Patents by Inventor Andrew Cowe

Andrew Cowe 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).

  • Publication number: 20240079209
    Abstract: A plasma source is provided that is configured to form a section of a wall of a vacuum component. The plasma source comprises a body including a dielectric member, a first surface exposed to an exterior region of the vacuum component, and a second surface exposed to an interior region of the vacuum component. The plasma source also comprises at least one electrode disposed in a receiving channel of the body with at least a portion of the dielectric member located adjacent to the at least one electrode in the receiving channel. The plasma source further comprise at least one discharge region adjacent to the receiving channel within the body. The at least one discharge region is exposed to the interior region of the vacuum component via an opening on the second surface of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ron Collins, Andrew Cowe, Gordon Hill
  • Publication number: 20230296181
    Abstract: An isolation valve assembly is provided that includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a sealing body disposed within an interior cavity of the valve body, and an actuatable closure element disposed within the valve body. The sealing body comprises a channel extending between a first opening on a surface of the sealing body and a second opening on an opposite surface of the sealing body. The sealing body is rotatable between a first position permitting gas flow from the inlet to the outlet of the valve body via the channel, and a second position preventing gas flow from the inlet to the outlet of the valve body. The actuatable closure element is configured to retain the sealing body stationary in the first position or the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Cowe, Ron Collins
  • Patent number: 11664197
    Abstract: A plasma source is provided that includes a body defining an input port, an output port, and at least one discharge section extending along a central longitudinal axis between the input port and the output port. The at least one discharge section includes a return electrode defining a first generally cylindrical interior volume having a first interior diameter, a supply plate comprising a supply electrode, the supply plate defining a second generally cylindrical interior volume having a second interior diameter, and at least one spacer defining a third generally cylindrical interior volume having a third interior diameter. The third interior diameter is different from the first or second interior diameter. The at least one discharge section is formed from the spacer arranged between the return electrode and the supply plate along the central longitudinal axis to define a generally cylindrical discharge gap for generating a plasma therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Hill, Andrew Cowe, Ron Collins, Larry Bourget
  • Publication number: 20230036853
    Abstract: A plasma source is provided that includes a body defining an input port, an output port, and at least one discharge section extending along a central longitudinal axis between the input port and the output port. The at least one discharge section includes a return electrode defining a first generally cylindrical interior volume having a first interior diameter, a supply plate comprising a supply electrode, the supply plate defining a second generally cylindrical interior volume having a second interior diameter, and at least one spacer defining a third generally cylindrical interior volume having a third interior diameter. The third interior diameter is different from the first or second interior diameter. The at least one discharge section is formed from the spacer arranged between the return electrode and the supply plate along the central longitudinal axis to define a generally cylindrical discharge gap for generating a plasma therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Gordon Hill, Andrew Cowe, Ron Collins, Larry Bourget
  • Patent number: 10424460
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber, multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites and multiple plasma chamber outlets coupling the plasma chamber to a process chamber. Each one of the plasma chamber outlets having a respective plasma restriction. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 10283325
    Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Publication number: 20180228015
    Abstract: A chamber top for a processing chamber is provided. The chamber top includes a first plasma source oriented horizontally over the chamber top and a second plasma source oriented horizontally over the chamber top. The second plasma source is arranged concentrically around the first plasma source. Also included is a first plurality of ferrites encircling the first plasma source and a second plurality of ferrites encircling the second plasma source. A first primary winding is disposed around an outer circumference of the first plasma source and a second primary winding disposed around an outer circumference of the second plasma source. The first and second primary windings pass through the respective plurality of ferrites. A plurality of outlets is disposed on a lower portion of the first and second plasma sources, and the plurality of outlets is oriented between adjacent ones of the first and second plurality of ferrites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William Entley
  • Patent number: 9967965
    Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William Entley
  • Publication number: 20160358754
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber, multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites and multiple plasma chamber outlets coupling the plasma chamber to a process chamber. Each one of the plasma chamber outlets having a respective plasma restriction. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 9449793
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber, multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites and multiple plasma chamber outlets coupling the plasma chamber to a process chamber. Each one of the plasma chamber outlets having a respective plasma restriction. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 9275839
    Abstract: A plasma chamber for activating a process gas, including at least four legs forming a toroidal plasma channel, each leg having a cross-sectional area, and an outlet formed on one leg, the outlet having a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the other legs. The plasma chamber further includes an inlet for receiving the process gas and a plenum for introducing the process gas over a broad area of the leg opposing the outlet to reduce localized high plasma impedance and gas flow instability, wherein the leg opposing the outlet defines a plurality of holes for providing a helical gas rotation in the plasma channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xing Chen, Andrew Cowe
  • Patent number: 9155181
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber and multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 8999104
    Abstract: A plasma source includes multiple ring plasma chambers, multiple primary windings, multiple ferrites and a control system. Each one of the primary windings is wrapped around an exterior one of the ring plasma chambers. Each one of the plurality of the ring plasma chamber passes through a respective portion of the plurality of ferrites. The control system is coupled to each of the ring plasma chambers. A system and method for generating and using a plasma are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Publication number: 20140096908
    Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 8692466
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for igniting and/or sustaining a plasma in a reactive gas generator. Power is provided from an ignition power supply to a plasma ignition circuit. A pre-ignition signal of the plasma ignition circuit is measured. The power provided to the plasma ignition circuit is adjusted based on the measured pre-ignition signal and an adjustable pre-ignition control signal. The adjustable pre-ignition control signal is adjusted after a period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MKS Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Souheil Benzerrouk, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, Andrew Cowe, Ali Shajii, Jesse E. Ambrosina, Ken Tran, Xing Chen
  • Publication number: 20130025788
    Abstract: A processing chamber including multiple plasma sources in a process chamber top. Each one of the plasma sources is a ring plasma source including a primary winding and multiple ferrites. A plasma processing system is also described. A method of plasma processing is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William Entley
  • Publication number: 20120035766
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber, multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites and multiple plasma chamber outlets coupling the plasma chamber to a process chamber. Each one of the plasma chamber outlets having a respective plasma restriction. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Publication number: 20120034394
    Abstract: A plasma source includes a ring plasma chamber, a primary winding around an exterior of the ring plasma chamber and multiple ferrites, wherein the ring plasma chamber passes through each of the ferrites. A system and method for generating a plasma are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Publication number: 20120031876
    Abstract: A plasma source includes multiple ring plasma chambers, multiple primary windings, multiple ferrites and a control system. Each one of the primary windings is wrapped around an exterior one of the ring plasma chambers. Each one of the plurality of the ring plasma chamber passes through a respective portion of the plurality of ferrites. The control system is coupled to each of the ring plasma chambers. A system and method for generating and using a plasma are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
  • Patent number: 7914603
    Abstract: A particle trap for a remote plasma source includes a body structure having an inlet for coupling to a chamber of a remote plasma source and an outlet for coupling to a process chamber inlet. The particle trap for a remote plasma source also includes a gas channel formed in the body structure and in fluid communication with the body structure inlet and the body structure outlet. The gas channel can define a path through the body structure that causes particles in a gas passing from a first portion of the channel to strike a wall that defines a second portion of the gas channel at an angle relative to a surface of the wall. A coolant member can be in thermal communication with the gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Xing Chen, Andrew Cowe, David Burtner, William Robert Entley, ShouQian Shao