Patents Assigned to MKS Instruments
  • Patent number: 11187561
    Abstract: A system and method for dividing a single mass flow into secondary flows of a desired ratio. The system and method include paths for the secondary flows that include a laminar flow element and two pressure sensors. The nonlinear relationship between flow and pressure upstream and downstream of the laminar flow elements can be transformed into a function comprised of the upstream and downstream pressure that has a linear relationship with the flow. This transformation allows for flow ratio control applications using signals from pressure sensors even if there is no information the fluid species and the flow rate into the flow ratio controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Junhua Ding
  • Patent number: 11158488
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) generator system includes first and second RF power sources, each RF power source applying a respective RF signal and second RF signal to a load. The first RF signal is applied in accordance with the application of the second RF signal. The application of the first RF signal is synchronized to application of the second RF signal. The first RF signal may be amplitude modulated in synchronization with the second RF signal, and the amplitude modulation can include blanking of the first RF signal. A frequency offset may be applied to the first RF signal in synchronization with the second RF signal. A variable actuator associated with the first RF power source may be controlled in accordance with the second RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: MKS Instruments, Inc., Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron T. Radomski, Benjamin J. Gitlin, Larry J. Fisk, II, Mariusz Oldziej, Aaron M. Burry, Jonathan W. Smyka, Alexei Marakhtanov, Bing Ji, Felix Leib Kozakevich, John Holland, Ranadeep Bhowmick
  • Publication number: 20210311448
    Abstract: A power supply control system includes a power generator for providing a signal to a load. The power generator includes a power controller controlling a power amplifier. The power generator includes an adaptive controller for varying the output signal controlling the power amplifier. The adaptive controller compares an error between a measured output and a predicted output to determine adaptive values applied to the power controller. The power generator also includes a sensor that generates an output signal that is digitized and processed. The sensor signal is mixed with a constant K. The constant K is varied to vary the processing of the sensor output signal. The value K may be commutated based on the phase, frequency, or both phase and frequency, and the bandwidth of K is determined by coupled power in the sensor output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. COUMOU, Yuriy ELNER, Aung TOE, Daniel M. GILL, Eldridge M. MOUNT, IV, Shaun SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210293644
    Abstract: A capacitance manometer is disclosed which includes at least one electrode structure having an inner electrode structure and an outer electrode structure separated by at least one gap, at least one flexible diaphragm having at least one conductive material positioned thereon or integrated therein may be positioned in movable relation to the electrode structure and in proximity to the electrode structure, and at least one non-planar baffle having an inner baffle structure and an outer baffle structure separated by at least one baffle orifice positioned distantly from the electrode structure proximate to the flexible diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip W. Sullivan, Sergei Syssoev, Ethan E. Manor, Swaminathan Venkatesan, Paul D. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20210274644
    Abstract: A clamp configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board to cool and compress one or more electrical connections subject to repeated power and thermal cycling. A first conductive column of the clamp is configured to compress a first electrical connection between a first power device lead and a first printed circuit board trace of the printed circuit board, and draw thermal energy away from the first power device lead. The first conductive column extends from a load spreading plate. The load spreading plate is an insulator that electrically isolates a fastener extending therefrom from the first conductive column. The fastener is configured to cooperate with the circuit board to connect the clamp to the circuit board, compress the load spreading plate against the first conductive column to compress the first electrical connection, and connect the clamp to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ky LUU, Aaron T. RADOMSKI, Dave COFFTA
  • Patent number: 11076477
    Abstract: A clamp configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board to cool and compress one or more electrical connections subject to repeated power and thermal cycling. A first conductive column of the clamp is configured to compress a first electrical connection between a first power device lead and a first printed circuit board trace of the printed circuit board, and draw thermal energy away from the first power device lead. The first conductive column extends from a load spreading plate. The load spreading plate is an insulator that electrically isolates a fastener extending therefrom from the first conductive column. The fastener is configured to cooperate with the circuit board to connect the clamp to the circuit board, compress the load spreading plate against the first conductive column to compress the first electrical connection, and connect the clamp to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ky Luu, Aaron T. Radomski, Dave Coffta
  • Patent number: 11054058
    Abstract: A cooled isolation valve includes a valve body, a stationary element coupled to the valve body, and a movable closure element movable with respect to the stationary element between a closed position in which the movable closure element and the stationary element are brought together and an open position. One of the movable closure element and the stationary element includes a sealing element. In the closed position of the movable closure element, the sealing element provides a seal between the movable closure element and the stationary element. A fluid channel is formed in contact with the movable closure element and movable with the movable closure element with respect to the stationary element, such that a fluid in the fluid channel effects heat transfer in the movable closure element. A bellows of the isolation valve can include a metallic substrate with a ceramic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Hill, David F. Broyer, David C. Neumeister, Bradly Raymond Lefevre
  • Patent number: 11042140
    Abstract: A power supply control system includes a power generator for providing a signal to a load. The power generator includes a power controller controlling a power amplifier. The power generator includes an adaptive controller for varying the output signal controlling the power amplifier. The adaptive controller compares an error between a measured output and a predicted output to determine adaptive values applied to the power controller. The power generator also includes a sensor that generates an output signal that is digitized and processed. The sensor signal is mixed with a constant K. The constant K is varied to vary the processing of the sensor output signal. The value K may be commutated based on the phase, frequency, or both phase and frequency, and the bandwidth of K is determined by coupled power in the sensor output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Coumou, Yuriy Elner, Aung Toe, Daniel M. Gill, Eldridge M. Mount, IV, Shaun Smith
  • Patent number: 11024489
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning a pumping line having a plurality of inline plasma sources coupled thereto. The method includes supplying a cleaning gas to the pumping line from a wafer processing chamber connected to the pumping line. The method also includes generating a localized plasma at one or more of the plurality of inline plasma sources using the cleaning gas flowing in the pumping line. Each localized plasma is adapted to clean at least a portion of the pumping line. The method further includes determining one or more impedances of the localized plasma at the one or more inline plasma sources and monitoring the one or more impendences to detect an endpoint of the cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Hill, Scott Benedict, Kevin Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11019715
    Abstract: A plasma chamber of a plasma processing system is provided. The plasma chamber defines a plasma channel having a first side and a second side oppositely disposed along a length of the plasma channel. The plasma chamber comprises a first section and a second section constructed from a dielectric material and an interface that bonds together the first and second sections at between a first flange of the first section and a third flange of the second section and between a second flange of the first section and a fourth flange of the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xing Chen, Ilya Pokidov, Atul Gupta
  • Patent number: 11009843
    Abstract: A power supply control system includes a power generator for providing a signal to a load. The power generator includes a power controller controlling a power amplifier. The power generator includes an adaptive controller for varying the output signal controlling the power amplifier. The adaptive controller compares an error between a measured output and a predicted output to determine adaptive values applied to the power controller. The power generator also includes a sensor that generates an output signal that is digitized and processed. The sensor signal is mixed with a constant K. The constant K is varied to vary the processing of the sensor output signal. The value K may be commutated based on the phase, frequency, or both phase and frequency, and the bandwidth of K is determined by coupled power in the sensor output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Coumou, Yuriy Elner, Aung Toe, Daniel M. Gill, Eldridge M. Mount, IV, Shaun Smith
  • Patent number: 11011940
    Abstract: A radio frequency power system is provided that includes bias modules, a switch, a matching network, and a control module. The bias modules are configured to generate respectively DC bias voltages. The switch is configured to (i) receive current from the bias modules, and (ii) control flow of the current from the bias modules to generate a radio frequency bias voltage signal. The matching network is configured to (i) receive the radio frequency bias voltage signal, and (ii) based on the radio frequency bias voltage signal, supply at least a portion of a radio frequency output voltage signal to an electrode of a substrate support in a processing chamber. The control module is connected to the switch and configured to control a state of the switch based on the radio frequency output voltage signal to shape a waveform of the radio frequency bias voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ky Luu, Aaron T. Radomski
  • Patent number: 10998354
    Abstract: A novel multi-junction detector device and method of manufacture is disclosed, which includes providing a housing, at least one system mount body positioned within the housing, forming at least one beam dump region in the system mount body in optical communication with at least one first detector having a first wavelength responsivity range positioned on the system mount body and at least one second detector having a second wavelength responsivity range positioned on the system mount body in optical communication with the first detector. An arcuate shape, an arcuate shape of varying radius, a polygonal shape or a polyhedral shape may be formed on at least one mount body wall in the beam dump region. The method may also comprise depositing at least one reflectivity enhancing material onto the mount body wall. The method may further comprise depositing an energy dissipating material on the mount body wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Greggory W Switzer
  • Publication number: 20210102293
    Abstract: A microwave magnetron includes a cathode for emitting electrons, a filament for receiving a filament current to heat the cathode to enable to cathode to emit the electrons, and an anode to which anodic power can be applied to affect a flow of the electrons. An anodic power input receives the anodic power to be applied to the anode, the anodic power being characterized by an anodic current, an anodic voltage, and an anodic impedance, the anodic impedance being a quotient of the anodic voltage and the anodic current. An electromagnet power input receives electromagnet power and applies the electromagnet power to an electromagnet to control an intensity of a magnetic field, the electromagnet power being characterized by an electromagnet current. A controller adjusts at least one of the parameters of the magnetron to affect the flow of electrons while maintaining the anodic impedance constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Braghiroli, Paolo Balocchi
  • Patent number: 10969290
    Abstract: A cold cathode ionization gauge (CCIG) includes an extended anode, a cathode surrounding the anode along a length of the anode, and a feedthrough insulator supporting the anode. The cathode forms a discharge space around the anode to enable formation of a plasma between the anode and the cathode and a resultant ion current flow into the cathode. The CCIG further includes a magnet applying a magnetic field through the discharge space to lengthen free electron paths to sustain the plasma. A shield is electrically isolated from the insulator and shields the insulator from electrons of the plasma. The shield may be mounted to the cathode and surrounds and is spaced from the anode. An electric controller applies voltage between the anode and the cathode to create ionization with plasma discharge between the anode and the cathode, the controller determining pressure based on measured ion current flow to the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney
  • Patent number: 10948456
    Abstract: A gas analyzer system uses an ionization source, which can be a hot cathode ionization source. A magnet assembly is positioned to define a magnetic field, which permits separation of ion components based on their mass to charge ratio. An ion beam deflector is used, such as a pair of deflector plates, which can scan ion components across a detector. The ion beam deflector defines a deflection electric field across the magnetic field and across a direction of travel of the ions emitted from the ionization source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney, Clinton L. Percy
  • Patent number: 10940635
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating a dielectric preform material. An exemplary method includes inserting the preform material into a microwave cavity along a longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity and supplying the microwave cavity with microwave power having a frequency that corresponds to an axial wavelength along the longitudinal axis of the microwave cavity. The axial wavelength is greater than a length of the preform material along the longitudinal axis. The method includes heating the preform material within the microwave cavity by the microwave power and determining temperatures of the preform material at one or more locations on a surface of the preform material. The method further includes adjusting, based on the temperatures of the preform material, the microwave frequency to achieve substantially uniform heating at least on a sidewall of the preform material along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xing Chen, David Lam, Kevin W. Wenzel, Ilya Pokidov
  • Patent number: 10930474
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting gas flow patterns and gas-plasma interactions including a toroidal plasma chamber. The toroidal plasma chamber has an injection member, an output member, a first side member and a second side member that are all connected. The first side member has a first inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the first side member and a second inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the first side member, where the first inner cross-sectional area and the second inner-cross-sectional area being different. The second side member has a third inner cross-sectional area in at least a portion of the second side member and a fourth inner cross-sectional area in at least another portion of the second side member, where the third inner cross-sectional area and the fourth inner-cross-sectional area being different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Chaolin Hu, Xing Chen
  • Patent number: 10930470
    Abstract: A radio frequency power system includes a master RF generator and an auxiliary RF generator, wherein each generator outputs a respective RF signal. The master RF generator also outputs a RF control signal to the auxiliary RF generator, and the RF signal output by the auxiliary RF generator varies in accordance with the RF control signal. The auxiliary RF generator receives sense signals indicative of an electrical characteristic of the respective RF signals output by the master RF generator and the auxiliary RF generator. The auxiliary RF generator determines a phase difference between the RF signals. The sensed electrical characteristics and the phase are used independently or cooperatively to control the phase and amplitude of the RF signal output by the auxiliary RF generator. The auxiliary generator includes an inductive clamp circuit that returns energy reflected energy back from a coupling network to a variable resistive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron T. Radomski, Ky Luu, Larry J. Fisk, II, Ross Reinhardt, Matthew G. Harrington, Amish Rughoonundon, Jesse N. Klein, Aaron M. Burry
  • Patent number: 10928265
    Abstract: A total pressure cold cathode ionization gauge is disclosed. An inverted magnetron electrode design is capable of simultaneously detecting and measuring total gas pressure in a high vacuum system, along with partial pressures of one or more gases, such as hydrogen, helium and water. In addition, a leak detector, such as a helium leak detector, is disclosed with a compact counterflow arrangement of a gas inlet passage to an ion detection passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney, Clinton L. Percy