Patents Examined by Keath Chen
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Patent number: 8308896Abstract: A method of cleaning a bevel edge of a substrate in an etch processing chamber is provided. The method includes placing a substrate on a substrate support in a processing chamber. The method also includes flowing a cleaning gas through a gas feed located near a center of a gas distribution plate, disposed at a distance from the substrate support. The method further includes generating a cleaning plasma near a bevel edge of the substrate to clean the bevel edge by powering a bottom edge electrode or a top edge electrode with a RF power source and grounding the edge electrode that is not powered by the RF power source, the bottom edge electrode surrounds the substrate support and the top edge electrode surrounds the gas distribution plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Yunsang Kim, Andrew D. Bailey, III
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Patent number: 8298370Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with a showerhead through which a source material gas is injected over a substrate to deposit a film on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Piezonics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chul Soo Byun
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Patent number: 8293017Abstract: An apparatus includes a workpiece support, a source for emitting a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support, and plume influencing structure between the source and the workpiece support. The plume influencing structure includes a shield with plural openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to a general direction of flow of the plume away from the source. According to a different aspect, a method includes emitting from a source a plume of coating material that flows toward a workpiece support, and adjusting the flow of the plume with a shield between the source and the workpiece support, the shield having plural openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to a general direction of flow of the plume.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Raytheon Canada LimitedInventors: Daniel B. Mitchell, Geoffrey G. Harris, Douglas J. Brown
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Patent number: 8286582Abstract: A method for depositing a first material on a substrate includes providing the substrate in a deposition chamber. A molten body is formed between the substrate and a source of the first material by melting one or more second materials. A flow of the first material is passed through the molten body and from the molten body to the substrate as a vapor flow. An essentially non-expending portion of the molten body comprises an alloy having a melting temperature below a melting temperature of the first material.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Igor V. Belousov, Igor S. Malashenko, Gregory A. Serhiyenko, Anatoli N. Shelkovoy, Evgeniy A. Shelkovoy, legal representative, Robert L. Memmen, David A. Rutz, Monika D. Kinstler
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Patent number: 8282770Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of preventing the abnormal discharge from being generated on a substrate. A housing chamber houses the substrate. A mounting stage arranged in the housing chamber, is configured to enable the substrate to be mounted thereon. A disc-like electrode structure is connected to a high-frequency power supply, and connected to a gas supply apparatus via at least one gas supply system. The electrode structure has therein at least one buffer chamber and a plurality of connecting sections connected to the gas supply system. The buffer chamber is communicated with the inside of the housing chamber via a number of gas holes, and is communicated with the gas supply system via the plurality of connecting sections. The plurality of connecting sections for the buffer chamber are arranged on the circumference of a circle centering around the center of the electrode structure at equal intervals.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Tatsuya Handa
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Patent number: 8282987Abstract: Aluminum-plated components of semiconductor material processing apparatuses are disclosed. The components include a substrate and an optional intermediate layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate. The intermediate layer includes at least one surface. An aluminum plating is formed on the substrate, or on the optional intermediate layer. The surface on which the aluminum plating is formed is electrically-conductive. An anodized layer can optionally be formed on the aluminum plating. The aluminum plating or optional the anodized layer comprises a process-exposed surface of the component. Semiconductor material processing apparatuses including one or more aluminum-plated components, methods of processing substrates, and methods of making the aluminum-plated components are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Ian J. Kenworthy, Kelly W. Fong, Leonard J. Sharpless
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Patent number: 8282768Abstract: An apparatus for purging a space in a processing chamber comprises a source of a purge gas; an inlet portion of a purge ring; an inlet baffle located in the inlet portion and fluidically connected to the source of purge gas; and an exhaust portion of the purge ring. The inlet portion and the exhaust portion define a ring hole space having a 360° periphery. The inlet baffle preferably surrounds not less than 180° of said periphery. The inlet baffle is operable to convey purge gas into the ring hole space. The exhaust portion is operable to convey purge gas and other matter out of the ring hole space. Cleaning of the purge ring and other structures in a processing chamber is conducted by flowing a cleaning gas through the inlet baffle. Methods and systems using a purge ring are particularly useful for purging and cleaning porogens from a UV curing chamber. Some embodiments include a gas inlet plenum and an exhaust channel but not a purge ring.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Smargiassi, Stephen Yu-Hong Lau, George D. Kamian, Ming Xi
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Patent number: 8281740Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus capable of suppressing mutual contamination and/or damage of the insides of ion beam generators arranged opposite each other via a substrate, and a magnetic recording medium manufacturing method. A substrate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first ion beam generator that applies an ion beam to one surface to be processed of a substrate W, and a second ion beam generator that applies an ion beam to another surface to be processed, which are arranged opposite each other via the substrate W, and an area of a first grid in the first ion beam generator, and an area of a second grid in the second ion beam generator, each area corresponding to an opening of the substrate W, are occluded.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Canon Anelva CorporationInventors: Kazuto Yamanaka, Masahiro Shibamoto, Ayumu Miyoshi, Satoshi Hitomi, David Djulianto Djayaprawira
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Patent number: 8276540Abstract: A method and system for introducing a process fluid through a chamber component in a processing system is described. The chamber component comprises a chamber element having a first surface on a supply side of the chamber element and a second surface on a process side of the chamber element, wherein the process side is opposite the supply side. Furthermore, the chamber component comprises a conduit extending through the chamber element from the supply side to the process side, wherein the conduit comprises an inlet configured to receive a process fluid and an outlet configured to distribute the process fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Lee Chen, Merritt Funk
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Patent number: 8273180Abstract: An exemplary device for film coating, is provided. The device has an evaporating unit, wherein the evaporating unit includes a driving member and a carrier. The driving member has an extending rotatable shaft. The carrier includes a main body, a plurality of branches and a plurality of crucibles. The branches each extend from the main body. The crucibles each are supported by a respective one of the branches and configured for receiving a film material therein. The rotatable shaft is engaged in the main body and thereby rotating the carrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
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Patent number: 8268116Abstract: Apparatus and methods protect a central process exclusion region of a substrate during processing of an edge environ region of process performance. Removal of undesired materials is only from the edge environ region while the central device region is protected from damage. Field strengths are configured to protect the central region from charged particles from plasma in a process chamber and to foster removal of the undesired materials from only the edge environ region. A magnetic field is configured with a peak value adjacent to a border between the central and edge environ regions. A strong field gradient extends from the peak radially away from the border and away from the central region to repel the charged particles from the central region. The strength and location of the field are adjustable by axial relative movement of magnet sections, and flux plates are configured to redirect the field for desired protection.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Andrew D. Bailey, III, Yunsang Kim
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Patent number: 8268117Abstract: A silicon-based showerhead electrode is provided that can include a backside, a frontside, and a plurality of showerhead passages extending from the backside of the silicon-based showerhead electrode to the frontside of the silicon-based showerhead electrode. The silicon-based showerhead electrode can comprise single crystal silicon. The silicon-based showerhead electrode may further include a plurality of partial recesses formed within the single crystal silicon along the backside of the silicon-based showerhead electrode. The plurality of partial recesses can leave a thickness of single crystal silicon between each of the partial recesses and the frontside of the silicon-based showerhead electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Greg Bettencourt, Raj Dhindsa, George Diercks, Randall A. Hardin, Jon Keihl, Duane Lytle, Alexei Marakhtanov, Roger Patrick, John Pegg, Shannon Spencer
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Patent number: 8252117Abstract: A feed system and related process are configured to continuously feed measured doses of source material to a vapor deposition apparatus wherein the source material is sublimated and deposited as a thin film on a substrate. The system includes a bulk material hopper, and an upper dose cup disposed to receive source material from the hopper. A lower dose cup is disposed in a vacuum lock chamber to receive a measured dose of source material from the upper dose cup. A transfer mechanism is disposed below the vacuum lock chamber to receive the measured dose of source material from the lower dose cup and to transfer the source material to a downstream deposition head while isolating the deposition conditions and sublimated source material within the deposition head.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: PrimeStar Solar, Inc.Inventors: Edwin Jackson Little, Max William Reed, Christopher Rathweg, Mark Jeffrey Pavol
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Patent number: 8252140Abstract: The embodiments provide structures and mechanisms for removal of etch byproducts, dielectric films and metal films on and near the substrate bevel edge, and chamber interior to avoid the accumulation of polymer byproduct and deposited films and to improve process yield. In one example, a chamber for wafer bevel edge cleaning is provided. The chamber includes a bottom electrode having a bottom electrode surface for supporting the wafer when present. Also included is a top edge electrode surrounding an insulating plate. The insulator plate is opposing the bottom electrode. The top edge electrode is electrically grounded and has a down-facing L shape. Further included in the chamber is a bottom edge electrode that is electrically grounded and spaced apart from the bottom electrode. The bottom edge electrode is disposed to encircle the bottom electrode. The bottom edge electrode is oriented to oppose the down-facing L shape of the top edge electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Gregory S. Sexton, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Andras Kuthi
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Patent number: 8246748Abstract: A workpiece support member can rotate about an axis relative to a source, and the source can emit a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support member approximately parallel to the axis. A plume-influencing shield can rotate with the workpiece support member, and has a plurality of openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to the general direction of flow of the plume. According to a different aspect, a method involves: rotating a workpiece support member about an axis relative to a source; emitting from the source a plume of coating material that flows toward the workpiece support member approximately parallel to the axis; and influencing the plume with structure that includes a shield rotating with the workpiece support member, the shield having a plurality of openings extending therethrough approximately parallel to the general direction of flow of the plume.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Raytheon Canada LimitedInventors: Daniel B. Mitchell, Douglas J. Brown, Geoffrey G. Harris
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Patent number: 8240271Abstract: To provide a substrate processing apparatus capable of easily installing a plasma discharge electrode having flexibility at a prescribed position in an electrode protective tube, and is capable of holing the plasma discharge electrode having flexibility at the prescribed position. This apparatus includes: a processing chamber that houses a plurality of substrates, with a space provided from each other in a state of being stacked; a gas supply unit that supplies a desired gas into the processing chamber; an exhaust unit that exhausts an atmosphere in the processing chamber; electrodes having flexibility that extend in a stacking direction of the substrates; a protective tube that contains each electrode; a first fitting member fixed to the tip end of each electrode; and a second fitting member disposed in a tip end part of each protective tube, the electrode being contained in the protective tube, with the first fitting member and the second fitting member connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.Inventor: Atsuhiko Suda
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Patent number: 8236108Abstract: An inertial masking assembly that allows multiple thin film structures to be deposited on a single substrate by rotation of a shadow mask relative to the substrate. The assembly rotates the position of the shadow mask by the conservation of momentum. The substrate is seated on means for rotating the substrate in a confined orbit within the mask. Abruptly changing the angular velocity of the mask causes the mask to rotate under the substrate, which is mediated by a combination of friction and the substrate's inertia.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: University of South FloridaInventor: Casey W. Miller
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Patent number: 8235002Abstract: A plasma assisted apparatus for organic film deposition, comprising: a plasma chamber, capable of thermally cracking a precursor in the plasma chamber; and a deposition chamber, being channeled with the plasma chamber for receiving the thermally cracked precursor. In an exemplary embodiment, the deposition chamber further comprises a substrate device, being provided for the thermally cracked precursor to deposit thereon to form an organic film. As the plasma chamber is separated from the deposition chamber in the aforesaid apparatus, a low-temperature film deposition process can be used for forming organic films while preventing the substrate device from being bombarded directly by plasma. In addition, as there is a flow guiding device arranged at the outlet of the plasma chamber, the thermally cracked precursor is guided or disturbed and thus is prevented from overly concentrating at the outlet or the center of the substrate device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Guo-Shing Huang, Tung-Ying Lin, Chun-Hao Chang, Herrison Wang, Teng-Yen Wabg
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Patent number: 8221582Abstract: An electrode assembly for a plasma reaction chamber used in semiconductor substrate processing. The assembly includes an upper showerhead electrode which is mechanically attached to a backing plate by a series of spaced apart cam locks. A guard ring surrounds the backing plate and is movable to positions at which openings in the guard ring align with openings in the backing plate so that the cam locks can be rotated with a tool to release locking pins extending from the upper face of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Roger Patrick, Gregory R. Bettencourt, Michael C. Kellogg
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Patent number: 8216418Abstract: The present invention relates generally to plasma processing and, more particularly, to plasma processing chambers and electrode assemblies used therein. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode assembly is provided comprising a thermal control plate, a silicon-based showerhead electrode, a thermally conductive gasket, and a plurality of o-rings, wherein respective profiles of a frontside of the thermal control plate and a backside of the showerhead electrode cooperate to define a thermal interface. The thermally conductive gasket and the o-rings are positioned along this thermal interface with the o-rings separating the thermally conductive gasket from the showerhead passages such that the gasket is isolated from the showerhead passages. The gasket may facilitate heat transfer across the thermal interface from the showerhead electrode to the thermal control plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Roger Patrick, Raj Dhindsa, Greg Bettencourt, Alexei Marakhtanov