Patents by Inventor Badri N. RAMAMURTHI

Badri N. RAMAMURTHI 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: 11952663
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20240047185
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a lid plate. The systems may include a gas feed line having an RPS outlet and a bypass outlet. The systems may include a remote plasma unit supported atop the lid plate. The remote plasma unit may include an inlet and an outlet. The inlet may be coupled with the RPS outlet. The systems may include a center manifold having an RPS inlet coupled with the outlet and a bypass inlet coupled with the bypass outlet. The center manifold may include a plurality of outlet ports. The systems may include a plurality of side manifolds that are fluidly coupled with the outlet ports. Each of the side manifolds may define a gas lumen. The systems may include a plurality of output manifolds seated on the lid plate. Each output manifold may be fluidly coupled with the gas lumen of one of the side manifolds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijit A. Kangude, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Arun Chakravarthy Chakravarthy, Vinay K. Prabhakar, Dharma Ratnam Srichurnam
  • Patent number: 11862475
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a remote plasma source (RPS), a faceplate, and an output manifold positioned between the RPS and the faceplate. The output manifold is characterized by a plurality of purge outlets that are fluidly coupled with a purge gas source and a plurality of deposition outlets that are fluidly coupled with a deposition gas source. A delivery tube extends between and fluidly couples the RPS and the faceplate. The delivery tube is characterized by a generally cylindrical sidewall that defines an upper plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern. Each of the upper apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the purge outlets. The generally cylindrical sidewall defines a lower plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern and below the upper plurality of apertures. Each of the lower apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the deposition outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Ruan, Diwakar Kedlaya, Amit Bansal, Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Rajaram Narayanan, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Sherry L. Mings, Job George Konnoth Joseph, Rupankar Choudhury
  • Publication number: 20230402261
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include an output manifold that defines at least one plasma outlet. The systems may include a gasbox disposed beneath the output manifold. The gasbox may include an inlet side facing the output manifold and an outlet side opposite the inlet side. The gasbox may include an inner wall that defines a central fluid lumen. The inner wall may taper outward from the inlet side to the outlet side. The systems may include an annular spacer disposed below the gasbox. An inner diameter of the annular spacer may be greater than a largest inner diameter of the central fluid lumen. The systems may include a faceplate disposed beneath the annular spacer. The faceplate may define a plurality of apertures extending through a thickness of the faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saket Rathi, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Yuxing Zhang, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Nitin Pathak, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Sarah Michelle Bobek
  • Publication number: 20230392259
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11827980
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to isolator devices, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a substrate processing chamber includes an isolator ring disposed between a pedestal and a pumping liner. The isolator ring includes a first surface that faces the pedestal, the first surface being disposed at a gap from an outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The isolator ring also includes a second surface that faces the pumping liner and a protrusion that protrudes from the first surface of the isolator ring and towards the outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The protrusion defines a necked portion of the gap between the pedestal and the isolator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Amit Kumar Bansal, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thomas Rubio, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11742185
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include an output manifold that defines at least one plasma outlet. The systems may include a gasbox disposed beneath the output manifold. The gasbox may include an inlet side facing the output manifold and an outlet side opposite the inlet side. The gasbox may include an inner wall that defines a central fluid lumen. The inner wall may taper outward from the inlet side to the outlet side. The systems may include an annular spacer disposed below the gasbox. An inner diameter of the annular spacer may be greater than a largest inner diameter of the central fluid lumen. The systems may include a faceplate disposed beneath the annular spacer. The faceplate may define a plurality of apertures extending through a thickness of the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saket Rathi, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Yuxing Zhang, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Nitin Pathak, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Sarah Michelle Bobek
  • Patent number: 11643725
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20230120710
    Abstract: Exemplary processing chambers may include a body having sidewalls and a bottom plate. The bottom plate may define an exhaust opening and a gas inlet. The chambers may include a faceplate seated atop the body. The chambers may include a purge ring seated atop the bottom plate. The purge ring may include a ring body having an outer edge and an inner edge defining an open interior. The ring body may have a surface disposed against the bottom plate. The ring body may define an opening aligned with the exhaust opening. The surface may define a fluid port aligned and coupled with the gas inlet. The surface may define arcuate grooves extending into the fluid port. The arcuate grooves may be parallel with the inner and outer edges. The surface may define radial grooves extending from the open interior to an arcuate groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zaoyuan Ge, Yin Xiong, Sungwon Ha, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Amit Bansal, Prasath Poomani, Ajit Laxman Kulkarni, Sarah Michelle Bobek, Badri N. Ramamurthi
  • Publication number: 20230047451
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to isolator devices, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a substrate processing chamber includes an isolator ring disposed between a pedestal and a pumping liner. The isolator ring includes a first surface that faces the pedestal, the first surface being disposed at a gap from an outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The isolator ring also includes a second surface that faces the pumping liner and a protrusion that protrudes from the first surface of the isolator ring and towards the outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The protrusion defines a necked portion of the gap between the pedestal and the isolator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Nitin PATHAK, Amit Kumar BANSAL, Tuan Anh NGUYEN, Thomas RUBIO, Badri N. RAMAMURTHI, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ
  • Patent number: 11532463
    Abstract: A processing chamber may include a gas distribution member, a metal ring member below the gas distribution member, and an isolating assembly coupled with the metal ring member and isolating the metal ring member from the gas distribution member. The isolating assembly may include an outer isolating member coupled with the metal ring member. The outer isolating member may at least in part define a chamber wall. The isolating assembly may further include an inner isolating member coupled with the outer isolating member. The inner isolating member may be disposed radially inward from the metal ring member about an central axis of the processing chamber. The inner isolating member may define a plurality of openings configured to provide fluid access into a radial gap between the metal ring member and the inner isolating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Vinay K. Prabhakar, Bushra Afzal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11492705
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to isolator devices, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a substrate processing chamber includes an isolator ring disposed between a pedestal and a pumping liner. The isolator ring includes a first surface that faces the pedestal, the first surface being disposed at a gap from an outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The isolator ring also includes a second surface that faces the pumping liner and a protrusion that protrudes from the first surface of the isolator ring and towards the outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The protrusion defines a necked portion of the gap between the pedestal and the isolator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Amit Kumar Bansal, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thomas Rubio, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20220310360
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include an output manifold that defines at least one plasma outlet. The systems may include a gasbox disposed beneath the output manifold. The gasbox may include an inlet side facing the output manifold and an outlet side opposite the inlet side. The gasbox may include an inner wall that defines a central fluid lumen. The inner wall may taper outward from the inlet side to the outlet side. The systems may include an annular spacer disposed below the gasbox. An inner diameter of the annular spacer may be greater than a largest inner diameter of the central fluid lumen. The systems may include a faceplate disposed beneath the annular spacer. The faceplate may define a plurality of apertures extending through a thickness of the faceplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saket Rathi, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Yuxing Zhang, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Nitin Pathak, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Sarah Michelle Bobek
  • Publication number: 20220307135
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20220307129
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cleaning assemblies, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one example, a cleaning assembly for a substrate processing chamber includes a distribution ring. The distribution ring comprises a body with an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is fluidly coupled to an internal volume of the substrate processing chamber via a sidewall of the substrate processing chamber. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning conduit configured to fluidly couple a gas manifold to the distribution ring for diverting a first portion of cleaning fluid from the gas manifold to the distribution ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Yuxing Zhang, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Amit Kumar Bansal, Nitin Pathak, Saket Rathi, Thomas Rubio, Udit S. Kotagi, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Dharma Ratnam Srichurnam
  • Publication number: 20220199373
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers include a chamber body defining a processing region. The chambers may include a substrate support disposed within the processing region. The substrate support may have an upper surface that defines a recessed substrate seat. The chambers may include a shadow ring disposed above the substrate seat and the upper surface. The shadow ring may extend about a peripheral edge of the substrate seat. The chambers may include bevel purge openings defined within the substrate support proximate the peripheral edge. A bottom surface of the shadow ring may be spaced apart from a top surface of the upper surface to form a purge gas flow path that extends from the bevel purge openings along the shadow ring. A space formed between the shadow ring and the substrate seat may define a process gas flow path. The gas flow paths may be in fluid communication with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Zubin Huang, Manjunath Veerappa Chobari Patil, Nitin Pathak, Yi Yang, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Truong Van Nguyen, Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya
  • Publication number: 20220122851
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes a remote plasma source (RPS), a faceplate, and an output manifold positioned between the RPS and the faceplate. The output manifold is characterized by a plurality of purge outlets that are fluidly coupled with a purge gas source and a plurality of deposition outlets that are fluidly coupled with a deposition gas source. A delivery tube extends between and fluidly couples the RPS and the faceplate. The delivery tube is characterized by a generally cylindrical sidewall that defines an upper plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern. Each of the upper apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the purge outlets. The generally cylindrical sidewall defines a lower plurality of apertures that are arranged in a radial pattern and below the upper plurality of apertures. Each of the lower apertures is fluidly coupled with one of the deposition outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Ruan, Diwakar Kedlaya, Amit Bansal, Venkata Sharat Chandra Parimi, Rajaram Narayanan, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Sherry L. Mings, Job George Konnoth Joseph, Rupankar Choudhury
  • Publication number: 20220064797
    Abstract: A lid for a process chamber includes a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface has a recess and a seal groove formed in the first surface and surrounding the recess. The lid further includes an array of holes extending from the recess to the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Akshay DHANAKSHIRUR, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ, Kaushik Comandoor ALAYAVALLI, Jay D. PINSON, II, Rick KUSTRA, Badri N. RAMAMURTHI, Anup Kumar SINGH, Ganesh BALASUBRAMANIAN, Bhaskar KUMAR, Vinayak Vishwanath HASSAN, Canfeng LAI, Kallol BERA, Sathya Swaroop GANTA
  • Publication number: 20220028710
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a first lid plate seated on the chamber body along a first surface of the first lid plate. The first lid plate may define a plurality of apertures through the first lid plate. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks equal to a number of apertures of the plurality of apertures defined through the first lid plate. The systems may include a plurality of isolators. An isolator of the plurality of isolators may be positioned between each lid stack of the plurality of lid stacks and a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures defined through the first lid plate. The systems may include a plurality of dielectric plates. A dielectric plate of the plurality of dielectric plates may be seated on each isolator of the plurality of isolators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anantha K. Subramani, Yang Guo, Seyyed Abdolreza Fazeli, Nitin Pathak, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Kallol Bera, Xiaopu Li, Philip A. Kraus, Swaminathan T. Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20220020615
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a plurality of processing regions. The systems may include a transfer region housing defining a transfer region fluidly coupled with the plurality of processing regions. The systems may include a plurality of substrate supports. Each substrate support of the plurality of substrate supports may be vertically translatable between the transfer region and an associated processing region of the plurality of processing regions. The systems may include a transfer apparatus including a rotatable shaft extending through the transfer region housing. The transfer apparatus may also include an end effector coupled with the rotatable shaft. The systems may include an exhaust foreline including a plurality of foreline tails. Each foreline tail of the plurality of foreline tails may be fluidly coupled with a separate processing region of the plurality of processing regions. The systems may include a plurality of throttle valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Vinay K. Prabhakar, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Viren Kalsekar, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez