Patents Examined by Rudy Zervigon
  • Patent number: 11437249
    Abstract: To create constant partial pressures of the by-products and residence time of the gas molecules across the wafer, a dual showerhead reactor can be used. A dual showerhead structure can achieve spatially uniform partial pressures, residence times and temperatures for the etchant and for the by-products, thus leading to uniform etch rates across the wafer. The system can include differential pumping to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Tom E. Blomberg, Varun Sharma
  • Patent number: 11427908
    Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus to supply precursor gases to a processing tool. In various examples, the apparatus includes a point-of-use (POU) valve manifold that includes a manifold body to couple to a processing chamber of the processing tool. The manifold body has a multiple precursor-gas outlet ports surrounded by an annulus. A purge-gas outlet port of the manifold body is directed substantially toward interior walls of the annulus. For each of multiple precursor gases, the POU-valve manifold further includes: a first valve coupled to the manifold body and a divert valve coupled to the first valve. The first valve can be coupled to a precursor-gas supply and has a separate precursor-gas flow path internal to the manifold body. The divert valve diverts the precursor gas during a period when the precursor gas is not to be directed into the processing chamber by the first valve. Other examples are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Damodar Rajaram Shanbhag, Nagraj Shankar
  • Patent number: 11430640
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having an improved exhaust structure includes a reaction space formed between a processing unit and a substrate support unit, an exhaust unit surrounding the reaction space, an exhaust port with a channel inside, a partition wall with an exhaust line inside, wherein the channel of the exhaust port connects the exhaust unit and the exhaust line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: WonKi Jeong, JuIll Lee, HaSeok Jang
  • Patent number: 11427910
    Abstract: An atomic layer deposition equipment capable of reducing precursor deposition and an atomic layer deposition process method using the same are disclosed. The atomic layer deposition equipment includes a chamber, a stage, a precursor inlet, a shielding component, at least one gas inlet, and at least one pumping port, wherein the stage and the shielding component are disposed in a containing space of the chamber. The shielding component shields part of the inner surface of the chamber, and the gas inlet is fluidly connected to the containing space for introducing an inactive gas to the space between the chamber and the shielding component to prevent the precursor from entering. The pumping port pumps out the precursors that have not reacted with a substrate, thereby reducing the precursors remaining on the inner surface of the chamber, prolonging the cleaning cycle of the chamber and improving the product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SKY TECH INC.
    Inventors: Jing-Cheng Lin, Ta-Hao Kuo
  • Patent number: 11421320
    Abstract: A chemical delivery system includes a bulk container, a run/refill chamber, a first conduit and a second conduit. The bulk container stores a precursor. The run/refill chamber includes a plurality of spaced tubes having a plurality of surfaces for receiving the precursor in vapor form and storing the precursor in solid form. The first conduit connects the bulk container to the run/refill chamber for transporting the precursor from the bulk container to the run/refill chamber in vapor form. The second conduit connects the run/refill chamber to a deposition chamber for transporting the precursor from the run/refill chamber to the deposition chamber in vapor form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: David James Eldridge, David Peters, Robert Wright, Jr., Bryan C. Hendrix, Scott L. Battle, John Gregg
  • Patent number: 11420217
    Abstract: Embodiments of showerheads for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a showerhead includes a first spiral channel extending from a central region to a peripheral region of the showerhead; a second spiral channel extending from a central region to a peripheral region of the showerhead, wherein the second spiral channel is interleaved with the first spiral channel and fluidly independent from the first spiral channel; a plurality of first channels extending from the first spiral channel to a plurality of first gas distribution holes on a lower surface of the showerhead, wherein each first channel is a singular channel extending at an angle; and a plurality of second channels extending from the second spiral channel to a plurality of second gas distribution holes on the lower surface of the showerhead, wherein each second channel is a singular channel extending at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Muhannad Mustafa, Muhammad M. Rasheed
  • Patent number: 11415147
    Abstract: Pumping liners for process chambers including a first ring-shaped body and a second ring-shaped body are described. The first ring-shaped body has a first plurality of openings and the second ring-shaped body has a second plurality of openings. The first ring-shaped body and the second ring-shaped body are rotatable relative to each other around a central axis to at least partially overlap the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings to change the area of conductance through the openings. Methods of removing gases from a processing chamber are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Muhannad Mustafa, Muhammad M. Rasheed, Mario D. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11414754
    Abstract: A film forming apparatus includes: a stage on which a workpiece on which a film is to be formed is placed; a gas supply part provided so as to face the stage, including a heater provided to be controlled to a predetermined temperature, and configured to supply a carrier gas; and a vaporization part provided between the stage and the gas supply part, and configured to be heated by heat generated from the gas supply part to vaporize a film-formation material supplied in a liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hachishiro Iizuka
  • Patent number: 11408071
    Abstract: A gas supplying unit of a substrate treating apparatus is proposed. The gas supplying unit includes: a gas distribution plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and having first gas supply holes formed through the first surface and the second surface; a shower head having a third surface being in close contact with the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and having second gas supply holes formed through the third surface and the fourth surface to be connected to the first gas supply holes; and heat transfer members having first ends inserted in at least one of the gas distribution plate and the shower head and second ends being in contact with any one of the shower head and the gas distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyoung Kyu Son, Jin Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11401605
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus capable of preventing deflection of exhaust flow which may occur when an asymmetric exhaust structure is introduced includes: an exhaust unit providing an exhaust space surrounding a reaction space; an exhaust port connected to the exhaust unit; and a flow control unit disposed in the exhaust space, wherein the exhaust port is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the reaction space, and the flow control unit may include: an upper flow control plate including a plurality of first through holes; and a lower flow control plate disposed below the upper flow control plate and including a plurality of second through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: JaeMin Roh, JuIll Lee
  • Patent number: 11396703
    Abstract: Processing chambers and methods to disrupt the boundary layer are described. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support therein. The showerhead and the substrate support are spaced to have a process gap between them. In use, a boundary layer is formed adjacent to the substrate support or wafer surface. As the reaction occurs at the wafer surface, reaction products and byproduct are produced, resulting in reduced chemical utilization rate. The processing chamber and methods described disrupt the boundary layer by changing one or more process parameters (e.g., pressure, flow rate, time, process gap or temperature of fluid passing through the showerhead).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Griffin, Sanjeev Baluja, Joseph AuBuchon, Mario D. Silvetti, Hari Ponnekanti
  • Patent number: 11396702
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus having an improved film processing uniformity is provided. The substrate processing apparatus includes a partition configured to provide a gas supply channel and a gas supply unit connected to the gas supply channel. A gas flow channel communicating with the gas supply channel is formed in the gas supply unit. A first through-hole is formed to penetrate through at least a part of the partition. A second through-hole is formed to penetrate through at least a part of the gas supply unit. The first through-hole communicates with the gas flow channel via the second through-hole. The second through-hole is arranged between a center and an edge of the gas flow channel, and is arranged spaced apart from the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Kim, Yong Gyu Han, Dae Youn Kim, Hyun Soo Jang, Jeong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11396700
    Abstract: According to the technique of the disclosure, there is provided a substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate retainer; a heat insulating assembly; a process chamber; a gas supplier including openings bored toward the wafer; a gas discharger including main exhaust openings bored toward the wafer; an exhaust port; an intermediate exhaust opening provided on a side wall of the process chamber at a position facing the heat insulating assembly; and a supply chamber exhaust port provided on the side wall of the process chamber at a height corresponding to the intermediate exhaust opening. The heat insulating assembly includes a constriction at a position corresponding to the intermediate exhaust opening, wherein its outer diameter is smaller than that of a portion of the heat insulating assembly above the position and that of another portion of the heat insulating assembly below the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Kokusai Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Sadao Hisakado, Tomoshi Taniyama
  • Patent number: 11390945
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure provide improved reactor systems, assemblies, and methods for controlling a temperature within the reactor system, such as a temperature of a gas supply unit. Exemplary systems and methods employ an exhaust unit to cause movement of a fluid over a portion of the gas supply unit to better control the temperature of the gas supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: SungHoon Jun, HeeChul Jung, YonJong Jeon
  • Patent number: 11393661
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a processing tool that comprises a processing chamber, a chuck for supporting a substrate in the processing chamber, a dielectric window forming a portion of the processing chamber, and a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source comprises a plurality of high-frequency emission modules. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module comprises, an oscillator module, amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, the applicator is positioned proximate to the dielectric window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanh Nguyen, Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 11384433
    Abstract: A gas injection module includes a showerhead having first injection holes on a first region of the showerhead and second injection holes on a second region of the showerhead, the second region being outside the first region, a first distribution plate on the showerhead and having first and second upper passages respectively connected to the first and second injection holes, and a flow rate controller on the first and second upper passages of the first distribution plate. The flow rate controller reduces a difference in pressure within the first and second upper passages so that the gas may have similar flow rates within the first and second injection holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minkyu Sung, Sung-Ki Lee, Dougyong Sung, Sang-Ho Lee, Kangmin Jeon
  • Patent number: 11380557
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for gas delivery in a semiconductor processing system use a gas distribution plate that has a plurality of gas passageways where the passageways have surfaces with an average roughness of less than or equal to approximately 10 Ra. In some embodiments, the gas distribution plate has one or more internal fluid passageways that are capable of being fluidly coupled to one or more fluid sources to provide temperature control of the gas distribution plate. In some embodiments, the gas distribution plate has at least one internal cavity with at least one heatsink that may surround at least one of the plurality of gas passageways to provide, at least partial, temperature control of the gas distribution plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vincent Kirchhoff, Faruk Gungor, Felix Rabinovich, Gary Keppers
  • Patent number: 11380540
    Abstract: There is provided a technique that includes: substrate mounting plate where substrates are arranged circumferentially; rotator rotating the substrate mounting plate; gas supply structure disposed above the substrate mounting plate from center to outer periphery thereof; gas supplier including the gas supply structure and controlling supply amount of gas supplied from the gas supply structure; gas exhaust structure installed above the substrate mounting plate at downstream side of the gas supply structure in rotation direction; gas exhauster including the gas exhaust structure and controlling exhaust amount of gas exhausted from the gas exhaust structure; and gas main component amount controller including the gas supplier and the gas exhauster and controlling gas main component amount in the gas supplied from the gas supply structure to the substrates and the gas main component amount in the gas supplied to the substrates from the center to the outer periphery of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Nakagawa, Yoshiro Hirose, Naofumi Ohashi, Tadashi Takasaki
  • Patent number: 11380523
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that can etch a metal film containing a transition metal element at high speed and with high accuracy by using a complexing gas. The semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes: a vacuum container 60; a processing chamber 1 that is provided in the vacuum container, and includes a stage 4 on which a sample 3 formed with a metal film containing a transition metal element is placed; and a vaporization chamber 2 that is provided in the vacuum container, and includes a vaporizing nozzle unit 70 configured to vaporize a complexing gas raw material liquid supplied from an outside. A complexing gas obtained by vaporizing the complexing gas raw material liquid is introduced into the processing chamber to etch the metal film of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihide Yamaguchi, Sumiko Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 11371142
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus and the method of processing an exhaust gas. The substrate processing apparatus and the method of processing an exhaust gas according to the present invention, an exhaust gas decomposition module may decompose a source gas exhausted from a process chamber to decompose a ligand of the source gas. Also, the ligand and the source gas of which the ligand has been decomposed may be put in a stabilized state by reacting with separately supplied O2, N2O, or O3, and then, may be changed to a mixed gas including a reactant gas mixed therewith. Subsequently, the mixed gas may flow into the exhaust pump and may be emitted. Alternatively, the ligand and the source gas may be mixed with the reactant gas and may be emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Dong Won Seo, Heon Do Kim, Chul-Joo Hwang