plurality of arm hubs may be coupled with an arm of the plurality of arms through the housing. The arm hubs may be coupled with the first shaft of the central hub.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Charles T. Carlson, Luke Bonecutter, David Blahnik, Karuppasamy Muthukamatchi, Jeff Hudgens, Benjamin Riordon
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Publication number: 20210013069Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a first lid plate seated on the chamber body along a first surface of the first lid plate and defining a plurality of apertures through the plate. The first lid plate may also define a recessed ledge about each aperture. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks equal to a number of apertures of the plurality of apertures. Each lid stack may be seated on the first lid plate on a separate recessed ledge of the first lid plate. The plurality of lid stacks may at least partially define a plurality of processing regions vertically offset from the transfer region. The systems may also include a second lid plate coupled with the plurality of lid stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Viren Kalsekar, Vinay Prabhakar
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Publication number: 20210013067Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a transfer region housing defining an internal volume. A sidewall of the transfer region housing may define a sealable access for providing and receiving substrates. The systems may include a plurality of substrate supports disposed within the transfer region. The systems may also include a transfer apparatus having a central hub including a first shaft and a second shaft concentric with and counter-rotatable to the first shaft. The transfer apparatus may include a first end effector coupled with the first shaft. The first end effector may include a plurality of first arms. The transfer apparatus may also include a second end effector coupled with the second shaft. The second end effector may include a plurality of second arms having a number of second arms equal to the number of first arms of the first end effector.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Charles T. Carlson, Jason M. Schaller, Luke Bonecutter, David Blahnik
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Publication number: 20210008727Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a transfer region housing defining a transfer region fluidly coupled with a plurality of processing regions. A sidewall of the transfer region housing may define a sealable access for providing and receiving substrates. The systems may include a transfer apparatus having a central hub including a shaft extending at a distal end through the transfer region housing into the transfer region. The transfer apparatus may include a lateral translation apparatus coupled with an exterior surface of the transfer region housing, and configured to provide at least one direction of lateral movement of the shaft. The systems may also include an end effector coupled with the shaft within the transfer region. The end effector may include a plurality of arms having a number of arms equal to a number of substrate supports of the plurality of substrate supports in the transfer region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul Z. Wirth, Charles T. Carlson, Jason M. Schaller
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Patent number: 10889891Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an abatement system and method for abating compounds produced in semiconductor processes. The abatement system includes a remote plasma source for generating an oxidizing plasma for treating exhaust gases from a deposition process performed in the processing chamber, the treatment assisting with the trapping particles in an exhaust cooling apparatus. The remote plasma source then generates a cleaning plasma for treating exhaust gases from a cleaning process performed in the processing chamber, the cleaning plasma reacting with the trapped particles in the exhaust cooling apparatus and cleaning the exhaust cooling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: James L'Heureux