Patents by Inventor Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo

Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11764041
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables adjustment of the thermal conductivity therein. The substrate support assembly has heater and cooling channel. An adjustable thermal break disposed between the heater and the cooling channel. The adjustable thermal break has one or more fluid conduits coupled thereto and configured to flow a fluid into and out of the adjustable thermal break for variant the thermal conductivity between the heater and the cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Daniel Sang Byun, Andreas Schmid, Stephen Donald Prouty, Andrew Antoine Noujaim
  • Publication number: 20230264238
    Abstract: Methods of semiconductor processing may include performing a process on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may be seated on a substrate support positioned within a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a first backside gas through the substrate support at a first flow rate. The methods may include removing the semiconductor substrate from the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include performing a plasma cleaning operation within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a second backside gas through the substrate support at a second flow rate. At least a portion of the second backside gas may flow into the processing region through accesses in the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Prouty, Martin Perez-Guzman, Sumanth Banda, Rajinder Dhindsa, Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo
  • Patent number: 11666952
    Abstract: Methods of semiconductor processing may include performing a process on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may be seated on a substrate support positioned within a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a first backside gas through the substrate support at a first flow rate. The methods may include removing the semiconductor substrate from the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include performing a plasma cleaning operation within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a second backside gas through the substrate support at a second flow rate. At least a portion of the second backside gas may flow into the processing region through accesses in the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Prouty, Martin Perez-Guzman, Sumanth Banda, Rajinder Dhindsa, Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo
  • Patent number: 11646183
    Abstract: Semiconductor chamber components are described herein that includes one or more conduits for carrying a fluid between powered and grounded portions of the chamber component, the conduit configure to be less prone to arcing as compared to conventional components. In one example, a semiconductor chamber component is provided that includes a powered region, a grounded region, and a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is disposed within the semiconductor chamber component and passes through the powered and grounded regions. The fluid conduit has an end to end electrical resistance of between 0.1 to 100 M?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Donald Prouty, Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Andreas Schmid, Andrew Antoine Noujaim
  • Publication number: 20230071505
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to substrate processing methods, such as etching methods with noble gases at low temperatures. In an aspect, the method includes exposing a substrate, a first layer comprising a gas, and a fluorine-containing layer to energy to form a passivation layer while maintaining the substrate at conditions encompassing a triple point temperature of the gas, the substrate positioned in a processing region of a processing chamber. The method further includes etching the substrate with ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Alvaro GARCIA DE GORORDO, Zhonghua YAO, Sunil SRINIVASAN, Sang Wook PARK
  • Patent number: 11515166
    Abstract: A method for etching silicon at cryogenic temperatures is provided. The method includes forming an inert layer from condensation of a noble gas at cryogenic temperatures on exposed surfaces such as the sidewalls of a feature to passivate the sidewalls prior to the etching process. The method further includes flowing a fluorine-containing precursor gas into the chamber to form a fluorine-containing layer on the inert layer. The method further includes exposing the fluorine-containing layer and the inert layer to an energy source to form a passivation layer on the exposed portions of the substrate and exposing the substrate to ions to etch the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Zhonghua Yao, Sunil Srinivasan, Sang Wook Park
  • Patent number: 11437261
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables a cryogenic temperature operation of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) so that a substrate disposed thereon is maintained at a cryogenic processing temperature suitable for processing while other surfaces of a processing chamber are maintained at a different temperature. The substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC), an ESC base assembly coupled to the ESC having a refrigerant channel disposed therein, and a facility plate having a coolant channel disposed therein. The facility plate includes a plate portion and a flange portion. The plate portion is coupled to the ESC base assembly and the flange portion coupled to the ESC with a seal assembly. A vacuum region is defined by the ESC, the ESC base assembly, the plate portion of the facility plate, the flange portion of the facility plate, and the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogananda Sarode Vishwanath, Steven E. Babayan, Stephen Donald Prouty, Álvaro García De Gorordo, Andreas Schmid, Andrew Antoine Noujaim
  • Patent number: 11373893
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables a cryogenic temperature operation of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) so that a substrate disposed thereon is maintained at a cryogenic processing temperature suitable for processing while other surfaces of a processing chamber are maintained at a different temperature. The substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC), an ESC base assembly coupled to the ESC having a base channel disposed therein, and a facility plate having a facility channel disposed therein. The facility plate includes a plate portion and a wall portion. The plate portion is coupled to the ESC base assembly and the wall portion coupled to the ESC with a seal assembly. A vacuum region is defined by the ESC, the ESC base assembly, the plate portion of the facility plate, the wall portion of the facility plate, and the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yogananda Sarode Vishwanath, Steven E. Babayan, Stephen Donald Prouty, Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Andreas Schmid, Andrew Antoine Noujaim
  • Publication number: 20210398815
    Abstract: A method for etching silicon at cryogenic temperatures is provided. The method includes forming an inert layer from condensation of a noble gas at cryogenic temperatures on exposed surfaces such as the sidewalls of a feature to passivate the sidewalls prior to the etching process. The method further includes flowing a fluorine-containing precursor gas into the chamber to form a fluorine-containing layer on the inert layer. The method further includes exposing the fluorine-containing layer and the inert layer to an energy source to form a passivation layer on the exposed portions of the substrate and exposing the substrate to ions to etch the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Alvaro GARCIA DE GORORDO, Zhonghua YAO, Sunil SRINIVASAN, Sang Wook PARK
  • Publication number: 20210375599
    Abstract: An electrical connector for a substrate support assembly is disclosed herein. The electrical connector includes a first interface body, and a second interface body coupled to the first interface body and to a third interface body. The second interface body is circumscribed by the third interface body. The first interface body and the second interface body each comprise a plurality of electrical terminals disposed in sockets formed in the respective first and second interface bodies, each electrical terminal disposed in sockets of the first interface body coupled to a respective one of the electrical terminals disposed in sockets of the second interface body to form a plurality of isolated conductive electrical unions, wherein the second interface body includes a plurality of protruding sidewalls that extend into the first interface body between each of the electrical terminals of the first interface body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM, Álvaro GARCÍA DE GORORDO, Andreas SCHMID, Stephen Donald PROUTY
  • Publication number: 20210343512
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly is described herein that includes a facility plate, a ground plate coupled to the facility plate, a fluid conduit disposed within the substrate support assembly disposed through the facility plate and the ground plate, and a connector coupled to the ground plate that houses a portion of the fluid conduit. The connector includes a biasing assembly and a fastener disposed in a pocket formed in the ground plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Vijay D. PARKHE, Andreas SCHMID, Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM, Stephen Donald PROUTY, Alvaro GARCIA DE GORORDO, Martin PEREZ-GUZMAN
  • Publication number: 20210296101
    Abstract: Semiconductor chamber components are described herein that includes one or more conduits for carrying a fluid between powered and grounded portions of the chamber component, the conduit configure to be less prone to arcing as compared to conventional components. In one example, a semiconductor chamber component is provided that includes a powered region, a grounded region, and a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is disposed within the semiconductor chamber component and passes through the powered and grounded regions. The fluid conduit has an end to end electrical resistance of between 0.1 to 100 M?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Donald PROUTY, Alvaro GARCIA DE GORORDO, Andreas SCHMID, Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM
  • Publication number: 20210276056
    Abstract: Methods of semiconductor processing may include performing a process on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate may be seated on a substrate support positioned within a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a first backside gas through the substrate support at a first flow rate. The methods may include removing the semiconductor substrate from the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include performing a plasma cleaning operation within the processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include flowing a second backside gas through the substrate support at a second flow rate. At least a portion of the second backside gas may flow into the processing region through accesses in the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Prouty, Martin Perez-Guzman, Sumanth Banda, Rajinder Dhindsa, Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo
  • Patent number: 11087989
    Abstract: A method for etching silicon at cryogenic temperatures is provided. The method includes forming an inert layer from condensation of a noble gas at cryogenic temperatures on exposed surfaces such as the sidewalls of a feature to passivate the sidewalls prior to the etching process. The method further includes flowing a fluorine-containing precursor gas into the chamber to form a fluorine-containing layer on the inert layer. The method further includes exposing the fluorine-containing layer and the inert layer to an energy source to form a passivation layer on the exposed portions of the substrate and exposing the substrate to ions to etch the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Zhonghua Yao, Sunil Srinivasan, Sang Wook Park
  • Publication number: 20210082730
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables a cryogenic temperature operation of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) so that a substrate disposed thereon is maintained at a cryogenic processing temperature suitable for processing while other surfaces of a processing chamber are maintained at a different temperature. The substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC), an ESC base assembly coupled to the ESC having a base channel disposed therein, and a facility plate having a facility channel disposed therein. The facility plate includes a plate portion and a wall portion. The plate portion is coupled to the ESC base assembly and the wall portion coupled to the ESC with a seal assembly. A vacuum region is defined by the ESC, the ESC base assembly, the plate portion of the facility plate, the wall portion of the facility plate, and the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Yogananda SARODE VISHWANATH, Steven E. BABAYAN, Stephen Donald PROUTY, Alvaro Garcia DE GORORDO, Andreas SCHMID, Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM
  • Publication number: 20200395197
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables adjustment of the thermal conductivity therein. The substrate support assembly has heater and cooling channel. An adjustable thermal break disposed between the heater and the cooling channel. The adjustable thermal break has one or more fluid conduits coupled thereto and configured to flow a fluid into and out of the adjustable thermal break for variant the thermal conductivity between the heater and the cooling channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Alvaro GARCIA DE GORORDO, Daniel Sang BYUN, Andreas SCHMID, Stephen Donald PROUTY, Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM
  • Publication number: 20200185248
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a substrate support assembly which enables a cryogenic temperature operation of an electrostatic chuck (ESC) so that a substrate disposed thereon is maintained at a cryogenic processing temperature suitable for processing while other surfaces of a processing chamber are maintained at a different temperature. The substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC), an ESC base assembly coupled to the ESC having a refrigerant channel disposed therein, and a facility plate having a coolant channel disposed therein. The facility plate includes a plate portion and a flange portion. The plate portion is coupled to the ESC base assembly and the flange portion coupled to the ESC with a seal assembly. A vacuum region is defined by the ESC, the ESC base assembly, the plate portion of the facility plate, the flange portion of the facility plate, and the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Yogananda SARODE VISHWANATH, Steven E. BABAYAN, Stephen Donald PROUTY, Álvaro GARCÍA DE GORORDO, Andreas SCHMID, Andrew Antoine NOUJAIM
  • Patent number: 10656029
    Abstract: Embodiments include processing equipment. A processing system having an optical temperature measurement subsystem is described. In an example, the optical temperature measurement subsystem includes a light source to direct an excitation light into a process chamber, and a photosensitive array to detect a response light received from the process chamber. The detected light can be monitored to determine a temperature of a substrate mounted within the process chamber. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo
  • Publication number: 20180306650
    Abstract: Embodiments include processing equipment. A processing system having an optical temperature measurement subsystem is described. In an example, the optical temperature measurement subsystem includes a light source to direct an excitation light into a process chamber, and a photosensitive array to detect a response light received from the process chamber. The detected light can be monitored to determine a temperature of a substrate mounted within the process chamber. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Alvaro Garcia de Gorordo
  • Patent number: 9257265
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-enhanced substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method is provided for processing a substrate in a process chamber having a plurality of electromagnets disposed about the process chamber to form a magnetic field within the process chamber at least at a substrate level. In some embodiments, the method includes determining a first direction of an external magnetic field present within the process chamber while providing no current to the plurality of electromagnets; providing a range of currents to the plurality of electromagnets to create a magnetic field within the process chamber having a second direction opposing the first direction; determining a desired magnitude in the second direction of the magnetic field over the range of currents; and processing a substrate in the process chamber using a plasma while statically providing the magnetic field at the desired magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alvaro Garcia De Gorordo, Waheb Bishara, Samer Banna