Patents Examined by Tiffany Nuckols
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Patent number: 8216374Abstract: A gas coupler is capable of conducting gas between a gas component, gas source and substrate processing chamber. The gas coupler comprises a metal block comprising a gas component seating surface having a plurality of gas component coupling ports. The block also has a plurality of sidewalls at right angles to the gas component seating surface, each sidewall comprising a counterbored gas orifice. A plurality of right-angled internal passageways are each connected to a gas component coupling port. Each internal passageway terminates at counterbored gas orifice on a different sidewall surface so that each gas component coupling port is fluidly connected to a different sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Joel Huston, Jeffery Tobin, Christophe Marcadal
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Patent number: 8157953Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus including a vacuum-evacuable processing chamber, a first lower electrode for supporting a substrate to be processed thereon is disposed in the processing chamber and an upper electrode is disposed above the first lower electrode to face the first lower electrode. Further, a second lower electrode is disposed under the first lower electrode while being electrically isolated from the first lower electrode. A processing gas supply unit supplies a processing gas into a space between the upper electrode and the first lower electrode. A first high frequency power supply unit applies a first high frequency power of a first frequency to the first lower electrode, and a second high frequency power supply unit applies a second high frequency power of a second frequency higher than the first frequency to the second lower electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Yohei Yamazawa
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Patent number: 8141514Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus having a substrate processing chamber, which enables leakage of plasma into an exhaust space to be prevented. The substrate processing chamber has therein a processing space in which plasma processing is carried out on a substrate, an exhaust space for exhausting gas out of the processing space, and an exhaust flow path that communicates the exhaust space and the processing space together. The plasma processing apparatus further has a grounding component that is electrically grounded and is disposed in the exhaust flow path. The grounding component has a conducting portion made of a conductive material, and the conducting portion has an exposed area exposed to the exhaust flow path in a range of 100 to 1000 cm2.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Masanobu Honda, Naoki Matsumoto, Satoshi Tanaka, Yutaka Matsui
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Patent number: 8137501Abstract: An apparatus for removing material on a bevel of a wafer is provided. A wafer support with a diameter that is less than the diameter of the wafer, wherein the wafer support is on a first side of the wafer, and wherein an outer edge of the wafer extends beyond the wafer support around the wafer is provided. An RF power source is electrically connected to the wafer. A central cover is spaced apart from the wafer support. A first electrically conductive ring is on the first side of and spaced apart from the wafer. A second electrically conductive ring is spaced apart from the wafer. An electrically conductive liner surrounds the outer edge of the wafer. A switch is between the liner and ground, allowing the liner to be switched from being grounded to floating.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Yunsang Kim, Andrew Bailey, III, Greg Sexton, Keechan Kim, Andras Kuthi
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Patent number: 8118940Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a semiconductor substrate includes: a C-shaped pickup plate; a susceptor top plate having a periphery adapted to receive and support an inner periphery portion of the C-shaped pickup plate thereon; and a clamp comprising (i) a top ring portion for clamping the substrate by sandwiching a periphery of the substrate between the top ring portion and the susceptor top plate and (ii) a pickup plate supporting portion adapted to support an outer periphery portion of the C-shaped pickup plate, wherein the C-shaped pickup plate is movable between the top ring portion and the pickup plate supporting portion, and the clamp is movable upward together with the C-shaped pickup plate and the susceptor top plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.Inventors: Akira Shimizu, Akira Watanabe
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Patent number: 8104428Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus that enables formation of a deposit film on a surface of a grounding electrode to be prevented. A substrate processing chamber has therein a processing space in which plasma processing is carried out on a substrate, an RF electrode that applies radio frequency electrical power into the processing space, a DC electrode that applies a DC voltage into the processing space, and a grounding electrode at least part of which is exposed in the substrate processing chamber. The grounding electrode is disposed in a corner portion formed through intersection of a plurality of internal surfaces in the substrate processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Masanobu Honda, Noriaki Kodama
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Patent number: 8048227Abstract: A compensation plate used in a film coating device includes a main body defining a plurality of guiding holes, a plurality of moveable blades connected to the main body, and a plurality of connectors. Each of the plurality of moveable blades defines two through holes corresponding to one of the plurality of guiding holes. The plurality of connectors engage in the through holes and the guiding holes, fix each of the plurality of moveable blades to the main body when each of the plurality of connectors is fastened, and slide in each of the plurality of guiding holes with each of the moveable blades when each of the plurality of connectors releases.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Wei Tso, Po-Wen Chan
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Patent number: 8034177Abstract: An inner electrode for barrier film formation is an inner electrode for barrier film formation that is inserted inside a plastic container having an opening, supplies a medium gas to the inside of the plastic container, and supplies high frequency power to an outer electrode arranged outside the plastic container, thereby generating discharge plasma on the inner surface of the plastic container to form a barrier film on the inner surface of the plastic container, and that is provided with a gas supply pipe (101) having a gas flow path (101a) to supply a medium gas (G) and an insulating member (103) screwed into an end portion of the gas supply pipe (101) to be flush therewith and having a gas outlet (102) communicated with the gas flow path (101a).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Food & Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Goto, Hideo Yamakoshi, Atsushi Ueda, Kenichi Okamoto, Yuji Asahara, Minoru Danno
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Patent number: 8021487Abstract: A wafer carrier for a rotating disc CVD reactor includes a unitary plate of a ceramic such as silicon carbide defining wafer-holding features such as pockets on its upstream surface and also includes a hub removably mounted to the plate in a central region of the plate. The hub provides a secure connection to the spindle of the reactor without imposing concentrated stresses on the ceramic plate. The hub can be removed during cleaning of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.Inventors: Vadim Boguslavskiy, Alexander I. Gurary
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Patent number: 8007591Abstract: A substrate holder (20) for supporting a substrate (30). A heating component (50) is positioned adjacent to a supporting surface and between the supporting surface and a cooling component (60). A fluid gap is positioned between the cooling component and the heating component, the fluid gap configured to receive a fluid to increase thermal conduction between the cooling component and the heating component. A brazing material is disposed between the cooling component and the heating component, the brazing material disposed adjacent to the fluid gap.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Thomas Hamelin
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Patent number: 7993462Abstract: A substrate-supporting device has a top surface for placing a substrate thereon composed of a plurality of surfaces separated from each other and defined by a continuous concavity being in gas communication with at least one through-hole passing through the substrate-supporting device in its thickness direction. The continuous concavity is adapted to allow gas to flow in the continuous concavity and through the through-hole under a substrate placed on the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.Inventor: Satoshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 7988787Abstract: A workpiece support system for a vacuum coating machine includes a base table having a rotating spindle rod that extends in a vertical direction away from the base table and is capable of powered rotation. A stop post is connected to the table and extends in a vertical direction at a distance from the spindle rod. A workpiece support module is connected to the spindle rod and the stop post, and includes a rotating table with peripheral openings arranged symmetrically around its periphery, a plurality of cogs positioned in the openings, a stationary table connected to the stop post and axially supporting the rotating table, and a driver finger connected to the stationary table. At least one bearing is located around the spindle rod and rotatably isolates the rotating table from the stationary table.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Virgil R. Hester, Jeffrey P. Werner
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Patent number: 7988817Abstract: A lift pin driving device and a flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing apparatus having the device are provided. The lift pin driving device can precisely move a plurality of lift pins using one motor, thus realizing a simple lift pin driving structure and a simple motor control structure. This allows a space below a chamber body of the manufacturing apparatus to be configured in a variety of ways, thus reducing the cost of equipment and the production cost of products.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: ADP Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyoung Kyu Son
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Patent number: 7981219Abstract: A system is provided for plasma treating a plastic component having an exterior surface and an inside surface. The system comprises at least one fixture. The fixture includes a support structure, a plurality of locating features, and a plurality of holding devices which cooperate to position a portion of the exterior surface to within a specified tolerance. The system further comprises at least one APAP nozzle configured to move relative to the exterior surface along a path, wherein the APAP nozzle directs a plasma jet onto the portion producing a functionalized polymer layer covering the portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ann Straccia, Larry P. Haack, Joseph Walter Holubka, Thomas Murray
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Patent number: 7972444Abstract: A workpiece support is disclosed defining a workpiece-receiving surface. The workpiece support includes a plurality of fluid zones. A fluid, such as a gas, is fed to the fluid zones for contact with a workpiece on the workpiece support. The fluid can have selected thermoconductivity characteristics for controlling the temperature of the workpiece at particular locations. In accordance with the present disclosure, at least certain of the fluid zones are at different azimuthal positions. In this manner, the temperature of the workpiece can be adjusted not only in a radial direction but also in an angular direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Martin L. Zucker, Daniel J. Devine, Vladimir Nagorny, Jonathan Mohn
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Patent number: 7959734Abstract: A substrate mounting structure that can maintain the temperature uniformity of a substrate mounted on a mounting stage. The substrate mounting structure disposed in a pressure reduced space has a base portion, a pillar portion mounted in a standing manner on the base portion and having an internal space, and a mounting stage supported on the pillar portion and having a substrate mounted thereon. The mounting stage has a heating element that heats the mounted substrate, and a thermal breaking unit that mechanically breaks an electrical power supply line connected to the heating element depending on the temperature of the substrate. The pillar portion is comprised of a thin-walled cylinder. The thermal breaking unit is disposed on the pillar portion's internal space side in the mounting stage, and the pressure in the internal space is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Daisuke Hayashi
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Patent number: 7951261Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma etching apparatus. In the apparatus, potential difference is applied between a substrate support with a substrate seated thereon and a electrode surrounding an edge region of the substrate, and a distance between the substrate and the electrode is set to 3 mm or less so as to locally generate plasma in an area between the substrate and the electrode, thereby removing particles and a thin film in the edge region of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Jusung Engineering Co. Ltd.Inventor: Bu-Il Jeon
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Patent number: 7942971Abstract: A method of manufacturing plasma display panels using a substrate holder for deposition on a substrate of the plasma display panel. The substrate holder is configured with plural frames, and the substrate of the plasma display panel is held by its periphery with at least one of these frames. A frame holding the substrate has a protrusion extending to a non-deposition face of the substrate held in such a way as to surround the substrate. Since the protrusion acts as a blocking sheet, attachment of a deposition material passing through an opening on the substrate holder and reaching onto the non-deposition face of the substrate is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Jun Shinozaki, Michihiko Takase, Hiroyuki Furukawa
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Patent number: 7909932Abstract: A mask includes: a base plate having an opening; a chip having an aperture pattern positioned at the opening in the base plate; a plug detachably arranged to the base plate; and a joining member joining the chip and the plug.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Koeda, Shinichi Yotsuya
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Patent number: 7886688Abstract: To provide a plasma processing apparatus capable of enhancing insulation between an electrode and a casing and adjusting the temperature of the electrode from outside. An electrode 30 is provided at its discharge space forming surface with a solid dielectric 50. The electrode 30 is received in a casing 20 such that the solid dielectric 50 on the discharge space forming surface is exposed. An in-casing space 29 between the casing 20 and the electrode 30 disposed in the casing 20 is filled with substantially pure nitrogen gas. This nitrogen gas pressure is more increased than the pressure in the discharge space. Preferably, nitrogen gas is allowed to flow.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshimasa Takeuchi, Setsuo Nakajima, Naomichi Saito, Osamu Nishikawa