Patents by Inventor Bhaskar Kumar

Bhaskar Kumar 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: 20260093575
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining, by a processing device, defect data for a substrate processed in a substrate processing system. The method further includes obtaining, by the processing device, context data associated with the substrate. The method further includes determining a troubleshooting guide associated with the defect data. The troubleshooting guide includes a sequence of troubleshooting operations, each associated with one or more probably root causes for the defect data. The method further includes determining a subset of context data based on the troubleshooting guide. The method further includes processing the defect data and the subset of context data using one or more trained machine learning models that output a predicted corrective action associated with a troubleshooting operation in the sequence of troubleshooting operations. The method further includes initiating the corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ryan Collins, Hexuan Wang, Abhinav Kumar, Bhaskar Kumar, Qinyi Chen, Martin Jay Seamons, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Publication number: 20260030090
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining defect data and context data in association with a substrate, and providing the defect data and the context data to a first trained machine learning model as input. The method further includes obtaining output from the first trained machine learning model based on the defect data and the context data. The output is indicative of a predicted root cause in association with the defect data. The method further includes performing a corrective action in view of the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Bhaskar Kumar, Qinyi Chen, Deenesh Padhi, Hexuan Wang, Abhinav Kumar
  • Patent number: 12460298
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    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
  • Patent number: 12142468
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of manufacturing a semiconductor cover wafer may include sintering aluminum nitride particles into a substrate characterized by a thickness and characterized by a disc shape. The methods may include grinding a surface of the substrate to reduce the thickness to less than or about 2 mm. The methods may include polishing the surface of the substrate to reduce a roughness. The methods may include annealing the substrate at a temperature of greater than or about 800° C. for a time period of greater than or about 60 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Bhaskar Kumar, Meng Cai, Sowjanya Musunuru, Kaushik Alayavalli, Andrew Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12106958
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for cleaning a chamber comprising introducing a gas to a processing volume of the chamber, providing a first radiofrequency (RF) power having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber, providing a second RF power having a second frequency to an electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume, and removing at least a portion of a film disposed on a surface of a chamber component of the chamber. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 20 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anup Kumar Singh, Rick Kustra, Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Bhaskar Kumar, Krishna Nittala, Pramit Manna, Kaushik Alayavalli, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Publication number: 20240271284
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetic and electromagnetic systems and a method for controlling the density profile of plasma generated in a process volume of a PECVD chamber to affect deposition profile of a film on a substrate and/or facilitate chamber cleaning after processing. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a rotational magnetic housing disposed about an exterior sidewall of a chamber. The rotational magnetic housing includes a plurality of magnets coupled to a sleeve that are configured to travel in a circular path when the rotational magnetic housing is rotated around the chamber, and a plurality of shunt doors movably disposed between the chamber and the sleeve, wherein each of the shunt doors are configured to move relative to the magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kallol BERA, Sathya Swaroop GANTA, Timothy Joseph FRANKLIN, Kaushik ALAYAVALLI, Akshay DHANAKSHIRUR, Stephen C. GARNER, Bhaskar KUMAR
  • Patent number: 12020911
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for chucking in substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a method of chucking one or more substrates in a substrate processing chamber includes applying a chucking voltage to a pedestal. A substrate is disposed on a support surface of the pedestal. The method also includes ramping the chucking voltage from the applied voltage, detecting an impedance shift while ramping the chucking voltage, determining a corresponding chucking voltage at which the impedance shift occurs, and determining a refined chucking voltage based on the impedance shift and the corresponding chucking voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Kumar, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Vivek Bharat Shah, Jiheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 11996273
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to semiconductor processing. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods for seasoning one or more components of a process chamber. In at least one embodiment, a method for seasoning a process chamber includes depositing a seasoning film onto a component of the process chamber at a chamber pressure of about 4 mTorr to about 20 mTorr and a temperature below about 200° C. or about 200° C. to about 400° C. The method includes depositing a deposition film onto the seasoning film. In at least one embodiment, a method includes introducing a nitrogen-containing gas to the seasoning film to form a nitrogen-treated seasoning film. Introducing the nitrogen-containing gas to the seasoning film is performed before depositing the deposition film onto the seasoning film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Bhaskar Kumar, Anup Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 11959174
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to magnetic and electromagnetic systems and a method for controlling the density profile of plasma generated in a process volume of a PECVD chamber to affect deposition profile of a film on a substrate and/or facilitate chamber cleaning after processing. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a rotational magnetic housing disposed about an exterior sidewall of a chamber. The rotational magnetic housing includes a plurality of magnets coupled to a sleeve that are configured to travel in a circular path when the rotational magnetic housing is rotated around the chamber, and a plurality of shunt doors movably disposed between the chamber and the sleeve, wherein each of the shunt doors are configured to move relative to the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Sathya Swaroop Ganta, Timothy Joseph Franklin, Kaushik Alayavalli, Akshay Dhanakshirur, Stephen C. Garner, Bhaskar Kumar
  • Patent number: 11859275
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to hardmask films and methods for depositing hardmask films. More particularly, implementations of the present disclosure generally relate to tungsten carbide hardmask films and processes for depositing tungsten carbide hardmask films. In one implementation, a method of forming a tungsten carbide film is provided. The method comprises forming a tungsten carbide initiation layer on a silicon-containing surface of a substrate at a first deposition rate. The method further comprises forming a tungsten carbide film on the tungsten carbide initiation layer at a second deposition rate, wherein the second deposition rate is greater than the first deposition rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Bharat Shah, Anup Kumar Singh, Bhaskar Kumar, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Publication number: 20230343586
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for cleaning a chamber comprising introducing a gas to a processing volume of the chamber, providing a first radiofrequency (RF) power having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber, providing a second RF power having a second frequency to an electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume, and removing at least a portion of a film disposed on a surface of a chamber component of the chamber. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 20 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anup Kumar SINGH, Rick KUSTRA, Vinayak Vishwanath HASSAN, Bhaskar KUMAR, Krishna NITTALA, Pramit MANNA, Kaushik ALAYAVALLI, Ganesh BALASUBRAMANIAN
  • Patent number: 11721545
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods of depositing carbon film layers greater than 3,000 ? in thickness over a substrate and surface of a lid of a chamber using dual frequency, top, sidewall and bottom sources. The method includes introducing a gas to a processing volume of a chamber. A first radiofrequency (RF) power is provided having a first frequency of about 40 MHz or greater to a lid of the chamber. A second RF power is provided having a second frequency to a bias electrode disposed in a substrate support within the processing volume. The second frequency is about 10 MHz to about 40 MHz. An additional third RF power is provided having lower frequency of about 400 kHz to about 2 MHz to the bias electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anup Kumar Singh, Rick Kustra, Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Bhaskar Kumar, Krishna Nittala, Pramit Manna, Kaushik Comandoor Alayavalli, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11699585
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods of forming hardmasks. Embodiments described herein enable, e.g., formation of carbon-containing hardmasks having reduced film stress. In an embodiment, a method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes positioning a substrate in a processing volume of a processing chamber and depositing a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer on the substrate. After depositing the DLC layer, the film stress is reduced by performing a plasma treatment, wherein the plasma treatment comprises applying a radio frequency (RF) bias power of about 100 W to about 10,000 W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jui-Yuan Hsu, Pramit Manna, Bhaskar Kumar, Karthik Janakiraman
  • Publication number: 20230069395
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of manufacturing a semiconductor cover wafer may include sintering aluminum nitride particles into a substrate characterized by a thickness and characterized by a disc shape. The methods may include grinding a surface of the substrate to reduce the thickness to less than or about 2 mm. The methods may include polishing the surface of the substrate to reduce a roughness. The methods may include annealing the substrate at a temperature of greater than or about 800° C. for a time period of greater than or about 60 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Bhaskar Kumar, Meng Cai, Sowjanya Musunuru, Kaushik Alayavalli, Andrew Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20230048661
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for chucking in substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a method of chucking one or more substrates in a substrate processing chamber includes applying a chucking voltage to a pedestal. A substrate is disposed on a support surface of the pedestal. The method also includes ramping the chucking voltage from the applied voltage, detecting an impedance shift while ramping the chucking voltage, determining a corresponding chucking voltage at which the impedance shift occurs, and determining a refined chucking voltage based on the impedance shift and the corresponding chucking voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Bhaskar KUMAR, Ganesh BALASUBRAMANIAN, Vivek Bharat SHAH, Jiheng ZHAO
  • Patent number: 11545376
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and an apparatus for monitoring plasma behavior inside a plasma processing chamber. In one example, a method for monitoring plasma behavior includes acquiring at least one image of a plasma, and determining a plasma parameter based on the at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidharth Bhatia, Edward P. Hammond, IV, Bhaskar Kumar, Anup Kumar Singh, Vivek Bharat Shah, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11515191
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may include a heater pedestal. In an embodiment, the heater pedestal may comprise a heater pedestal body and a conductive mesh embedded in the heater pedestal. In an embodiment, the conductive mesh is electrically coupled to a voltage source In an embodiment, the heater pedestal may further comprise a support surface on the heater pedestal body. In an embodiment, the support surface comprises a plurality of pillars extending out from the heater pedestal body and arranged in concentric rings. In an embodiment pillars in an outermost concentric ring have a height that is greater than a height of pillars in an innermost concentric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek B. Shah, Bhaskar Kumar, Ganesh Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11495440
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatuses for reducing particle contamination on substrates in a plasma processing chamber. In one or more embodiments, an edge ring is provided and includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and extending radially outward, an outer vertical wall extending between and connected to the top surface and the bottom surface, an inner vertical wall opposite the outer vertical wall, an inner lip extending radially inward from the inner vertical wall, and an inner step disposed between and connected to the inner wall and the bottom surface. During processing, the edge ring shifts the high plasma density zone away from the edge area of the substrate to avoid depositing particles on the substrate when the plasma is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Kumar, Prashanth Kothnur, Sidharth Bhatia, Anup Kumar Singh, Vivek Bharat Shah, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Changgong Wang
  • Patent number: 11488811
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for chucking in substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a method of chucking one or more substrates in a substrate processing chamber includes applying a chucking voltage to a pedestal. A substrate is disposed on a support surface of the pedestal. The method also includes ramping the chucking voltage from the applied voltage, detecting an impedance shift while ramping the chucking voltage, determining a corresponding chucking voltage at which the impedance shift occurs, and determining a refined chucking voltage based on the impedance shift and the corresponding chucking voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhaskar Kumar, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Vivek Bharat Shah, Jiheng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20220178017
    Abstract: In one example, a method includes flowing a carbon-containing gas into a processing volume of a process chamber, the process chamber having internal surfaces comprising aluminum, and depositing a carbon film on the internal surfaces of the process chamber. The method also includes flowing fluorine radicals into the process chamber, and fluorinating the carbon film to create a CFx layer on the internal surfaces. The method also includes oxidizing the CFx layer on the internal surfaces creating an AlOCFx layer on the internal surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Anup Kumar SINGH, Vinayak Vishwanath HASSAN, Bhaskar KUMAR, Ganesh BALASUBRAMANIAN