Patents Assigned to Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
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Patent number: 11295931Abstract: An ion implantation system, including an ion source, and a buncher to receive a continuous ion beam from the ion source, and output a bunched ion beam. The buncher may include a drift tube assembly, having an alternating sequence of grounded drift tubes and AC drift tubes. The drift tube assembly may include a first grounded drift tube, arranged to accept a continuous ion beam, at least two AC drift tubes downstream to the first grounded drift tube, a second grounded drift tube, downstream to the at least two AC drift tubes. The ion implantation system may include an AC voltage assembly, coupled to the at least two AC drift tubes, and comprising at least two AC voltage sources, separately coupled to the at least two AC drift tubes. The ion implantation system may include a linear accelerator, comprising a plurality of acceleration stages, disposed downstream of the buncher.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventor: Frank Sinclair
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Publication number: 20220080504Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for forming a conduit embedded within a component of a semiconductor manufacturing device (e.g., an ion implanter) using an additive manufacturing process (e.g., 3-D printing), wherein the conduit is configured to deliver a fluid throughout the component to provide heating, cooling, and gas distribution thereof. In one approach, the conduit includes a set of raised surface features formed on an inner surface of the conduit for varying fluid flow characteristics within the conduit. In another approach, the conduit may be formed in a helical configuration. In another approach, the conduit is formed with a polygonal cross section. In another approach, the component of the ion implanter includes at least one of an ion source, a plasma flood gun, a cooling plate, a platen, and/or an arc chamber base.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Joshua M. Abeshaus, Jordan B. Tye
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Patent number: 11222768Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor processing apparatus including one or more components having a conductive or nonconductive porous material. In some embodiments, an ion implanter may include a plurality of beam line components for directing an ion beam to a target, and a porous material along a surface of at least one of the plurality of beamline components.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: James Alan Pixley, Eric D. Hermanson, Philip Layne, Lyudmila Stone, Thomas Stacy
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Patent number: 11213891Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for forming a conduit embedded within a component of a semiconductor manufacturing device (e.g., an ion implanter) using an additive manufacturing process (e.g., 3-D printing), wherein the conduit is configured to deliver a fluid throughout the component to provide heating, cooling, and gas distribution thereof. In one approach, the conduit includes a set of raised surface features formed on an inner surface of the conduit for varying fluid flow characteristics within the conduit. In another approach, the conduit may be formed in a helical configuration. In another approach, the conduit is formed with a polygonal cross section. In another approach, the component of the ion implanter includes at least one of an ion source, a plasma flood gun, a cooling plate, a platen, and/or an arc chamber base.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Joshua M. Abeshaus, Jordan B. Tye
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Patent number: 11217491Abstract: Methods herein may include forming a gate dielectric within a set of trenches in a stack of layers. A first work function (WF) metal may be formed atop the gate dielectric, and a capping layer may be formed over the first WF metal using an angled ion implant deposition, the capping layer extending across the trenches.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Naushad K. Variam, Sony Varghese, Johannes Van Meer, Jae Young Lee
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Publication number: 20210375626Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate may include providing a cavity in a layer, disposed on the substrate. The cavity may have a first length along a first direction and a first width along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The method may include directing first angled ions in a first exposure to the cavity, wherein after the first exposure the cavity has a second length, greater than the first length; directing normal ions in a second exposure to the cavity, wherein the cavity retains the second length after the second exposure; and directing second angled ions to the cavity is a third exposure, subsequent to the second exposure, wherein the cavity has a third length, greater than the second length, after the third exposure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Anglin, Simon Ruffell
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Patent number: 11145496Abstract: A fastening system for attaching two components with a spring force is disclosed. The fastening system utilizes O-rings to provide the spring force, eliminating the need for any metal components. The O-ring may be disposed in an O-ring holder that has a plurality of spokes. When compressed, indentations are created in the O-ring by the spokes. The number of spokes and their size and shape determine the spring force of the fastening system. In another embodiment, vertically oriented O-rings are utilized. The fastening system may be used to fasten various components of an ion source.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Daniel McGillicudy, James P. Buonodono
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Patent number: 11127593Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate may include providing a cavity in a layer, disposed on the substrate. The cavity may have a first length along a first direction and a first width along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. The method may include directing first angled ions in a first exposure to the cavity, wherein after the first exposure the cavity has a second length, greater than the first length; directing normal ions in a second exposure to the cavity, wherein the cavity retains the second length after the second exposure; and directing second angled ions to the cavity is a third exposure, subsequent to the second exposure, wherein the cavity has a third length, greater than the second length, after the third exposure.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Anglin, Simon Ruffell
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Patent number: 11127556Abstract: In one embodiment, an ion extraction optics for extracting a plurality of ion beams is provided. The ion extraction optics may include, an extraction plate, the extraction plate defining a cut-out region, the cut-out region being elongated along a first direction. The extraction apparatus may include a slidable insert, the slidable insert disposed to overlap the cut-out region, and slidably movable with respect to the extraction plate, along the first direction, wherein the slidable insert and cut-out region define a first aperture and a second aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Jon Ballou, James P. Buonodono
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Patent number: 11114277Abstract: An ion source having dual indirectly heated cathodes is disclosed. Each of the cathodes may be independently biased relative to its respective filament so as to vary the profile of the beam current that is extracted from the ion source. In certain embodiments, the ion source is used in conjunction with an ion implanter. The ion implanter comprises a beam profiler to measure the current of the ribbon ion beam as a function of beam position. A controller uses this information to independently control the bias voltages of the two indirectly heated cathodes so as to vary the uniformity of the ribbon ion beam. In certain embodiments, the current passing through each filament may also be independently controlled by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Jun Lu, Frank Sinclair, Eric D. Hermanson, Joseph E. Pierro, Michael D. Johnson, Michael S. DeLucia, Antonella Cucchetti
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Patent number: 11101183Abstract: Disclosed are methods of forming a CMOS device. One non-limiting method may include providing a gate structure atop a substrate, and forming a first spacer over the gate structure. The method may include removing the first spacer from just an upper portion of the gate structure by performing an angled reactive ion etch or angled implantation disposed at a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of the substrate. The method may further include forming a second spacer over the upper portion of the gate structure and the first spacer along a lower portion of the gate structure. A thickness of the first spacer and the second spacer along the lower portion of the gate structure may be greater than a thickness of the second spacer along the upper portion of the gate structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Min Gyu Sung, Sony Varghese
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Patent number: 11069511Abstract: A system having an auxiliary plasma source, disposed proximate the workpiece, for use with an ion beam is disclosed. The auxiliary plasma source is used to create ions and radicals which drift toward the workpiece and may form a film. The ion beam is then used to provide energy so that the ions and radicals can process the workpiece. Further, various applications of the system are also disclosed. For example, the system can be used for various processes including deposition, implantation, etching, pre-treatment and post-treatment. By locating an auxiliary plasma source close to the workpiece, processes that were previously not possible may be performed. Further, two dissimilar processes, such as cleaning and implanting or implanting and passivating can be performed without removing the workpiece from the end station.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Hatem, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher A. Rowland, Joseph C. Olson, Anthony Renau
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Patent number: 11053580Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate, where the substrate has a patterned substrate surface, wherein the patterned substrate surface comprises a first surface region and a second surface region. The method may also include directing a depositing species to the patterned substrate surface; and directing angled ions to the patterned substrate surface, wherein the depositing species forms a deposit on the first surface region and does not form a deposit on the second surface region.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Anglin, Maureen Petterson
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Patent number: 11049691Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a ribbon ion beam in a beam line implantation system is disclosed. The system includes a mass resolving apparatus having a resolving aperture, in which the resolving aperture may be moved in the X and Z directions. Additionally, a controller is able to manipulate the mass analyzer and quadrupole lenses so that the crossover point of desired ions can also be moved in the X and Z directions. By manipulating the crossover point and the resolving aperture, the parameters of the ribbon ion beam may be manipulated to achieve a desired result. Movement of the crossover point in the X direction may affect the mean horizontal angle of the beamlets, while movement of the crossover point in the Z direction may affect the horizontal angular spread and beam current.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Robert C. Lindberg, Eric D. Hermanson, Frank Sinclair, Antonella Cucchetti, Randy Martin, Michael D. Johnson, Ana Samolov, Svetlana B. Radovanov
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Patent number: 11043380Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate. The method may include providing a surface feature on the substrate, the surface feature having a first dimension along a first direction within a substrate plane, and a second dimension along a second direction within the substrate plane, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and directing first ions in a first exposure to the surface feature along the first direction at a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to the substrate plane, in a presence of a reactive ambient containing a reactive species; wherein the first exposure etches the surface feature along the first direction, wherein after the directing, the surface feature retains the second dimension along the second direction, and wherein the surface feature has a third dimension along the first direction different than the first dimension.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Simon Ruffell, John Hautala, Adam Brand, Huixiong Dai
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Patent number: 11037758Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for in-situ plasma cleaning of ion beam optics. In one approach, a system includes a component (e.g., a beam-line component) of an ion implanter processing chamber. The system further includes a power supply for supplying a first voltage and first current to the component during a processing mode and a second voltage and second current to the component during a cleaning mode. The second voltage and current are applied to one or more conductive beam optics of the component, individually, to selectively generate plasma around one or more of the one or more conductive beam optics. The system may further include a flow controller for adjusting an injection rate of an etchant gas supplied to the beam-line component, and a vacuum pump for adjusting pressure of an environment of the beam-line component.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Anglin, William Davis Lee, Peter Kurunczi, Ryan Downey, Jay T. Scheuer, Alexandre Likhanskii, William M. Holber
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Patent number: 11031247Abstract: In one embodiment, a processing apparatus may include a plasma chamber configured to generate a plasma; a process chamber adjacent the plasma chamber and configured to house a substrate that defines a substrate plane; an extraction system adjacent the plasma chamber and configured to direct an ion beam from the plasma to the substrate, the ion beam forming a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to the substrate plane; and a molecular chamber adjacent the process chamber, isolated from the plasma chamber and configured to deliver a molecular beam to the substrate, wherein the ion beam and molecular beam are alternately delivered to the substrate to form a monolayer comprising species from the ion beam and molecular beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventor: Thomas R. Omstead
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Patent number: 11031774Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter element, comprising: a plurality of tapes, arranged in electrical parallel fashion among one another, wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a superconductor tape, and wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a non-superconductor tape.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Nickerson, Paul Murphy, Saeed Jazebi
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Publication number: 20210166936Abstract: A method of patterning a substrate. The method may include providing a surface feature on the substrate, the surface feature having a first dimension along a first direction within a substrate plane, and a second dimension along a second direction within the substrate plane, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; and directing first ions in a first exposure to the surface feature along the first direction at a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to the substrate plane, in a presence of a reactive ambient containing a reactive species; wherein the first exposure etches the surface feature along the first direction, wherein after the directing, the surface feature retains the second dimension along the second direction, and wherein the surface feature has a third dimension along the first direction different than the first dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Simon Ruffell, John Hautala, Adam Brand, Huixiong Dai
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Patent number: 11016228Abstract: Embodiments herein provide systems and methods for forming an optical component. A method may include providing a plurality of proximity masks between a plasma source and a workpiece, the workpiece including a plurality of substrates secured thereto. Each of the plurality of substrates may include first and second target areas. The method may further include delivering, from the plasma source, an angled ion beam towards the workpiece, wherein the angled ion beam is then received at one of the plurality of masks. A first proximity mask may include a first set of openings permitting the angled ion beam to pass therethrough to just the first target area of each of the plurality of substrates. A second proximity mask may include a second set of openings permitting the angled ion beam to pass therethrough just to the second target area of each of the plurality of substrates.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Morgan Evans, Rutger Meyer Timmerman Thijssen, Joseph Olson, Peter Kurunczi, Robert Masci