Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Tieger

Daniel R. Tieger 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: 20230260745
    Abstract: An ion source with a target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The ion source comprises a thermocouple disposed proximate the target holder to monitor the temperature of the solid dopant material. In certain embodiments, a controller uses this temperature information to vary one or more parameters of the ion source, such as arc voltage, cathode bias voltage, extracted beam current, or the position of the target holder within the arc chamber. Various embodiments showing the connections between the controller and the thermocouple are shown. Further, embodiments showing various placement of the thermocouple on the target holder are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Shreyansh P. Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Brian S. Gori, William R. Bogiages, Jr., Benjamin Oswald, Craig R. Chaney
  • Patent number: 11664192
    Abstract: An ion source with a target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The ion source comprises a thermocouple disposed proximate the target holder to monitor the temperature of the solid dopant material. In certain embodiments, a controller uses this temperature information to vary one or more parameters of the ion source, such as arc voltage, cathode bias voltage, extracted beam current, or the position of the target holder within the arc chamber. Various embodiments showing the connections between the controller and the thermocouple are shown. Further, embodiments showing various placement of the thermocouple on the target holder are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shreyansh P. Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Brian S. Gori, William R. Bogiages, Jr., Benjamin Oswald, Craig R. Chaney
  • Patent number: 11482397
    Abstract: An ion source is provided. The ion source may include an ion source chamber, and a cathode disposed in the ion source chamber and configured to emit electrons to generate a plasma within the ion source chamber, the cathode comprising a refractory metal, wherein the refractory metal comprises a macrocrystalline structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Richard Chaney, Frank Sinclair, Daniel R. Tieger
  • Patent number: 11404254
    Abstract: An ion source with an insertable target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The insertable target holder includes a pocket or cavity into which the solid dopant material is disposed. When the solid dopant material melts, it remains contained within the pocket, thus not damaging or degrading the arc chamber. Additionally, the target holder can be moved from one or more positions where the pocket is at least partially in the arc chamber to one or more positions where the pocket is entirely outside the arc chamber. In certain embodiments, a sleeve may be used to cover at least a portion of the open top of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Shreyansh Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Klaus Becker, Daniel R. Tieger, Stephen Krause
  • Publication number: 20210375585
    Abstract: An ion source with a target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The ion source comprises a thermocouple disposed proximate the target holder to monitor the temperature of the solid dopant material. In certain embodiments, a controller uses this temperature information to vary one or more parameters of the ion source, such as arc voltage, cathode bias voltage, extracted beam current, or the position of the target holder within the arc chamber. Various embodiments showing the connections between the controller and the thermocouple are shown. Further, embodiments showing various placement of the thermocouple on the target holder are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Shreyansh P. Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Brian S. Gori, William R. Bogiages, JR., Benjamin Oswald, Craig R. Chaney
  • Patent number: 11170973
    Abstract: An ion source with a target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The ion source comprises a thermocouple disposed proximate the target holder to monitor the temperature of the solid dopant material. In certain embodiments, a controller uses this temperature information to vary one or more parameters of the ion source, such as arc voltage, cathode bias voltage, extracted beam current, or the position of the target holder within the arc chamber. Various embodiments showing the connections between the controller and the thermocouple are shown. Further, embodiments showing various placement of the thermocouple on the target holder are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shreyansh P. Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Brian S. Gori, William R. Bogiages, Jr., Benjamin Oswald, Craig R. Chaney
  • Publication number: 20210110995
    Abstract: An ion source with a target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The ion source comprises a thermocouple disposed proximate the target holder to monitor the temperature of the solid dopant material. In certain embodiments, a controller uses this temperature information to vary one or more parameters of the ion source, such as arc voltage, cathode bias voltage, extracted beam current, or the position of the target holder within the arc chamber. Various embodiments showing the connections between the controller and the thermocouple are shown. Further, embodiments showing various placement of the thermocouple on the target holder are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Shreyansh P. Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Brian S. Gori, William R. Bogiages, JR., Benjamin Oswald, Craig R. Chaney
  • Patent number: 10957509
    Abstract: An ion source with an insertable target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The insertable target holder includes a hollow interior into which the solid dopant material is disposed. The target holder has a porous surface at a first end, through which vapors from the solid dopant material may enter the arc chamber. The porous surface inhibits the passage of liquid or molten dopant material into the arc chamber. The target holder is also constructed such that it may be refilled with dopant material when the dopant material within the hollow interior has been consumed. The porous surface may be a portion of a perforated crucible, a portion of a perforated retention cap, or a porous insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Shreyansh P. Patel, Daniel R. Tieger
  • Patent number: 10896799
    Abstract: An IHC ion source with multiple configurations is disclosed. For example, an IHC ion source comprises a chamber, having at least one electrically conductive wall, and a cathode and a repeller disposed on opposite ends of the chamber. Electrodes are disposed on one or more walls of the ion source. Bias voltages are applied to at least one of the cathode, repeller and the electrodes, relative to the electrically conductive wall of the chamber. Further, the IHC ion source comprises a configuration circuit, which receives the various voltages as input voltages, and provides selected output voltages to the cathode, repeller and electrodes, based on user input. In this way, the IHC ion source can be readily reconfigured for different applications without rewiring the power supplies, as is currently done. This configuration circuit may be utilized with other types of ion sources as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Becker, Carlos M. Goulart, Daniel Alvarado, Daniel R. Tieger, Alexander S. Perel
  • Publication number: 20200090916
    Abstract: An ion source with an insertable target holder for holding a solid dopant material is disclosed. The insertable target holder includes a pocket or cavity into which the solid dopant material is disposed. When the solid dopant material melts, it remains contained within the pocket, thus not damaging or degrading the arc chamber. Additionally, the target holder can be moved from one or more positions where the pocket is at least partially in the arc chamber to one or more positions where the pocket is entirely outside the arc chamber. In certain embodiments, a sleeve may be used to cover at least a portion of the open top of the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Shreyansh Patel, Graham Wright, Daniel Alvarado, Klaus Becker, Daniel R. Tieger, Stephen Krause
  • Patent number: 10290461
    Abstract: An ion source having improved life is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ion source is an IHC ion source comprising a chamber, having a plurality of electrically conductive walls, having a cathode which is electrically connected to the walls of the ion source. Electrodes are disposed on one or more walls of the ion source. A bias voltage is applied to at least one of the electrodes, relative to the walls of the chamber. In certain embodiments, fewer positive ions are attracted to the cathode, reducing the amount of sputtering experienced by the cathode. Advantageously, the life of the cathode is improved using this technique. In another embodiment, the ion source comprises a Bernas ion source comprising a chamber having a filament with one lead of the filament connected to the walls of the ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Tieger, Klaus Becker, Daniel Alvarado, Alexander S. Perel
  • Publication number: 20190122851
    Abstract: An ion source having improved life is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ion source is an IHC ion source comprising a chamber, having a plurality of electrically conductive walls, having a cathode which is electrically connected to the walls of the ion source. Electrodes are disposed on one or more walls of the ion source. A bias voltage is applied to at least one of the electrodes, relative to the walls of the chamber. In certain embodiments, fewer positive ions are attracted to the cathode, reducing the amount of sputtering experienced by the cathode. Advantageously, the life of the cathode is improved using this technique. In another embodiment, the ion source comprises a Bernas ion source comprising a chamber having a filament with one lead of the filament connected to the walls of the ion source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel R. Tieger, Klaus Becker, Daniel Alvarado, Alexander S. Perel
  • Patent number: 9691584
    Abstract: An ion source having improved life is disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ion source is an IHC ion source comprising a chamber, having a plurality of electrically conductive walls, having a cathode which is electrically connected to the walls of the ion source. Electrodes are disposed on one or more walls of the ion source. A bias voltage is applied to at least one of the electrodes, relative to the walls of the chamber. In certain embodiments, fewer positive ions are attracted to the cathode, reducing the amount of sputtering experienced by the cathode. Advantageously, the life of the cathode is improved using this technique. In another embodiment, the ion source comprises a Bernas ion source comprising a chamber having a filament with one lead of the filament connected to the walls of the ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Tieger, Klaus Becker, Daniel Alvarado
  • Publication number: 20160175804
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the production of laser induced high mass molecular borane is disclosed for an ion implantation system. The system comprises a laser, a diborane gas source, a heated interaction chamber for generating a high mass molecular borane, a transport system for transferring the high mass molecular borane, and an ion source chamber for generating an ion beam in an ion beam path for implantation of a workpiece. The transport system comprises at least a first and a second flow control component at least a first heated chamber, wherein the first heated chamber is disposed between the first and second flow control components, and wherein the first heated chamber is configured to condense the high mass molecular borane. The laser comprises a CO2 laser configured to irradiate the diborane source gas at a wavelength of about 10.6 ?m at a R-16 (973 cm?1) line of excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: William Davis Lee, William DiVergilio, Daniel R. Tieger
  • Patent number: 8803110
    Abstract: Beam current is adjusted during ion implantation by adjusting one or more parameters of an ion source. The ion beam is generated or provided by a non-arc discharge based ion source, such as an electron gun driven ion source or an RF driven ion source. A beam current adjustment amount is determined. Then, one or more parameters of the ion source are adjusted according to the determined beam current adjustment amount. The beam current is provided having a modulated beam current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Graf, Edward C. Eisner, William F. DiVergilio, Daniel R. Tieger
  • Patent number: 8524584
    Abstract: Methods and carbon ion precursor compositions for implanting carbon ions generally includes vaporizing and ionizing a gas mixture including carbon oxide and methane gases in an ion source to create a plasma and produce carbon ions. The ionized carbon within the plasma is then extracted to form an ion beam. The ion beam is mass analyzed with a mass analyzer magnet to permit the ionized carbon to pass therethrough and implant into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Lee, Daniel R. Tieger, Tseh-Jen Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8350236
    Abstract: Methods for implanting an aromatic carbon molecule or a selected ionized lower mass byproduct into a workpiece generally includes vaporizing and ionizing aromatic carbon molecule in an ion source to create a plasma and produce aromatic carbon molecules and its ionized lower mass byproducts. The ionized aromatic carbon molecules and lower mass byproducts within the plasma are then extracted to form an ion beam. The ion beam is mass analyzed with a mass analyzer magnet to permit selected ionized aromatic carbon molecules or selected ionized lower mass byproducts to pass therethrough and implant into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Davis Lee, Daniel R. Tieger
  • Publication number: 20120190181
    Abstract: Methods and carbon ion precursor compositions for implanting carbon ions generally includes vaporizing and ionizing a gas mixture including carbon oxide and methane gases in an ion source to create a plasma and produce carbon ions. The ionized carbon within the plasma is then extracted to form an ion beam. The ion beam is mass analyzed with a mass analyzer magnet to permit the ionized carbon to pass therethrough and implant into a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM D. LEE, DANIEL R. TIEGER, TSEH-JEN HSIEH
  • Patent number: 8193513
    Abstract: A hybrid ion source, comprising a source body configured to create plasma therein, from a first material, wherein the first material comprises one of monatomic gases, small molecule gases, large molecule gases, reactive gases, and solids, a low power plasma generation component operably associated with the source body, a high power plasma generation component operably associated with the source body and an extraction aperture configured to extract ions of the ion plasma from the source body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. DiVergilio, Daniel R. Tieger, Michael A. Graf
  • Publication number: 20110171817
    Abstract: Methods for implanting an aromatic carbon molecule or a selected ionized lower mass byproduct into a workpiece generally includes vaporizing and ionizing aromatic carbon molecule in an ion source to create a plasma and produce aromatic carbon molecules and its ionized lower mass byproducts. The ionized aromatic carbon molecules and lower mass byproducts within the plasma are then extracted to form an ion beam. The ion beam is mass analyzed with a mass analyzer magnet to permit selected ionized aromatic carbon molecules or selected ionized lower mass byproducts to pass therethrough and implant into a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: W. Davis Lee, Daniel R. Tieger