Patents by Inventor Brandon Byrns

Brandon Byrns 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: 11049700
    Abstract: Systems and related methods are disclosed for atmospheric plasma processing of microelectronic workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers. For disclosed embodiments, a radio frequency (RF) generator generates an RF signal that is distributed to one or more plasma sources within a process chamber. The process chamber has an atmospheric pressure between 350 to 4000 Torr. The plasma sources are then scanned across a microelectronic workpiece to apply plasma gasses generated by the plasma generators to the microelectronic workpiece. The plasma sources can be individually scanned and/or combined in arrays for scanning across the microelectronic workpiece. Linear and/or angular movement can be applied to the plasma sources and/or the microelectronic workpiece to provide the scanning operation. Various implementations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Anton J. deVilliers, Mirko Vukovic, Brandon Byrns
  • Publication number: 20180096827
    Abstract: Systems and related methods are disclosed for atmospheric plasma processing of microelectronic workpieces, such as semiconductor wafers. For disclosed embodiments, a radio frequency (RF) generator generates an RF signal that is distributed to one or more plasma sources within a process chamber. The process chamber has an atmospheric pressure between 350 to 4000 Torr. The plasma sources are then scanned across a microelectronic workpiece to apply plasma gasses generated by the plasma generators to the microelectronic workpiece. The plasma sources can be individually scanned and/or combined in arrays for scanning across the microelectronic workpiece. Linear and/or angular movement can be applied to the plasma sources and/or the microelectronic workpiece to provide the scanning operation. Various implementations are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Anton J. deVilliers, Mirko Vukovic, Brandon Byrns
  • Patent number: 9475710
    Abstract: A point of use irrigation water fertigation system utilizes plasma production of nitrogen-bearing species. Soluble nitrogen-bearing species are generated using an atmospheric air plasma treatment of an irrigation water supply. A plasma is generated by a tube having an air intake. A high frequency generator generates atmospheric plasma. The end of the tube is placed above the surface of the irrigation water supply and the plasma emanating from the tube generates nitrogen species in the water. The non-thermal plasma discharge efficiently produces highly reactive radicals and NOx species that have impact on water chemistry including inactivation of microorganisms with high efficacy and accelerated removal of persistent organic pollutants such as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) from water samples. Plasma ignition can be initiated with a low flow of helium gas injection. Upon ignition, the gas is transitioned to a helium/room air mix, immediately followed by a transition to ambient room air only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Steven C. Shannon, Detlef Knappe, Brandon Byrns, Daniel Wooten, Alexander Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20140262789
    Abstract: A point of use irrigation water fertigation system utilizes plasma production of nitrogen-bearing species. Soluble nitrogen-bearing species are generated using an atmospheric air plasma treatment of an irrigation water supply. A plasma is generated by a tube having an air intake. A high frequency generator generates atmospheric plasma. The end of the tube is placed above the surface of the irrigation water supply and the plasma emanating from the tube generates nitrogen species in the water. The non-thermal plasma discharge efficiently produces highly reactive radicals and NOx species that have impact on water chemistry including inactivation of microorganisms with high efficacy and accelerated removal of persistent organic pollutants such as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) from water samples. Plasma ignition can be initiated with a low flow of helium gas injection. Upon ignition, the gas is transitioned to a helium/room air mix, immediately followed by a transition to ambient room air only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Steven C. Shannon, Detlef Knappe, Brandon Byrns, Daniel Wooten, Alexander Lindsay