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).

  • Patent number: 11927482
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin Pong Lo, Lara Hawrylchak, Malcolm J. Bevan, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Wei Liu, Bernard L. Hwang
  • Publication number: 20230057432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventor: Bernard L. HWANG
  • Patent number: 11581408
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11521830
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Bernard L. Hwang
  • Publication number: 20220301920
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Vladimir NAGORNY, Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Jacob ABRAHAM, Swayambhu Prasad BEHERA
  • Patent number: 11380575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20220178747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Wei LIU, Bernard L. HWANG
  • Publication number: 20220028656
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Kin Pong LO, Vladimir NAGORNY, Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Jacob ABRAHAM, Swayambhu Prasad BEHERA
  • Publication number: 20220013336
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jian WU, Lara A. HAWRYLCHAK, Ren-Guan DUAN, Bernard L. HWANG, Malcolm J. BEVAN, Wei LIU
  • Publication number: 20210272774
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Bernard L. HWANG
  • Publication number: 20210202702
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Canfeng LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey A. TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm J. BEVAN
  • Patent number: 11017984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard L. Hwang
  • Patent number: 10971357
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10950698
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Canfeng Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher S. Olsen, Malcolm Bevan
  • Publication number: 20200111659
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10290504
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190088485
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Ken Kaung LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm BEVAN
  • Patent number: 10049881
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Ken Kaung Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher Olsen, Malcolm J. Bevan
  • Publication number: 20180082847
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Wei LIU, Theresa Kramer GUARINI, Huy Q. NGUYEN, Malcolm BEVAN, Houda GRAOUI, Philip A. BOTTINI, Bernard L. HWANG, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Rene GEORGE
  • Patent number: 9831091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: 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