Patents by Inventor Erik C. Wasinger

Erik C. Wasinger 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: 7993485
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods adapted to polish an edge of a substrate include a polishing film, a frame adapted to tension and load the polishing film so that at least a portion of the film is supported in a plane, and a substrate rotation driver adapted to rotate a substrate against the plane of the polishing film such that the polishing film is adapted to apply force to the substrate, contour to an edge of the substrate, the edge including at least an outer edge and a first bevel, and polish the outer edge and the first bevel as the substrate is rotated. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Wasinger, Gary C. Ettinger, Sen-Hou Ko, Wei-Yung Hsu, Liang-Yuh Chen, Ho Seon Shin, Donald Olgado
  • Publication number: 20090036033
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an edge of a substrate is provided. The method comprises tensioning a first polishing film in a frame; contacting the first polishing film against an edge of a substrate; conforming the first polishing film to the edge of the substrate, the edge including an outer edge and at least one bevel; and rotating the substrate while the first polishing film remains in contact with the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Erik C. Wasinger, Gary C. Ettinger, Sen-Hou Ko, Wei-Yung Hsu, Liang-Yuh Chen, Ho Seon Shin, Donald Olgado
  • Publication number: 20090036039
    Abstract: Methods of and systems for polishing an edge of a substrate are provided. The invention includes a substrate rotation driver adapted to rotate the edge of a substrate against a polishing film; and a first sensor coupled to the rotation driver adapted to detect one of an energy and torque exerted by the substrate rotation driver as it rotates the substrate against the polishing film. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ho Seon Shin, Gary C. Ettinger, Donald J. K. Olgado, Erik C. Wasinger, Sen-Hour Ko, Yufei Chen, Charles I. Dodds, Wei-Yung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090036042
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for polishing an edge of a substrate. The invention includes an apparatus adapted to apply a preset pressure to a polishing film in contact with an edge of a substrate. The apparatus includes an actuator adapted to apply a preset pressure to the polishing film; and a controller coupled to the actuator and adapted to receive a signal indicative of a condition of the edge of the substrate, and to adjust a pressure applied by the actuator to the polishing film so as to maintain the preset pressure based on the received signal. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ho Seon Shin, Gary C. Ettinger, Donald J. K. Olgado, Erik C. Wasinger, Sen-Hou Ko, Charles I. Dodds, Yufei Chen, Wei-Yung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090029629
    Abstract: Methods for polishing an edge of a substrate are provided. The invention includes rotating a substrate against a polishing film so as to remove material from the edge of the substrate; and detecting an amount of force exerted in pressing the polishing film against the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Ho Seon Shin, Gary C. Ettinger, Donald J.K. Olgado, Erik C. Wasinger, Sen-Hou Ko, Charles I. Dodds, Yufei Chen, Wei-Yung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090017731
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning an edge of a substrate are provided. The invention includes a polishing film having a polishing side and a second side; an inflatable pad disposed adjacent the second side of the polishing film; a frame adapted to support the polishing film and the inflatable pad; and a substrate rotation driver adapted to rotate a substrate against the polishing side of the polishing film, wherein the polishing film is disposed between an edge of the substrate and the inflatable pad so that the inflatable pad and polishing film contour to the edge of the substrate with the polishing film contacting the edge of the substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ettinger, Erik C. Wasinger, Sen-Hou Ko, Wei-Yung Hsu, Liang-Yuh Chen, Ho Seon Shin, Donald Olgado