Patents by Inventor Ernest E. Allen
Ernest E. Allen 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: 20230083497Abstract: An ion source. The ion source may include a plasma chamber to house a plasma, and an extraction assembly, disposed along a side of the plasma chamber, and comprising at least one extraction aperture. The ion source may further include an antenna assembly, extending through the plasma chamber, along a first axis. The antenna assembly may include a dielectric enclosure, a plurality of conductive antennae, extending along the first axis within the dielectric enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Peter F. Kurunczi, Ernest E. Allen
-
Patent number: 11424112Abstract: Embodiments herein include a transparent halo assembly for reducing an amount of sputtered material to minimize particle defects impacting a workpiece. In some embodiments, a halo assembly may include a first halo arranged around a semiconductor workpiece, and a mounting assembly coupling the first halo to a roplat. The first halo may include a first side opposite a second side, and a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first side is operable to receive an ion beam from an ion source. The first halo may further include a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides, wherein the plurality of apertures permit passage of a portion of the ion beam to pass therethrough, towards the mounting assembly. In some embodiments, the halo assembly may include a second halo positioned proximate the first halo, and a third halo disposed between the first halo and the mounting assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Costel Biloiu, Daniel McGillicuddy
-
Patent number: 10974276Abstract: A system that reduces the amount of water that enters a process chamber via a movable shaft is disclosed. The surface of the shaft is made hydrophobic. Any water droplets that are collected on the hydrophobic shaft are disposed at a high contact angle, making it more likely that these water droplets fall from the shaft. Further, any water that enters the process chamber is more readily removed from the shaft due to the lower energy of liberation. Reducing the amount of water in a process chamber may improve the lifetime of the components in the process chamber and may improve the yield of the workpieces being processed. This may be especially relevant when process gasses that contain halogens are employed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Jonathan David Fischer, Jeffrey E. Krampert
-
Publication number: 20200139401Abstract: A system that reduces the amount of water that enters a process chamber via a movable shaft is disclosed. The surface of the shaft is made hydrophobic. Any water droplets that are collected on the hydrophobic shaft are disposed at a high contact angle, making it more likely that these water droplets fall from the shaft. Further, any water that enters the process chamber is more readily removed from the shaft due to the lower energy of liberation. Reducing the amount of water in a process chamber may improve the lifetime of the components in the process chamber and may improve the yield of the workpieces being processed. This may be especially relevant when process gasses that contain halogens are employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, JR., Jonathan David Fischer, Jeffrey E. Krampert
-
Patent number: 10569299Abstract: A system that reduces the amount of water that enters a process chamber via a movable shaft is disclosed. The surface of the shaft is made hydrophobic. Any water droplets that are collected on the hydrophobic shaft are disposed at a high contact angle, making it more likely that these water droplets fall from the shaft. Further, any water that enters the process chamber is more readily removed from the shaft due to the lower energy of liberation. Reducing the amount of water in a process chamber may improve the lifetime of the components in the process chamber and may improve the yield of the workpieces being processed. This may be especially relevant when process gasses that contain halogens are employed.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Jonathan David Fischer, Jeffrey E. Krampert
-
Publication number: 20190299249Abstract: A system that reduces the amount of water that enters a process chamber via a movable shaft is disclosed. The surface of the shaft is made hydrophobic. Any water droplets that are collected on the hydrophobic shaft are disposed at a high contact angle, making it more likely that these water droplets fall from the shaft. Further, any water that enters the process chamber is more readily removed from the shaft due to the lower energy of liberation. Reducing the amount of water in a process chamber may improve the lifetime of the components in the process chamber and may improve the yield of the workpieces being processed. This may be especially relevant when process gasses that contain halogens are employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, JR., Jonathan David Fischer, Jeffrey E. Krampert
-
Patent number: 10325752Abstract: An extraction set including an extraction plate, a blocker and the holding mechanism for the blocker is disclosed. The extraction set includes an extraction plate that may be constructed of titanium coated with a ceramic material. The extraction plate is attached to the ion source using pins. The extraction plate also includes raised outline in its inner surface which is used to secure the blocker to the inner surface of the extraction plate. The ends of the blocker are secured by two holders disposed on opposite sides of the extraction aperture. The mechanism used for attaching the extraction plate to the ion source also improves the temperature uniformity of the extraction plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Adam Moritz Calkins, Ernest E. Allen, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20190139758Abstract: Embodiments herein include a transparent halo assembly for reducing an amount of sputtered material to minimize particle defects impacting a workpiece. In some embodiments, a halo assembly may include a first halo arranged around a semiconductor workpiece, and a mounting assembly coupling the first halo to a roplat. The first halo may include a first side opposite a second side, and a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first side is operable to receive an ion beam from an ion source. The first halo may further include a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides, wherein the plurality of apertures permit passage of a portion of the ion beam to pass therethrough, towards the mounting assembly. In some embodiments, the halo assembly may include a second halo positioned proximate the first halo, and a third halo disposed between the first halo and the mounting assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Costel Biloiu, Daniel McGillicuddy
-
Patent number: 10276340Abstract: A system for implanting ions into a workpiece while minimizing the generation of particles is disclosed. The system includes an ion source having an extraction plate with an extraction aperture. The extraction plate is electrically biased and may also be coated with a dielectric material. The workpiece is disposed on a platen and surrounded by an electrically biased shield. The shield may also be coated with a dielectric material. In operation, a pulsed DC voltage is applied to the shield and the platen, and ions are attracted from the ion source during this pulse. Since a pulsed voltage is used, the impedance of the thin dielectric coating is reduced, allowing the system to function properly.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Morgan D. Evans, Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Tyler Burton Rockwell, Richard J. Hertel, Joseph Frederick Sommers, Christopher R. Campbell
-
Publication number: 20180122670Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen to hold a substrate. A substrate plane structure may be disposed in front of the platen. The substrate plane structure has an opening therein. The apparatus may further include a removable structure disposed in the opening of the substrate plane structure. The removable structure may have an opening exposing a surface of the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Richard John Hertel, Jay R. Wallace, Keith A. Miller
-
Patent number: 9865433Abstract: A gas injection system, including an extraction plate having an extraction aperture for allowing passage of an ion beam through the extraction plate, the extraction plate further having a gas slot for expulsion of a residue removal gas from the extraction plate. The gas injection system may include a gas conduit extending through the extraction plate between the gas slot and a gas manifold, a gas source connected in fluid communication with the gas manifold, the gas source containing the residue removal gas. The gas manifold may include a valve adjustable between a first position, wherein the residue removal gas is allowed to flow into the extraction plate, and a second portion, wherein the residue removal gas can be vented from the extraction plate. The gas injection system may further include a manifold cover coupled to the gas manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associats, Inc.Inventors: Jay Wallace, Ernest E. Allen, Richard J. Hertel, Alexander C. Kontos, Shurong Liang, Jeffrey E. Krampert, Tyler Rockwell
-
Patent number: 9589769Abstract: A processing apparatus may include a plasma chamber to house a plasma; and an extraction assembly disposed along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction assembly may be configured to direct ions from the plasma to a substrate, wherein the ions generate etched species comprising material that is etched from the substrate; and wherein the extraction assembly comprises at least one component having a recess that faces the substrate and is configured to intercept and retain the etched species.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Vijayakumar C. Venugopal, Richard J. Hertel, Vikram Singh, Ernest E. Allen
-
Patent number: 9287085Abstract: A processing apparatus including a process chamber, a plasma source disposed within the process chamber, wherein the plasma source is movable in a first direction and is configured to emit an ion beam along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The apparatus may further include a platen disposed within the process chamber for supporting a substrate, and an ion beam current sensor that is disposed adjacent to the platen.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Jon Ballou, Kevin M. Daniels, James P. Buonodono, Joseph P. Dzengeleski
-
Publication number: 20160013030Abstract: A processing apparatus may include a plasma chamber to house a plasma; and an extraction assembly disposed along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction assembly may be configured to direct ions from the plasma to a substrate, wherein the ions generate etched species comprising material that is etched from the substrate; and wherein the extraction assembly comprises at least one component having a recess that faces the substrate and is configured to intercept and retain the etched species.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Vijayakumar C. Venugopal, Richard J. Hertel, Vikram Singh, Ernest E. Allen
-
Publication number: 20150325405Abstract: A processing apparatus including a process chamber, a plasma source disposed within the process chamber, wherein the plasma source is movable in a first direction and is configured to emit an ion beam along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The apparatus may further include a platen disposed within the process chamber for supporting a substrate, and an ion beam current sensor that is disposed adjacent to the platen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Jon Ballou, Kevin M. Daniels, James P. Buonodono, Joseph P. Dzengeleski
-
Patent number: 8941082Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a process chamber defining an enclosed volume, and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume. The dual sided workpiece assembly includes a base portion and a flip portion coupled to the base portion. The flip portion has a support surface configured to support at least one dual sided workpiece and is configured to rotate about a flipping axis. The processing apparatus also includes a controller configured to control the dual sided workpiece assembly to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions in the process chamber during a first time interval and to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions during a second time interval different than the first time interval by rotating the flip portion about the flipping axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Philip J. McGrail, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20140014854Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a process chamber defining an enclosed volume, and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume. The dual sided workpiece assembly includes a base portion and a flip portion coupled to the base portion. The flip portion has a support surface configured to support at least one dual sided workpiece and is configured to rotate about a flipping axis. The processing apparatus also includes a controller configured to control the dual sided workpiece assembly to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions in the process chamber during a first time interval and to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions during a second time interval different than the first time interval by rotating the flip portion about the flipping axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, JR., Philip J. McGrail, JR.
-
Patent number: 8563407Abstract: A method includes positioning at least one dual sided workpiece on an assembly in a process chamber to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, treating the first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, reorienting a portion of the assembly in the process chamber to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, the second side opposing the first side, and treating the second side. A processing apparatus including a process chamber defining an enclosed volume and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Philip J. McGrail, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20110226739Abstract: An apparatus for use within a process chamber is provided. The apparatus includes a liner adapted to cover the sidewalls of the process chamber, with apertures corresponding to various inlets and outlets in the process chamber. In addition, the liner has one or more apertures on its bottom surface, which allow particles to pass through the liner. The liner is designed to be shorter in height than the sidewalls of the process chamber. This allows the liner to be placed within the chamber such that its bottom surface is above the floor of the process chamber. This minimizes the possibility of particles that have fallen onto the process chamber floor becoming re-suspended at a later time. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a bottom liner is provided. This liner can be used in conjunction with a conventional liner or in a process chamber without a liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Ernest E. Allen, Appu Naveen George Thomas
-
Publication number: 20100260943Abstract: A method includes positioning at least one dual sided workpiece on an assembly in a process chamber to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, treating the first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, reorienting a portion of the assembly in the process chamber to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, the second side opposing the first side, and treating the second side. A processing apparatus including a process chamber defining an enclosed volume and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Richard J. HERTEL, Ernest E. Allen, Philip J. McGrail, JR.