Patents Examined by Satish Chandra
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Patent number: 8092598Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thin film deposition apparatus having a reaction chamber for forming a thin film on a plurality of substrates rested on a susceptor. The apparatus comprises: a gas supply means for supplying a plurality of gases to the inside of the reaction chamber from the outside, the gases including a reaction gas; a gas distribution means for distributing and spraying the gases supplied from the gas supply means so as to conform to the purpose of a process; a gas retaining means having a plurality of reaction cells for partitionally accommodating and retaining the respective gases distributed from the gas distribution means; a rotation driving means for rotating the gas retaining means such that the gases retained in the respective reaction cells are exposed to the substrates in sequence; and a gas exhaust means for pumping the gases retained by the gas retaining means to the outside of the reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Fusionaid Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yong-Ku Baek, Seung-Hoon Lee
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Patent number: 8088248Abstract: A gas switching system for a gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, is provided. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the gas switching section can supply different gases to the multiple zones. The switching section can switch the flows of one or more gases, such that one gas can be supplied to the chamber while another gas can be supplied to a by-pass line, and then switch the gas flows.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventor: Dean J. Larson
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Patent number: 8088225Abstract: A substrate support system comprises a substrate holder having a plurality of passages extending between top and bottom surfaces thereof. The substrate holder supports a peripheral portion of the substrate backside so that a thin gap is formed between the substrate and the substrate holder. A hollow support member provides support to an underside of, and is configured to convey gas upward into one or more of the passages of, the substrate holder. The upwardly conveyed gas flows into the gap between the substrate and the substrate holder. Depending upon the embodiment, the gas then flows either outward and upward around the substrate edge (to inhibit backside deposition of reactant gases above the substrate) or downward through passages of the substrate holder, if any, that do not lead back into the hollow support member (to inhibit autodoping by sweeping out-diffused dopant atoms away from the substrate backside).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: ASM America, Inc.Inventors: Matt G. Goodman, Jereon Stoutyesdijk, Ravinder Aggarwal, Mike Halpin, Tony Keeton, Mark Hawkins, Lee Haen, Armand Ferro, Paul Brabant, Robert Vyne, Gregory M. Bartlett, Joseph P. Italiano, Bob Haro
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Patent number: 8062425Abstract: There is provided a device or a method including a flow path switching unit which switches a first flow path for releasing the vapor deposition material evaporated from a vapor depositing source from the same into a chamber, and a second flow path for causing the vapor deposition material evaporated from the vapor depositing source to flow from the vapor depositing source through a transfer path into a recovery container. The vapor deposition system or the vapor deposition method is capable of reducing an amount of a vapor deposition material consumed without being deposited on an object not to be processed during non-vapor deposition.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiaki Yoshikawa, Naoto Fukuda
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Patent number: 8057600Abstract: The present invention presents an improved baffle plate for a plasma processing system, wherein the design and fabrication of the baffle plate advantageously provides for a uniform processing plasma in the process space with substantially minimal erosion of the baffle plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shinya Nishimoto, Kouji Mitsuhashi, Hiroyuki Nakayama
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Patent number: 8048226Abstract: A processing system for treating a substrate includes a process chamber, a substrate holder, a gas distribution system, and a flow modulation element. The process chamber has a pumping system to evacuate the process chamber. The substrate holder is coupled to the process chamber and supports the substrate. The gas distribution system is coupled to the process chamber. The gas distribution system introduces a process gas to a process space above an upper surface of the substrate. The flow modulation element is coupled to the substrate holder beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate. The flow modulation element includes one or more gas distribution openings that introduce an additive process gas beyond the peripheral edge of the substrate in a direction substantially away from the substrate. The additive process gas has a directional component substantially parallel to the upper surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Mirko Vukovic, James Grootegoed
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Patent number: 8043430Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for controlling flow conductance of plasma formed in a plasma processing apparatus that includes an upper electrode opposite a lower electrode to form a gap therebetween. The lower electrode is adapted to support a substrate and coupled to a RF power supply. Process gas injected into the gap is excited into the plasma state during operation. The apparatus includes a ground ring that concentrically surrounds the lower electrode and has a set of slots formed therein, and a mechanism for controlling gas flow through the slots.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Jerrel K. Antolik, Scott Stevenot
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Patent number: 8034176Abstract: A post-etch treatment system is described for removing photoresist and etch residue formed during an etching process. For example, the etch residue can include halogen containing material. The post-etch treatment system comprises a vacuum chamber, a remote radical generation system coupled to the vacuum chamber, a radical gas distribution system coupled to the radical generation system and configured to distribute reactive radicals above a substrate, and a high temperature pedestal coupled to the vacuum chamber and configured to support the substrate. The gas distribution system is configured to efficiently transport radicals to the substrate and distribute the radicals above the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Yuji Tsukamoto, H. Steven Tomozawa, Sam Yong Kim, Thomas Hamelin
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Patent number: 8034175Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises providing a semiconductor layer deposited on a substrate with heat treatment by using a flame of a gas burner fueled by a hydrogen-and-oxygen mixed gas as a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Sumio Utsunomiya, Mitsuru Sato
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Patent number: 8025730Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating interior surfaces of internal passages of a workpiece, such as a turbine engine component is provided. The coating apparatus comprises a vessel defining an internal space, a plate dividing the internal space into a first chamber and a second chamber, a divider supporting the plate, and the plate having at least one cut-out for receiving a portion of the workpiece having the internal passages to be coated.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Mark A. Livings, Walter E. Olson
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Patent number: 8012305Abstract: An exhaust assembly is described for use in a plasma processing system, whereby secondary plasma is formed in the exhaust assembly between the processing space and chamber exhaust ports in order to reduce plasma leakage to a vacuum pumping system, or improve the uniformity of the processing plasma, or both. The exhaust assembly includes a powered exhaust plate in combination with a ground electrode is utilized to form the secondary plasma surrounding a peripheral edge of a substrate treated in the plasma processing system.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Hiroyuki Takahashi
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Patent number: 8002895Abstract: A heat processing apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a reaction tube including a process field configured to store a plurality of target substrates stacked at intervals. A gas supply duct is integrally provided outside the wall of the reaction tube to extend vertically in a range that covers the process field. A plurality of gas delivery holes are formed in the side portion of the wall of the reaction tube, to be vertically arrayed in a range that covers the process field and communicate with the gas supply duct. A gas supply system is connected to a bottom portion of the gas supply duct to supply a process gas to the process field through the gas supply duct and the plurality of gas delivery holes.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Hisashi Inoue, Atsushi Endo
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Patent number: 7988813Abstract: A method and system for dynamically controlling a process chemistry above a substrate is described. The system for adjusting the process chemistry comprises a ring configured to surround a peripheral edge of a substrate in a vacuum processing system. The ring comprises one or more gas distribution passages formed within the ring and configured to supply an additive process gas through an upper surface of the ring to the peripheral region of the substrate, wherein the one or more gas distribution passages are configured to be coupled to one or more corresponding gas supply passages formed within the substrate holder upon which the ring rests.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Lee Chen, Radha Sundararajan, Merritt Funk
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Patent number: 7981216Abstract: A vacuum processing apparatus, including a reactor and a partitioning plate having a plurality of through-holes through which radicals are allowed to pass and separating the reactor into a plasma generating space and a substrate process space, the process, such as a film deposition process, being carried out on a substrate placed in the substrate process space by delivering a gas into the plasma generating space for generating a plasma, producing radicals with the plasma thus generated, and delivering the radicals through the plurality of through-holes on the partitioning plate into the substrate process space. The partitioning plate includes a partitioning body having a plurality of through-holes and a control plate disposed on the plasma generating space side of the partitioning body and having radical passage holes in the positions corresponding to the plurality of through-holes on the partitioning plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignees: Canon Anelva Corporation, NEC CorporationInventors: Keiji Ishibashi, Masahiko Tanaka, Akira Kumagai, Manabu Ikemoto, Katsuhisa Yuda
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Patent number: 7976671Abstract: A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece such as a mask or wafer includes a vacuum chamber having a cylindrical side wall, a ceiling overlying the side wall and a ring supported on a top edge of the side wall and supporting the ceiling, the ring comprising an external surface and an interior surface. An RF plasma source power applicator and an RF source power generator coupled to the applicator furnish plasma source power. Plural passages extend in a radial direction through the ring from the external surface to the interior surface and are spaced apart along a circumference of the ring. A process gas supply furnishes process gas. An external gas flow conduit apparatus outside of the chamber extends around a circumference of the chamber and is coupled to the process gas supply.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Madhavi R. Chandrachood, Michael N. Grimbergen, Khiem K. Nguyen, Richard Lewington, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, Sheeba J. Panayil, Ajay Kumar
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Patent number: 7976633Abstract: A film forming device includes a mask member that is made of silicon and has first openings of predetermined patterns; a magnetic member that is made of a magnetic material and has a second opening, and that is aligned with the mask member so that the first openings are arranged in the second opening in plan view of the second opening; and a substrate holding member that generates magnetic force between the magnetic member and itself in order to adhere the mask member and a substrate to each other. The mask member and the substrate are interposed between the magnetic member and the substrate holding member in this order from the magnetic member.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Shinichi Yotsuya, Shinji Kanemaru
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Patent number: 7972441Abstract: A method and apparatus for oxidizing materials used in semiconductor integrated circuits, for example, for oxidizing silicon to form a dielectric gate. An ozonator is capable of producing a stream of least 70% ozone. The ozone passes into an RTP chamber through a water-cooled injector projecting into the chamber. Other gases such as hydrogen to increase oxidation rate, diluent gas such as nitrogen or O2, enter the chamber through another inlet. The chamber is maintained at a low pressure below 20 Torr and the substrate is advantageously maintained at a temperature less than 800° C. Alternatively, the oxidation may be performed in an LPCVD chamber including a pedestal heater and a showerhead gas injector in opposition to the pedestal.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yoshitaka Yokota, Sundar Ramamurthy, Vedapuram Achutharaman, Cory Czarnik, Mehran Behdjat, Christopher Olsen
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Patent number: 7931750Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing lock, for an in vacuo chamber for deposition on a, preferably metallic, endless strip, characterized in that: the metal rollers are mounted on brackets, fixed to the covers and are immovable like the latter, the rollers of the same pair have the axes thereof arranged in the same vertical plane and are of different diameter, the position of the roller with the smaller diameter being alternated up and down on passing from a given pair to the next pair, the support cradles for the two rollers of the same pair have a lateral projection towards the center, the spacing of which with regard to the base for said rollers defines a second gap.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Arcelor FranceInventors: Stéphane Coolen, Eric Silberberg, Didier Marneffe, Bernard D'Hondt, Claudio De Felice
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Patent number: 7927423Abstract: A vapor deposition system includes a filter-diffuser device connected to a vapor inlet within a vacuum chamber for simultaneously filtering inflowing vapor to remove particulate matter while injecting vapor containing perfluordecanoic acid (PFDA) into the chamber through radially arranged porous metal filters to enable the deposition of a uniform monolayer of PFDA molecules onto the surfaces of a micromechanical device, such as a digital micromirror device.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Inventor: Kenneth A. Abbott
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Patent number: 7905959Abstract: A lid assembly for a semiconductor processing system is provided. The lid assembly generally includes a lid having first and second opposed surfaces, a plurality of controllable flow channels extending from the first and second opposed surfaces and a gas control system disposed on the first surface and operably opening and closing the channels. The gas control system includes a gas manifold disposed on the lid, at least one valve coupled to the gas manifold and adapted to control a flow through one of the flow channels, a reservoir fluidly connected to the gas manifold, and a precursor source fluidly connected to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Gwo-Chuan Tzu, Salvador P. Umotoy