Patents by Inventor Easwar Srinivasan
Easwar Srinivasan 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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Patent number: 10221484Abstract: A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Henner W. Meinhold, Dan M. Doble, Stephen Yu-Hong Lau, Vince Wilson, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20190067071Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20180323098Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 10121689Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20180211862Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 10020220Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20180158716Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. A pedestal assembly includes a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal assembly. A raising mechanism separates the lift pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, and a lever rotatably attached to the lift pad bracket. The lever rests on the roller when not engaged with the upper hard stop. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates about a pin when engaging the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the lift pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20180130696Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9960068Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9892956Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9670579Abstract: Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Hausmann, Jon Henri, Bart van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20170009344Abstract: A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Henner W. Meinhold, Dan M. Doble, Stephen Yu-Hong Lau, Vince Wilson, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9476120Abstract: A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Henner Meinhold, Dan M. Doble, Stephen Lau, Vince Wilson, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9230800Abstract: Methods of depositing a film on a substrate surface include surface mediated reactions in which a film is grown over one or more cycles of reactant adsorption and reaction. In one aspect, the method is characterized by the following operations: (a) exposing the substrate surface to a first reactant in vapor phase under conditions allowing the first reactant to adsorb onto the substrate surface; (b) exposing the substrate surface to a second reactant in vapor phase while the first reactant is adsorbed on the substrate surface; and (c) exposing the substrate surface to plasma to drive a reaction between the first and second reactants adsorbed on the substrate surface to form the film.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adrien LaVoie, Shankar Swaminathan, Hu Kang, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Tom Dorsh, Dennis M. Hausmann, Jon Henri, Thomas Jewell, Ming Li, Bryan Schlief, Antonio Xavier, Thomas W. Mountsier, Bart J. van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan, Mandyam Sriram
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Publication number: 20150259791Abstract: Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Dennis Hausmann, Jon Henri, Bart van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9070555Abstract: Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Hausmann, Jon Henri, Bart van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20140209562Abstract: Methods of depositing a film on a substrate surface include surface mediated reactions in which a film is grown over one or more cycles of reactant adsorption and reaction. In one aspect, the method is characterized by the following operations: (a) exposing the substrate surface to a first reactant in vapor phase under conditions allowing the first reactant to adsorb onto the substrate surface; (b) exposing the substrate surface to a second reactant in vapor phase while the first reactant is adsorbed on the substrate surface; and (c) exposing the substrate surface to plasma to drive a reaction between the first and second reactants adsorbed on the substrate surface to form the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adrien LaVoie, Shankar Swaminathan, Hu Kang, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Tom Dorsh, Dennis M. Hausmann, Jon Henri, Thomas Jewell, Ming Li, Bryan Schlief, Antonio Xavier, Thomas W. Mountsier, Bart J. van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan, Mandyam Sriram
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Publication number: 20140158792Abstract: A temperature controlled showerhead for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chambers enhances heat dissipation to enable accurate temperature control with an electric heater. Heat dissipates by conduction through a showerhead stem and fluid passageway and radiation from a back plate. A temperature control system includes one or more temperature controlled showerheads in a CVD chamber with fluid passageways serially connected to a heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Henner Meinhold, Dan M. Doble, Stephen Lau, Vince Wilson, Easwar Srinivasan
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Publication number: 20140141626Abstract: Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Dennis Hausmann, Jon Henri, Bart van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan
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Patent number: 8728956Abstract: Methods of depositing a film on a substrate surface include surface mediated reactions in which a film is grown over one or more cycles of reactant adsorption and reaction. In one aspect, the method is characterized by the following operations: (a) exposing the substrate surface to a first reactant in vapor phase under conditions allowing the first reactant to adsorb onto the substrate surface; (b) exposing the substrate surface to a second reactant in vapor phase while the first reactant is adsorbed on the substrate surface; and (c) exposing the substrate surface to plasma to drive a reaction between the first and second reactants adsorbed on the substrate surface to form the film.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adrien LaVoie, Shankar Swaminathan, Hu Kang, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Tom Dorsh, Dennis M. Hausmann, Jon Henri, Thomas Jewell, Ming Li, Bryan Schlief, Antonio Xavier, Thomas W. Mountsier, Bart J. van Schravendijk, Easwar Srinivasan, Mandyam Sriram