Patents by Inventor Carl A. Sorensen

Carl A. Sorensen 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: 20240105427
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for depositing a plurality of layers on a large area substrate. In one embodiment, a processing chamber for plasma deposition is provided. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support assembly. The showerhead is coupled to an RF power source and a ground and includes a plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. A plurality of plasma applicators is disposed within the showerhead, wherein one plasma applicator of the plurality of plasma applicators corresponds to one of the plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. Further, a DC bias power source is coupled to a substrate support assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Chien-Teh KAO, Tae Kyung WON, Carl A. SORENSEN, Sanjay D. YADAV, Young Dong LEE, Shinichi KURITA, Soo Young CHOI
  • Patent number: 11854771
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for depositing a plurality of layers on a large area substrate. In one embodiment, a processing chamber for plasma deposition is provided. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support assembly. The showerhead is coupled to an RF power source and a ground and includes a plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. A plurality of plasma applicators is disposed within the showerhead, wherein one plasma applicator of the plurality of plasma applicators corresponds to one of the plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. Further, a DC bias power source is coupled to a substrate support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Tae Kyung Won, Carl A. Sorensen, Sanjay D. Yadav, Young Dong Lee, Shinichi Kurita, Soo Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20230272530
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a lid assembly of a chamber for independent control of plasma density and gas distribution within the interior volume of the chamber. The lid assembly includes a plasma generation system and a gas distribution assembly. The plasma generation system includes a plurality of dielectric plates having a bottom surface oriented with respect to vacuum pressure and a top surface operable to be oriented with respect to atmospheric pressure. One or more coils are positioned on or over the plurality of dielectric plates. The gas distribution assembly includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a plurality of first channels intersecting a plurality of second channels of the second diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Suhail ANWAR, Yui Lun WU, Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, Jeevan Prakash SEQUEIRA
  • Patent number: 11532418
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Carl A. Sorensen, John M. White
  • Publication number: 20210280392
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for depositing a plurality of layers on a large area substrate. In one embodiment, a processing chamber for plasma deposition is provided. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support assembly. The showerhead is coupled to an RF power source and a ground and includes a plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. A plurality of plasma applicators is disposed within the showerhead, wherein one plasma applicator of the plurality of plasma applicators corresponds to one of the plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. Further, a DC bias power source is coupled to a substrate support assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Chien-Teh KAO, Tae Kyung WON, Carl A. SORENSEN, Sanjay D. YADAV, Young Dong LEE, Shinichi KURITA, Soo Young CHOI
  • Patent number: 11094508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for depositing a plurality of layers on a large area substrate. In one embodiment, a processing chamber for plasma deposition is provided. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support assembly. The showerhead is coupled to an RF power source and a ground and includes a plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. A plurality of plasma applicators is disposed within the showerhead, wherein one plasma applicator of the plurality of plasma applicators corresponds to one of the plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. Further, a DC bias power source is coupled to a substrate support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Teh Kao, Tae Kyung Won, Carl A. Sorensen, Sanjay D. Yadav, Young Dong Lee, Shinichi Kurita, Soo Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20210090777
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, John M. WHITE
  • Patent number: 10903048
    Abstract: A method of processing a material layer on a substrate is provided. The method includes delivering RF power from an RF power source through a match network to a showerhead of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber; igniting a plasma within the capacitively coupled plasma chamber; measuring one or more phase angles of one or more harmonic signals of the RF power relative to a phase of a fundamental frequency of the RF power; and adjusting at least one phase angle of at least one harmonic signal of the RF power relative to the phase of the fundamental frequency of the RF power based on the one or more phase angle measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yui Lun Wu, Jozef Kudela, Carl A. Sorensen, Suhail Anwar
  • Patent number: 10886053
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Carl A. Sorensen, John M. White
  • Publication number: 20200347499
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a lid assembly of a chamber for independent control of plasma density and gas distribution within the interior volume of the chamber. The lid assembly includes a plasma generation system and a gas distribution assembly. The plasma generation system includes a plurality of dielectric plates having a bottom surface oriented with respect to vacuum pressure and a top surface operable to be oriented with respect to atmospheric pressure. One or more coils are positioned on or over the plurality of dielectric plates. The gas distribution assembly includes a first diffuser and a second diffuser. The first diffuser includes a plurality of first channels intersecting a plurality of second channels of the second diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Suhail ANWAR, Yui Lun WU, Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, Jeevan Prakash SEQUEIRA
  • Publication number: 20200194233
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods and apparatus for depositing a plurality of layers on a large area substrate. In one embodiment, a processing chamber for plasma deposition is provided. The processing chamber includes a showerhead and a substrate support assembly. The showerhead is coupled to an RF power source and a ground and includes a plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. A plurality of plasma applicators is disposed within the showerhead, wherein one plasma applicator of the plurality of plasma applicators corresponds to one of the plurality of perforated gas diffusion members. Further, a DC bias power source is coupled to a substrate support assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Chien-Teh KAO, Tae Kyung WON, Carl A. SORENSEN, Sanjay D. YADAV, Young Dong LEE, Shinichi KURITA, Soo Young CHOI
  • Publication number: 20190198217
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, John M. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20190189328
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, John M. WHITE
  • Patent number: 10312475
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe a method for depositing a barrier layer of SiN using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process, and in particular, controlling a film stress of the deposited SiN layer by biasing the substrate during the deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Tae Kyung Won, Soo Young Choi, Sanjay D. Yadav, Carl A. Sorensen, Chien-Teh Kao, Suhail Anwar, Young Dong Lee
  • Patent number: 10304607
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Carl A. Sorensen, John M. White
  • Publication number: 20190043695
    Abstract: A method of processing a material layer on a substrate is provided. The method includes delivering RF power from an RF power source through a match network to a showerhead of a capacitively coupled plasma chamber; igniting a plasma within the capacitively coupled plasma chamber; measuring one or more phase angles of one or more harmonic signals of the RF power relative to a phase of a fundamental frequency of the RF power; and adjusting at least one phase angle of at least one harmonic signal of the RF power relative to the phase of the fundamental frequency of the RF power based on the one or more phase angle measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Yui Lun WU, Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, Suhail ANWAR
  • Publication number: 20180331328
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally describe a method for depositing a barrier layer of SiN using a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) process, and in particular, controlling a film stress of the deposited SiN layer by biasing the substrate during the deposition process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Tae Kyung WON, Soo Young CHOI, Sanjay D. YADAV, Carl A. SORENSEN, Chien-Teh KAO, Suhail ANWAR, Young Dong LEE
  • Publication number: 20180277351
    Abstract: RF power is coupled to one or more RF drive points (50-56) on an electrode (20-28) of a plasma chamber such that the level of RF power coupled to the RF drive points (51-52,55-56) on the half (61) of the electrode that is closer to the workpiece passageway (12) exceeds the level of RF power coupled to the RF drive points (53-54), if any, on the other half (62) of the electrode. Alternatively, RF power is coupled to one or more RF drive points on an electrode of a plasma chamber such that the weighted mean of the drive point positions is between the center (60) of the electrode and the workpiece passageway. The weighted mean is based on weighting each drive point position by the time-averaged level of RF power coupled to that drive point position. The invention offsets an increase in plasma density that otherwise would exist adjacent the end of the electrode closest to the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Carl A. Sorensen, Soo Young Choi, John M. White
  • Publication number: 20170327946
    Abstract: In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jozef KUDELA, Carl A. SORENSEN, John M. WHITE
  • Patent number: 9818580
    Abstract: A transmission line RF applicator apparatus and method for coupling RF power to a plasma in a plasma chamber. The apparatus comprises two conductors, one of which has a plurality of apertures. In one aspect, apertures in different portions of the conductor have different sizes, spacing or orientations. In another aspect, adjacent apertures at successive longitudinal positions are offset along the transverse dimension. In another aspect, the apparatus comprises an inner conductor and one or two outer conductors. The main portion of each of the one or two outer conductors includes a plurality of apertures that extend between an inner surface and an outer surface of the outer conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Tsutomu Tanaka, Carl A. Sorensen, Suhail Anwar, John M. White, Ranjit Indrajit Shinde, Seon-Mee Cho, Douglas D. Truong