Patents by Inventor Darrell Ehrlich

Darrell Ehrlich 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: 11967517
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck for a substrate processing system includes a monolithic body made of ceramic. A plurality of first electrodes are arranged in the monolithic body adjacent to a top surface of the monolithic body and that are configured to selectively receive a chucking signal. A gas channel is formed in the monolithic body and is configured to supply back side gas to the top surface. Coolant channels are formed in the monolithic body and are configured to receive fluid to control a temperature of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Wang, Keith Gaff, Christopher Kimball, Darrell Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20240038504
    Abstract: A first edge ring for a substrate support is provided. The first edge ring includes an annular-shaped body and one or more lift pin receiving elements. The annular-shaped body is sized and shaped to surround an upper portion of the substrate support. The annular-shaped body defines an upper surface, a lower surface, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The one or more lift pin receiving elements are disposed along the lower surface of the annular-shaped body and sized and shaped to receive and provide kinematic coupling with top ends respectively of three or more lift pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Alejandro SANCHEZ, Grayson Ford, Darrell Ehrlich, Aravind Alwan, Kevin Leung, Anthony Contreras, Zhumin Han, Raphael Casaes, Joanna Wu
  • Publication number: 20230369026
    Abstract: A moveable edge ring system for a substrate processing system includes a top moveable ring including a first annular body arranged around a substrate support. The top moveable ring is exposed to plasma during substrate processing. A moveable support ring is arranged below the top moveable ring and radially outside of a baseplate of the substrate support and includes a second annular body. A shield ring is arranged radially outside of the moveable support ring and includes a third annular body. A cover ring includes a fourth annular body arranged above a radially outer edge of the top moveable ring. An actuator and a lift pin are configured to adjust a position of the top moveable ring and the moveable support ring relative to the shield ring and the cover ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher KIMBALL, Darrell EHRLICH, Yuma OHKURA
  • Publication number: 20230343627
    Abstract: A component of a semiconductor processing chamber formed of a metal matrix component having an anodized layer on a surface thereof. The anodized layer comprises an aluminum oxide layer and is formed over an AlSic component. The anodized layer provides the component with protection against corrosion due to plasma processing gases, as the anodized layer provides a protective coating. A layer of aluminum is plated over a surface of the component and the aluminum layer is subsequently anodized to form the protective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Debanjan DAS, Eric SAMULON, Darrell EHRLICH
  • Patent number: 11798789
    Abstract: A first edge ring for a substrate support is provided. The first edge ring includes an annular-shaped body and one or more lift pin receiving elements. The annular-shaped body is sized and shaped to surround an upper portion of the substrate support. The annular-shaped body defines an upper surface, a lower surface, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The one or more lift pin receiving elements are disposed along the lower surface of the annular-shaped body and sized and shaped to receive and provide kinematic coupling with top ends respectively of three or more lift pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alejandro Sanchez, Grayson Ford, Darrell Ehrlich, Aravind Alwan, Kevin Leung, Anthony Contreras, Zhumin Han, Raphael Casaes, Joanna Wu
  • Publication number: 20230274954
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly for supporting a substrate includes a baseplate, a ceramic plate arranged on the baseplate, and N resistive heaters arranged in X rows and Y columns and coupled to the ceramic plate. X, Y, and N are integers greater than 1, and N is less than or equal to X*Y. Each of the N resistive heaters have a first terminal and a second terminal. The ceramic plate includes Y conductors arranged in a first layer of the ceramic plate, and X conductors arranged in a second layer of the ceramic plate. The first terminals of each resistive heater in one of the X rows are directly connected to the Y conductors, respectively, by first vias. Second terminals of each resistive heater in the one of the X rows are directly connected to one of the X conductors by second vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Harmeet SINGH, Slobodan MITROVIC, Darrell EHRLICH, Benny WU
  • Publication number: 20230087913
    Abstract: A baseplate for a substrate support in a substrate processing system includes at least one coolant channel formed within the baseplate. The at least one coolant channel defines a volume within the baseplate configured to retain a coolant and follows a path configured to distribute the coolant in the volume throughout the baseplate. At least one fin is provided within the at least one coolant channel The at least one fin extends from at least one of a top, a bottom, and a sidewall of the at least one coolant channel into the volume to increase a surface area of the at least one coolant channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Feng WANG, Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric SAMULON
  • Publication number: 20230081544
    Abstract: A component for use inside a semiconductor chamber with a laser textured surface facing a vacuum region inside the semiconductor chamber is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Pylin SAROBOL, Eric SAMULON, Pankaj HAZARIKA, Dennis SMITH, Kurt KERN, Debanjan DAS, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric A. PAPE, Matthew Brian SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20230075462
    Abstract: An edge ring system comprising a substrate support configured to support a substrate during plasma processing and including a baseplate and an upper layer arranged on the baseplate. An edge ring support includes a first body and an electrostatic clamping electrode arranged in the first body. The edge ring support is arranged above the baseplate and radially outside of the substrate during processing. An edge ring includes a second body arranged on and electrostatically clamped to the edge ring support during plasma processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Keith COMENDANT, Adam Christopher MACE, Darrell EHRLICH, John HOLLAND, Felix Leib KOZAKEVICH, Alexei MARAKHTANOV
  • Patent number: 11594400
    Abstract: A plasma processing system includes a plasma chamber having a substrate support, and a multi-zone gas injection upper electrode disposed opposite the substrate support. An inner plasma region is defined between the upper electrode and the substrate support. The multi-zone gas injection upper electrode has a plurality of concentric gas injection zones. A confinement structure, which surrounds the inner plasma region, has an upper horizontal wall that interfaces with the outer electrode of the upper electrode. The confinement structure has a lower horizontal wall that interfaces with the substrate support, and includes a perforated confinement ring and a vertical wall that extends from the upper horizontal wall to the lower horizontal wall. The lower surface of the upper horizontal wall, an inner surface of the vertical wall, and an upper surface of the lower horizontal wall define a boundary of an outer plasma region, which surrounds the inner plasma region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Bise, Rajinder Dhindsa, Alexei Marakhtanov, Lumin Li, Sang Ki Nam, Jim Rogers, Eric Hudson, Gerardo Delgadino, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Mike Kellogg, Anthony de la Llera, Darrell Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20230039670
    Abstract: A baseplate of a substrate support assembly for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a processing chamber comprises a first component made of a first material including a metal and a nonmetal. The first material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A layer coating the first component is made of a second material. The second material has a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The first and second coefficients of thermal expansion are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Eric SAMULON, Darrell EHRLICH
  • Publication number: 20220270863
    Abstract: A moveable edge ring system for a plasma processing system includes a top edge ring and a first edge ring arranged below the top edge ring. A second edge ring is made of conductive material and includes an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion. The top edge ring and the second edge ring are configured to move in a vertical direction relative to a substrate support and the first edge ring when biased upwardly by a lift pin. The second edge ring is arranged below the top edge ring and radially outside of the first edge ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Kimball, Hema Swaroop Mopidevi, Saravanapriyan Sriraman, Tom A. Kamp, Darrell Ehrlich, Anthony Contreras, Chiara Helena Catherina Giammanco Macpherson
  • Publication number: 20220254612
    Abstract: A moveable edge ring system for a plasma processing system includes a top edge ring and a first edge ring arranged below the top edge ring. A second edge ring is made of conductive material and includes an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion. The top edge ring and the second edge ring are configured to move in a vertical direction relative to a substrate support and the first edge ring when biased upwardly by a lift pin. The second edge ring is arranged below the top edge ring and radially outside of the first edge ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher KIMBALL, Hema Swaroop MOPIDEVI, Saravanapriyan SRIRAMAN, Tom A. KAMP, Darrell EHRLICH, Anthony CONTRERAS, Chiara Helena Catherina MACPHERSON
  • Publication number: 20220246404
    Abstract: A component for use in a plasma processing chamber is provided. A metal containing component body is provided. A sealant coating is over a surface of the metal containing component body, wherein the sealant coating comprises at least one of a silicone sealant, an organic sealant, or epoxy sealant, wherein the sealant coating is not covered and directly exposed to plasma in the plasma processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Philip HEINE, Darrell EHRLICH, Robin KOSHY, Slobodan MITROVIC, John DAUGHERTY
  • Publication number: 20220223387
    Abstract: A spark suppression apparatus for a helium line in an electrostatic chuck in a plasma processing chamber is provided. The spark suppression apparatus comprises a dielectric multilumen plug in the helium line, wherein the dielectric multilumen plug has a plurality of lumens, wherein the plurality of lumens are numbered between 30 to 100,000 lumens and have a width of between 1 micron and 200 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Keith COMENDANT, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric SAMULON
  • Publication number: 20220148903
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck for a substrate processing system includes a monolithic body made of ceramic. A plurality of first electrodes are arranged in the monolithic body adjacent to a top surface of the monolithic body and that are configured to selectively receive a chucking signal. A gas channel is formed in the monolithic body and is configured to supply back side gas to the top surface. Coolant channels are formed in the monolithic body and are configured to receive fluid to control a temperature of the monolithic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Feng WANG, Keith GAFF, Christopher KIMBALL, Darrell EHRLICH
  • Publication number: 20220139681
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck system for a plasma processing chamber is provided. A base plate comprising Al—SiC is provided. A ceramic plate is disposed over the base plate. A bonding layer bonds the ceramic plate to the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Ann ERICKSON, Darrell EHRLICH
  • Patent number: 10978323
    Abstract: A substrate holder includes a base plate, a bond layer disposed over the base plate, and a ceramic layer disposed over the bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface including an area configured to support a substrate. A number of temperature measurement electrical devices are attached to the ceramic layer. Electrically conductive traces are embedded within the ceramic layer and positioned and routed to electrically connect with one or more of electrical contacts of the number of temperature measurement electrical devices. Electrical wires are disposed to electrically contact the electrically conductive traces. The electrical wires extend from the ceramic layer through the bond layer and through the base plate to a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Pape, Darrell Ehrlich, Mike Jing
  • Publication number: 20200395195
    Abstract: A first edge ring for a substrate support is provided. The first edge ring includes an annular-shaped body and one or more lift pin receiving elements. The annular-shaped body is sized and shaped to surround an upper portion of the substrate support. The annular-shaped body defines an upper surface, a lower surface, a radially inner surface, and a radially outer surface. The one or more lift pin receiving elements are disposed along the lower surface of the annular-shaped body and sized and shaped to receive and provide kinematic coupling with top ends respectively of three or more lift pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Alejandro SANCHEZ, Grayson FORD, Darrell EHRLICH, Aravind ALWAN, Kevin LEUNG, Anthony CONTRERAS, Zhumin HAN, Raphael CASAES, Joanna WU
  • Patent number: 10764966
    Abstract: A substrate support for a substrate processing system includes a plurality of heating zones, a baseplate, at least one of a heating layer and a ceramic layer arranged on the baseplate, and a plurality of heating elements provided within the at least one of the heating layer and the ceramic layer. The plurality of heating elements includes a first material having a first electrical resistance. Wiring is provided through the baseplate in a first zone of the plurality of heating zones. An electrical connection is routed from the wiring in the first zone to a first heating element of the plurality of heating elements. The first heating element is arranged in a second zone of the plurality of heating zones and the electrical connection includes a second material having a second electrical resistance that is less than the first electrical resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuma Ohkura, Darrell Ehrlich, Eric A. Pape