Patents Assigned to Ebara Corporation
  • Patent number: 12046500
    Abstract: A transport apparatus includes a hand, a drive mechanism, a cover member, and a gas supply member. The hand is configured to hold a wafer. The drive mechanism is configured to transport the wafer by moving the hand. The cover member has an opposing surface opposed to a surface of the wafer held by the hand and is formed with a plurality of holes opened in the opposing surface. The gas supply member is configured to supply an inert gas to the surface of the wafer via the plurality of holes of the cover member. The plurality of holes are formed in the opposing surface so that an opening ratio of an outer peripheral portion of the opposing surface is higher than an opening ratio of a central portion of the opposing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 12042901
    Abstract: A cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning device with cleaning liquid includes a chemical liquid inlet portion and a dilution water inlet portion, a first chemical liquid control unit fluidically connected to the chemical liquid inlet portion and the dilution water inlet portion, and a second chemical liquid control unit fluidically connected to the chemical liquid inlet portion and the dilution water inlet portion. The first chemical liquid control unit includes a first chemical-liquid-flow-rate control unit, a first dilution-water-flow-rate control unit, and a first mixing portion. The second chemical liquid control unit includes a second chemical-liquid-flow-rate control unit, a second dilution-water-flow-rate control unit, and a second mixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haiyang Xu, Fujihiko Toyomasu
  • Publication number: 20240242960
    Abstract: An information processing device 3A includes: a calculation processing part 301, calculating start timings of respective processes when the respective processes are performed in order on a predetermined number of wafers W in a substrate processing device 2; an event reception part 302, receiving event information indicating an occurrence situation of an event affecting execution of any of the respective processes; and a re-calculation part 303, re-calculating the start timings of the respective processes based on the occurrence situation of the event indicated in the event information when the event information is received by the event reception part 302 during execution of the respective processes by the substrate processing device 2 in accordance with the start timings of the respective processes calculated by the calculation processing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: MITSUNORI SUGIYAMA
  • Patent number: 12036634
    Abstract: A local polishing system comprises: a particle estimation unit (30) for estimating the film thickness distribution of a wafer; a local polishing region setting unit (11) for setting a local polishing region on the wafer based on the film thickness distribution; a polishing head selection unit (12) for selecting a polishing head based on the size of the local polishing region; a model storage (20) holding a recipe generating model that defines the relation between an input node and an output node, the input node being an attribute of the local polishing region, the output node comprising a recipe for a polishing process; a polishing recipe generator (13) that puts an attribute of the local polishing region set by the local polishing region setting unit (11) into the input node of the recipe generating model and determines a polishing recipe for polishing the local polishing region; and a polishing recipe transmitter (15) for transmitting data of the polishing recipe to a local polishing module (200) that perfo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Takeda, Tsuneo Torikoshi, Kunio Oishi, Katsuhide Watanabe, Hozumi Yasuda, Yu Ishii
  • Patent number: 12030092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate cleaning method and a substrate cleaning apparatus for cleaning a substrate, such as a wafer. The substrate cleaning method includes: holding a periphery of a substrate (W) with holding rollers (6); rotating the substrate (W) about its central axis by rotating the holding rollers (6) about their respective central axes; delivering a two-fluid jet from a two-fluid jet nozzle (2) to a surface of the substrate (W) while moving the two-fluid jet nozzle (2) in a radial direction of the substrate (W), the two-fluid jet (2) being composed of a mixture of a first liquid and a gas; and when the two-fluid jet is being delivered to the surface of the substrate (W), delivering a fan-shaped jet of a second liquid from a spray nozzle (3) to the surface of the substrate (W) to form a flow of the second liquid on the surface of the substrate (W). The fan-shaped jet is located away from the two-fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Kodera, Keisuke Uchiyama, Satoru Yamamoto, Hokuto Yamanobe
  • Patent number: 12033847
    Abstract: To perform both buff cleaning of a substrate surface and cleaning of an edge part of the substrate, a cleaning module includes: a rotary table configured to support a circular substrate and have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the substrate; a buff cleaning portion configured to buff clean a front side of the substrate while contacting the front side of the substrate supported by the rotary table; a buff cleaning portion movement mechanism configured to move the buff cleaning portion with respect to the substrate; a buff cleaning portion control mechanism configured to control an operation of the buff cleaning portion movement mechanism; and an edge cleaning portion configured to clean an edge part of the substrate while contacting the edge part of the substrate supported by the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshio Mizuno, Yosuke Himori, Erina Baba, Tomoatsu Ishibashi, Itsuki Kobata
  • Patent number: 12027402
    Abstract: An adjusting system is controlled such that an arrangement of the substrate is adjusted based on detection by a first sensor, and a second sensor is controlled to detect a characteristic point formed in advance on a plate surface of the substrate, wherein the arrangement of the substrate has been adjusted based on the detection by the first sensor. Moreover, it is checked whether a position of the characteristic point detected by the second sensor is within an allowable range, and the adjusting system is controlled to adjust the arrangement of the substrate based on the detection by the second sensor when the position of the characteristic point detected by the second sensor is within the allowable range, and the attaching/detaching system is controlled to attach the substrate to the substrate holder after the arrangement of the substrate is adjusted based on the detection by the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshio Yokoyama, Tomonori Hirao, Takuya Tsushima, Hirotaka Ohashi
  • Patent number: 12023777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature regulating apparatus for regulating a temperature of a polishing surface of a polishing pad used for polishing a substrate, such as a wafer. The present invention further relates to a polishing apparatus including such a temperature regulating apparatus. The temperature regulating apparatus (5) includes: a heat exchanger (11) having a heating flow passage (61) and a cooling flow passage (62) formed therein; a holder (90) arranged over the heat exchanger (11); a coupling mechanism (80) configured to detachably fix the heat exchanger (11) to the holder (90), the coupling mechanism (80) including: a first hook (73) fixed to an upper surface of the heat exchanger (11); and a second hook (83) held by the holder (90). The second hook (83) is configured to be able to be engaged with and disengaged from the first hook (73).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Kamiki, Toru Maruyama, Yasuyuki Motoshima
  • Publication number: 20240213061
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer detection device detects a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer detection device includes a light sensor, a detector, and a droplet guide member. The light sensor includes a light emitter having a light emitting surface that emits light, and a light receiver having a light receiving surface that receives the light from the light emitter. The detector detects the semiconductor wafer based on the light received by the light receiver. The droplet guide member causes a droplet adhering to the light emitting surface to flow down. The droplet guide member includes a liquid guide part of a plate shape. The liquid guide part is arranged with a tip facing the center of the light emitting surface when viewed in a direction of an optical axis of the light emitting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: TOMOAKI FUJIMOTO, KUNIMASA MATSUSHITA
  • Publication number: 20240207995
    Abstract: A polishing device is capable of reducing variations in responsiveness of multiple pressure regulators. The polishing device includes multiple buffer tanks T1 to T6. Each of the buffer tanks T1 to T6 includes a tank section 120 made of a rigid body and a volume adjustment device 122 which adjusts a volume of the buffer tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: YOSHITAKA KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20240207999
    Abstract: A substrate drying device as a substrate rotation processing device includes: a substrate holding mechanism, holding a substrate horizontally; a rotating cover, configured to surround the substrate and having a side wall part surrounding the substrate and a bottom surface part in an inner side of the side wall part; a rotation mechanism, rotating the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism and the rotating cover; and a gas supply nozzle, supplying gas with respect to a back surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism through the bottom surface part of the rotating cover. Multiple discharge holes for discharging gas supplied from the gas supply nozzle are formed on the bottom surface part of the rotating cover. The discharge holes have inclined surfaces formed inclined with respect to a rotating surface of the rotating cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: HIROKI MIYAMOTO
  • Patent number: 12020976
    Abstract: To detach a substrate from a table without damaging the substrate. According to Embodiment 1, provided is a substrate processing apparatus including a table to hold a substrate, a plurality of lift pins that are arranged at periphery of the table and configured to arrange or separate the substrate on or from the table and to be movable in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the table, a drive mechanism that includes a motor to move the lift pins in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the table, and a control device that is configured to control the drive mechanism. The control device is configured to be capable of moving the lift pins at a first speed and at a second speed different from the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haiyang Xu, Koji Maeda, Mitsuhiko Inaba
  • Patent number: 12017323
    Abstract: A polishing head system capable of precisely controlling a film-thickness profile of a workpiece, such as a wafer, substrate, or panel, is disclosed. The polishing head system includes a polishing head having a plurality of piezoelectric elements configured to apply pressing forces to a workpiece, and an operation controller configured to determine instruction values of voltages to be applied to the plurality of piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Itsuki Kobata, Hozumi Yasuda, Akio Yanai, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Takamasa Nakamura, Keisuke Sakata, Nobuyuki Takada, Yuji Yagi, Yasuhiro Takada, Katsuhide Watanabe
  • Patent number: 12020954
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate with a processing liquid. The substrate processing apparatus according to one embodiment includes: a support portion having a placement surface on which a substrate is placed in a horizontal posture; a processing tank configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate and process the substrate; an elevating portion configured to raise and lower the support portion in order to lower the substrate into the processing tank and raise the substrate from the processing tank; a gripping portion configured to grip a periphery of the substrate supported by the support portion above the processing tank, and receive the substrate from the support portion; and a first nozzle configured to emit a gas onto the substrate, gripped by the gripping portion, to dry the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ohashi, Toshio Yokoyama, Mizuki Nagai, Ryu Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20240189959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polishing pad and a polishing apparatus for use in polishing of a substrate, such as a wafer. Further, the present invention relates to a method of polishing a substrate, such as a wafer. At least a part of the polishing pad (30) is made of a light transmissive material (34) and a light reactive material (35). The light reactive material (35) is mixed into the light transmissive material (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke NAMIKI
  • Patent number: 12009234
    Abstract: A control system which can efficiently perform an operational adjustment work and can safely adjust a unit is disclosed. The control system 20 includes a controller 10 and a plurality of terminal devices connectable to the controller 10. The controller 10 includes a storage device 110 storing a processing program, and a processor 120 for performing operations and calculations based on the processing program. The processing program including instructions to give an access operation right, which permits access by an adjustment target unit to an access target unit, to a target terminal device which is one of the terminal devices in response to a request for the access operation right, transmitted from the target terminal device to the controller 10, on the condition that an exclusive operation right for the access target unit has not been given to any of the terminal devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Fujiki, Nobuhito Kiyosawa, Kei Kitamura
  • Patent number: 12002688
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning device includes: a pressing member that cleans a substrate by contacting the substrate; a load measurement unit that measures a pressing load of the cleaning member; and a control unit that repeats an operation of comparing the measurement value of the load measurement unit with the setting load, changing the pressing amount of the cleaning member by a first movement amount so that a difference value decreases, when the difference value is larger than a first threshold value and equal to or smaller than a second threshold value, and changing the pressing amount of the cleaning member by a second movement amount larger than the first movement amount so that the difference value decreases, when the difference value is larger than the second threshold value, until the difference value becomes equal to or smaller than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haiyang Xu, Mitsuhiko Inaba
  • Patent number: 12002704
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus which can enhance the efficiency of processing of a substrate, such as a wafer, is disclosed. The substrate holding apparatus for holding a substrate and rotating the substrate, includes: rollers capable of contacting a periphery of the substrate; a roller rotating mechanism configured to rotate the rollers; and eccentric shafts coupling the rollers and the roller rotating mechanism, the eccentric shafts having first shaft portions and second shaft portions, the second shaft portions being eccentric relative to the first shaft portions, the first shaft portions being secured to the roller rotating mechanism, and the rollers being secured to the second shaft portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Kashiwagi, Manao Hoshina
  • Patent number: D1034248
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinozaki
  • Patent number: D1035468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinozaki