Patents by Inventor Christopher Bencher
Christopher Bencher 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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Publication number: 20240184097Abstract: A digital lithography system may adjust a wavelength of the light source to compensate for tilt errors in micromirrors while maintaining a perpendicular direction for the reflected light. Adjacent pixels may have a phase shift that is determined by an optical path difference between their respective light beams. This phase shift may be preselected to be any value by generating a corresponding wavelength at the light source based on the optical path difference. To generate a specific wavelength corresponding to the desired phase shift, the light source may produce multiple light components that have wavelengths that bracket the wavelength of the selected phase shift. The intensities of these components may then be controlled individually to produce an effect that approximates the selected phase shift on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Laidig, Christopher Bencher, Hwan J. Jeong, Uwe Hollerbach
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Patent number: 11899198Abstract: A digital lithography system may adjust a wavelength of the light source to compensate for tilt errors in micromirrors while maintaining a perpendicular direction for the reflected light. Adjacent pixels may have a phase shift that is determined by an optical path difference between their respective light beams. This phase shift may be preselected to be any value by generating a corresponding wavelength at the light source based on the optical path difference. To generate a specific wavelength corresponding to the desired phase shift, the light source may produce multiple light components that have wavelengths that bracket the wavelength of the selected phase shift. The intensities of these components may then be controlled individually to produce an effect that approximates the selected phase shift on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Laidig, Christopher Bencher, Hwan J. Jeong, Uwe Hollerbach
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Publication number: 20240044863Abstract: An imaging system for capturing spatial images of biological tissue samples may include an imaging chamber configured to hold a biological tissue sample placed in the imaging system; a light source configured to illuminate the biological tissue sample to activate one or more fluorophores in the biological tissue sample; a Time Delay and Integration (TDI) imager comprising a plurality of partitions, where the plurality of partitions may be configured to capture images at a plurality of different depths in the biological tissue sample simultaneously during a scan by the TDI imager; and a controller configured to cause the TDI imager to scan the biological tissue sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Bencher
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Publication number: 20230408807Abstract: A digital lithography system may adjust a wavelength of the light source to compensate for tilt errors in micromirrors while maintaining a perpendicular direction for the reflected light. Adjacent pixels may have a phase shift that is determined by an optical path difference between their respective light beams. This phase shift may be preselected to be any value by generating a corresponding wavelength at the light source based on the optical path difference. To generate a specific wavelength corresponding to the desired phase shift, the light source may produce multiple light components that have wavelengths that bracket the wavelength of the selected phase shift. The intensities of these components may then be controlled individually to produce an effect that approximates the selected phase shift on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Laidig, Christopher Bencher, Hwan J. Jeong, Uwe Hollerbach
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Patent number: 11822253Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for decreasing total distortion of a maskless lithography process are disclosed. Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatus for decreasing total distortion without physical modification of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Joseph Johnson, Christopher Bencher
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Publication number: 20220357665Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for decreasing total distortion of a maskless lithography process are disclosed. Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatus for decreasing total distortion without physical modification of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Johnson, Christopher Bencher
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Patent number: 10877199Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polarizer apparatus is described. The method includes forming a patterned resist structure having lines with a top surface and two or more side surfaces; depositing a conductive material over the patterned resist structure, wherein the conductive material is provided at the top surface and the two or more side surfaces, and wherein a layer structure is formed; and etching the layer structure to remove the conductive material from the top surface of the lines to form conductive lines of the conductive material at the two or more side surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Kevin Cunningham, Christopher Bencher
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Publication number: 20190257991Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polarizer apparatus is described. The method includes forming a patterned resist structure having lines with a top surface and two or more side surfaces; depositing a conductive material over the patterned resist structure, wherein the conductive material is provided at the top surface and the two or more side surfaces, and wherein a layer structure is formed; and etching the layer structure to remove the conductive material from the top surface of the lines to form conductive lines of the conductive material at the two or more side surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Kevin CUNNINGHAM, Christopher BENCHER
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Patent number: 10108093Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field, a magnetic field, and/or a standing wave during photolithography processes. The field and/or standing wave application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Peng Xie, Ludovic Godet, Christopher Bencher
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Publication number: 20180074311Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a DMD. The DMD includes a base and a plurality of mirrors disposed on the base. Each mirror of the plurality of mirrors has a surface facing away from the base, and a structure is disposed on the surface of each mirror. The structure enhances the reflectance of the surface of each mirror, which enhances the efficiency of light manipulation and delivery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2015Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Edward BUDIARTO, Mehdi VAEZ-IRAVANI, Christopher BENCHER
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Publication number: 20180052396Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field, a magnetic field, and/or a standing wave during photolithography processes. The field and/or standing wave application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Peng XIE, Ludovic GODET, Christopher BENCHER
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Patent number: 9798240Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field, a magnetic field, and/or a standing wave during photolithography processes. The field and/or standing wave application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Peng Xie, Ludovic Godet, Christopher Bencher
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Patent number: 9395631Abstract: Multi-beam pattern generators employing yaw correction when writing upon large substrates, and associated methods are disclosed. A multi-beam pattern generator may include a spatial light modulator (SLM) with independently controllable mirrors to reflect light onto a substrate to write a pattern. The pattern may be written in writing cycles where the substrate is moved to writing cycle zone locations. The light is reflected by the SLM onto the substrate by mirrors of the SLM in active positions to write the pattern upon the substrate. By determining a location and yaw of the substrate with respect to the SLM in each writing cycle, some mirrors of the SLM may be digitally controlled to either inactive positions or the active positions to compensate for the yaw of the substrate. In this manner, the pattern written upon the substrate may be precisely written with compensation for yaw.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventor: Christopher Bencher
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Patent number: 9377692Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field and/or a magnetic field during photolithography processes. The field application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Peng Xie, Ludovic Godet, Tristan Ma, Joseph C. Olson, Christopher Bencher
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Publication number: 20160011518Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field, a magnetic field, and/or a standing wave during photolithography processes. The field and/or standing wave application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Peng XIE, Ludovic GODET, Christopher BENCHER
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Publication number: 20150355549Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. The random diffusion of acid generated by a photoacid generator during a lithography process contributes to line edge/width roughness. Methods disclosed herein apply an electric field and/or a magnetic field during photolithography processes. The field application controls the diffusion of the acids generated by the photoacid generator along the line and spacing direction, preventing the line edge/width roughness that results from random diffusion. Apparatuses for carrying out the aforementioned methods are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Peng XIE, Ludovic GODET, Tristan MA, Joseph C. OLSON, Christopher BENCHER
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Publication number: 20150277232Abstract: Multi-beam pattern generators employing yaw correction when writing upon large substrates, and associated methods are disclosed. A multi-beam pattern generator may include a spatial light modulator (SLM) with independently controllable mirrors to reflect light onto a substrate to write a pattern. The pattern may be written in writing cycles where the substrate is moved to writing cycle zone locations. The light is reflected by the SLM onto the substrate by mirrors of the SLM in active positions to write the pattern upon the substrate. By determining a location and yaw of the substrate with respect to the SLM in each writing cycle, some mirrors of the SLM may be digitally controlled to either inactive positions or the active positions to compensate for the yaw of the substrate. In this manner, the pattern written upon the substrate may be precisely written with compensation for yaw.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventor: Christopher BENCHER
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Publication number: 20080096138Abstract: An anti-reflective hard mask layer left on a radiation-blocking layer during fabrication of a reticle provides functionality when the reticle is used in a semiconductor device manufacturing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Christopher Bencher, Melvin Montgomery, Alexander Buxbaum, Yung-Hee Lee, Jian Ding, Gilad Almogy, Wendy Yeh
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Publication number: 20080057740Abstract: Methods are disclosed for activating dopants in a doped semiconductor substrate. A carbon precursor is flowed into a substrate processing chamber within which the doped semiconductor substrate is disposed. A plasma is formed from the carbon precursor in the substrate processing chamber. A carbon film is deposited over the substrate with the plasma. A temperature of the substrate is maintained while depositing the carbon film less than 500° C. The deposited carbon film is exposed to electromagnetic radiation for a period less than 10 ms, and has an extinction coefficient greater than 0.3 at a wavelength comprised by the electromagnetic radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Munro, Srinivas Nemani, Young Lee, Marlon Menezes, Christopher Bencher, Vijay Parihar
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Publication number: 20070243721Abstract: A method of processing a substrate comprising depositing a layer comprising amorphous carbon on the substrate and then exposing the substrate to electromagnetic radiation have one or more wavelengths between about 600 nm and about 1000 nm under conditions sufficient to heat the layer to a temperature of at least about 300° C. is provided. Optionally, the layer further comprises a dopant selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, boron, phosphorus, fluorine, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the layer comprising amorphous carbon is an anti-reflective coating and an absorber layer that absorbs the electromagnetic radiation and anneals a top surface layer of the substrate. In one aspect, the substrate is exposed to the electromagnetic radiation in a laser annealing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Inventors: LUC AUTRYVE, Christopher Bencher, Dean Jennings, Haifan Liang, Abhilash Mayur, Mark Yam, Wendy Yeh, Richard Brough