Patents by Inventor BERNARD L. HWANG
BERNARD L. HWANG 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).
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Patent number: 11927482Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for calibrating an optical emission spectrometer (OES) used for processing semiconductor substrates. In embodiments herein, a light fixture is mounted to a plate within a process chamber. A light source is positioned within the light fixture such that it provides an optical path that projects directly at a window through which the OES looks into the process chamber for its reading. When the light source is on, the OES measures the optical intensity of radiation from the light source. To calibrate the OES, the optical intensity of the light source is compared at two separate times when the light source is on. If the optical intensity of radiation at the first time is different than the optical intensity of radiation at the second time, the OES is modified.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kin Pong Lo, Lara Hawrylchak, Malcolm J. Bevan, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Wei Liu, Bernard L. Hwang
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Publication number: 20230057432Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatuses utilized to reduce particle generation within a processing chamber. In one or more embodiments, a lid for a substrate processing chamber is provided and includes a cover member, a central opening, and a trench. An inner profile of the central opening contains a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter. The second section is disposed between and connected to the first section and the third section. The first diameter gradually increases from the second section toward the surface of the cover member, the second diameter cylindrically extends from the first section to the third section, and the third diameter is less than the second diameter. The trench surrounds the central opening and is formed along a closed path in the surface of the cover member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventor: Bernard L. HWANG
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Patent number: 11581408Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Scott Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Canfeng Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey A. Tobin, Christopher S. Olsen, Malcolm J. Bevan
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Patent number: 11521830Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include methods and apparatuses utilized to reduce particle generation within a processing chamber. In one implementation, a lid for a substrate processing chamber is provided. The lid includes a cover member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a central opening through the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening includes a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is between the first diameter and the third diameter, and the first diameter increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member, and a trench formed along a closed path in the first surface and having a recess formed in an inner surface of the trench.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventor: Bernard L. Hwang
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Publication number: 20220301920Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and to apparatus for use within a substrate processing chamber to improve film thickness uniformity. More specifically, the embodiments of the disclosure relate to an edge ring. The edge ring may include an overhang ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Vladimir NAGORNY, Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Jacob ABRAHAM, Swayambhu Prasad BEHERA
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Patent number: 11380575Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and to apparatus for use within a substrate processing chamber to improve film thickness uniformity. More specifically, the embodiments of the disclosure relate to an edge ring. The edge ring may include an overhang ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kin Pong Lo, Vladimir Nagorny, Wei Liu, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Bernard L. Hwang, Malcolm J. Bevan, Jacob Abraham, Swayambhu Prasad Behera
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Publication number: 20220178747Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for calibrating an optical emission spectrometer (OES) used for processing semiconductor substrates. In embodiments herein, a light fixture is mounted to a plate within a process chamber. A light source is positioned within the light fixture such that it provides an optical path that projects directly at a window through which the OES looks into the process chamber for its reading. When the light source is on, the OES measures the optical intensity of radiation from the light source. To calibrate the OES, the optical intensity of the light source is compared at two separate times when the light source is on. If the optical intensity of radiation at the first time is different than the optical intensity of radiation at the second time, the OES is modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Wei LIU, Bernard L. HWANG
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Publication number: 20220028656Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the fabrication of integrated circuits and to apparatus for use within a substrate processing chamber to improve film thickness uniformity. More specifically, the embodiments of the disclosure relate to an edge ring. The edge ring may include an overhang ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Vladimir NAGORNY, Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Jacob ABRAHAM, Swayambhu Prasad BEHERA
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Publication number: 20220013336Abstract: A method and apparatus for the use of hydrogen plasma treatments is described herein. The process chamber includes a plurality of chamber components. The plurality of chamber components may be coated with a yttrium zirconium oxide composition, such as a Y2O3—ZrO2 solid solution. Some of the plurality of chamber components are replaced with a bulk yttrium zirconium oxide ceramic. Yet other chamber components are replaced with similar components of different materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Jian WU, Lara A. HAWRYLCHAK, Ren-Guan DUAN, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Wei LIU
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Publication number: 20210272774Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include methods and apparatuses utilized to reduce particle generation within a processing chamber. In one implementation, a lid for a substrate processing chamber is provided. The lid includes a cover member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a central opening through the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening includes a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is between the first diameter and the third diameter, and the first diameter increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member, and a trench formed along a closed path in the first surface and having a recess formed in an inner surface of the trench.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventor: Bernard L. HWANG
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Publication number: 20210202702Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Canfeng LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey A. TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm J. BEVAN
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Patent number: 11017984Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include methods and apparatuses utilized to reduce particle generation within a processing chamber. In one implementation, a lid for a substrate processing chamber is provided. The lid includes a cover member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a central opening through the cover member, wherein an inner profile of the central opening includes a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter, wherein the second diameter is between the first diameter and the third diameter, and the first diameter increases from the second section toward the first surface of the cover member, and a trench formed along a closed path in the first surface and having a recess formed in an inner surface of the trench.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Bernard L. Hwang
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Patent number: 10971357Abstract: A method of modifying a layer in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes depositing a low quality film on a semiconductor substrate, and exposing a surface of the low quality film to a first process gas comprising helium while the substrate is heated to a first temperature, and exposing a surface of the low quality film to a second process gas comprising oxygen gas while the substrate is heated to a second temperature that is different than the first temperature. The electrical properties of the film are improved by undergoing the aforementioned processes.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Wei Liu, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Linlin Wang, Malcolm Bevan, Johanes S. Swenberg, Vladimir Nagorny, Bernard L. Hwang, Kin Pong Lo, Lara Hawrylchak, Rene George
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Patent number: 10950698Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Scott Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Canfeng Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher S. Olsen, Malcolm Bevan
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Publication number: 20200111659Abstract: A method of modifying a layer in a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes depositing a low quality film on a semiconductor substrate, and exposing a surface of the low quality film to a first process gas comprising helium while the substrate is heated to a first temperature, and exposing a surface of the low quality film to a second process gas comprising oxygen gas while the substrate is heated to a second temperature that is different than the first temperature. The electrical properties of the film are improved by undergoing the aforementioned processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Linlin WANG, Malcolm BEVAN, Johanes S. SWENBERG, Vladimir NAGORNY, Bernard L. HWANG, Kin Pong LO, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Rene GEORGE
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Patent number: 10290504Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for plasma treating a process chamber. A substrate having a gate stack formed thereon may be placed in a process chamber, and hydrogen containing plasma may be used to treat the gate stack in order to cure the defects in the gate stack. As the result of hydrogen containing plasma treatment, the gate stack has lower leakage and improved reliability. To protect the process chamber from Hx+ ions and H* radicals generated by the hydrogen containing plasma, the process chamber may be treated with a plasma without the substrate placed therein and prior to the hydrogen containing plasma treatment. In addition, components of the process chamber that are made of a dielectric material may be coated with a ceramic coating including an yttrium containing oxide in order to protect the components from the plasma.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Wei Liu, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Huy Q. Nguyen, Malcolm Bevan, Houda Graoui, Philip A. Bottini, Bernard L. Hwang, Lara Hawrylchak, Rene George
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Publication number: 20190088485Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Ken Kaung LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm BEVAN
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Patent number: 10049881Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a remote plasma system includes a remote plasma chamber defining a first region for generating a plasma comprising ions and radicals, a process chamber defining a second region for processing a semiconductor device, the process chamber comprising an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the second region, and a delivery member disposed between the remote plasma chamber and the process chamber and having a passageway in fluid communication with the first region and the inlet port, wherein the delivery member is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the passageway intersects at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Matthew S. Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Ken Kaung Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher Olsen, Malcolm J. Bevan
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Publication number: 20180082847Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for plasma treating a process chamber. A substrate having a gate stack formed thereon may be placed in a process chamber, and hydrogen containing plasma may be used to treat the gate stack in order to cure the defects in the gate stack. As the result of hydrogen containing plasma treatment, the gate stack has lower leakage and improved reliability. To protect the process chamber from Hx+ ions and H* radicals generated by the hydrogen containing plasma, the process chamber may be treated with a plasma without the substrate placed therein and prior to the hydrogen containing plasma treatment. In addition, components of the process chamber that are made of a dielectric material may be coated with a ceramic coating including an yttrium containing oxide in order to protect the components from the plasma.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Huy Q. NGUYEN, Malcolm BEVAN, Houda GRAOUI, Philip A. BOTTINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Rene GEORGE
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Patent number: 9831091Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for plasma treating a process chamber. A substrate having a gate stack formed thereon may be placed in a process chamber, and hydrogen containing plasma may be used to treat the gate stack in order to cure the defects in the gate stack. As the result of hydrogen containing plasma treatment, the gate stack has lower leakage and improved reliability. To protect the process chamber from Hx+ ions and H* radicals generated by the hydrogen containing plasma, the process chamber may be treated with a plasma without the substrate placed therein and prior to the hydrogen containing plasma treatment. In addition, components of the process chamber that are made of a dielectric material may be coated with a ceramic coating including an yttrium containing oxide in order to protect the components from the plasma.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Wei Liu, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Huy Q. Nguyen, Malcolm Bevan, Houda Graoui, Philip A. Bottini, Bernard L. Hwang, Lara Hawrylchak, Rene George