Patents by Inventor Francois Henley
Francois Henley 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: 9640711Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Al Lamm, Yi-Lei Chow
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Publication number: 20160276522Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Francois HENLEY, Al LAMM, Yi-Lei CHOW
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Patent number: 9356181Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: SILICON GENESIS CORPORATIONInventors: Francois Henley, Al Lamm, Yi-Lei Chow
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Publication number: 20150155422Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Francois HENLEY, Al LAMM, Yi-Lei CHOW
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Patent number: 8993410Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Al Lamm, Yi-Lei Chow
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Publication number: 20120234887Abstract: A thickness of material may be detached from a substrate along a cleave plane, utilizing a cleaving process controlled by a releasable constraint plate. In some embodiments this constraint plate may comprise a plate that can couple side forces (the “P-plate”) and a thin, softer compliant layer (the “S-layer”) situated between the P-plate and the substrate. In certain embodiments a porous surface within the releasable constraint plate and in contact to the substrate, allows the constraint plate to be secured to the substrate via a first pressure differential. Application of a combination of a second pressure differential within a pre-existing cleaved portion, and a linear force to a side of the releasable constraint plate bound to the substrate, generates loading that results in controlled cleaving along the cleave plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SILICON GENESIS CORPORATIONInventors: Francois Henley, Al Lamm, Yi-Lei Chow
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Publication number: 20080057675Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of forming a stressed region in a selected manner at a selected depth (20) underneath the surface. An energy source such as pressurized fluid is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Nathan Cheung
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Publication number: 20080038908Abstract: A method for manufacturing doped substrates using a continuous large area scanning implantation process is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a movable track member. The movable track member is provided in a chamber. The chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. In a specific embodiment, the movable track member can include one or more rollers, air bearings, belt member, and/or movable beam member to provide one or more substrates for a scanning process. The method may also include providing a first substrate. The first substrate includes a first plurality of tiles. The method maintains the first substrate including the first plurality of tiles in a vacuum. The method includes transferring the first substrate including the first plurality of tiles from the inlet port onto the movable track member. The first plurality of tiles are subjected to a scanning implant process. The method also includes maintaining a second substrate including a second plurality of tiles in the vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventor: Francois Henley
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Publication number: 20080038901Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Nathan Cheung
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Publication number: 20070235074Abstract: A photovoltaic cell device, e.g., solar cell, solar panel, and method of manufacture. The device has an optically transparent substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. A first thickness of material (e.g., semiconductor material, single crystal material) having a first surface region and a second surface region is included. In a preferred embodiment, the surface region is overlying the first surface of the optically transparent substrate. The device has an optical coupling material provided between the first surface region of the thickness of material and the first surface of the optically transparent material. A second thickness of semiconductor material is overlying the second surface region to form a resulting thickness of semiconductor material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Philip Ong
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Publication number: 20070232022Abstract: A method for fabricating bonded substrate structures, e.g., silicon on silicon. In a specific embodiment, the method includes providing a thickness of single crystal silicon material transferred from a first silicon substrate coupled to a second silicon substrate. In a specific embodiment, the second silicon substrate has a second surface region that is joined to a first surface region from the thickness of single crystal silicon material to form of an interface region having a first characteristic including a silicon oxide material between the thickness of single crystal silicon material and the second silicon substrate. The method includes subjecting the interface region to a thermal process to cause a change to the interface region from the first characteristic to a second characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, James Sullivan, Sien Kang, Philip Ong, Harry Kirk, David Jacy, Igor Malik
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Publication number: 20070123013Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: FRANCOIS HENLEY, Nathan Cheung
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Publication number: 20070122995Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: FRANCOIS HENLEY, Nathan Cheung
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Publication number: 20070122997Abstract: A technique for forming a film of material (12) from a donor substrate (10). The technique has a step of introducing energetic particles (22) through a surface of a donor substrate (10) to a selected depth (20) underneath the surface, where the particles have a relatively high concentration to define a donor substrate material (12) above the selected depth. An energy source is directed to a selected region of the donor substrate to initiate a controlled cleaving action of the substrate (10) at the selected depth (20), whereupon the cleaving action provides an expanding cleave front to free the donor material from a remaining portion of the donor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: FRANCOIS HENLEY, Nathan Cheung
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Publication number: 20070087531Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for bonding together substrates in a manner that suppresses the formation of voids between them. In a specific embodiment, a backside of each substrate is adhered to a front area of flexible, porous chuck having a rear area in pneumatic communication with a vacuum. Application of the vacuum causes the chuck and the associated substrate to slightly bend. Owing to this bending, physical contact between local portions on the front side of the flexed substrates may be initiated, while maintaining other portions on front side of the substrates substantially free from contact with each other. A bond wave is formed and maintained at a determined velocity to form a continuous interface joining the front sides of the substrates, without formation of voids therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Harry Kirk, Francois Henley, Philip Ong
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Publication number: 20070051299Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a strained semiconductor layer. The method comprises growing a strained first semiconductor layer, having a graded dopant profile, on a wafer, having a first lattice constant. The dopant imparts a second lattice constant to the first semiconductor layer. The method further comprises growing a strained boxed second semiconductor layer having the second lattice constant on the first semiconductor layer and growing a sacrificial third semiconductor layer having the first lattice constant on the second semiconductor layer. The method further comprises etch annealing the third and second semiconductor layer, wherein the third semiconductor layer is removed and the second semiconductor layer is relaxed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2006Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Philip Ong, Francois Henley, Igor Malik
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Publication number: 20070037323Abstract: A method for forming a strained silicon layer of semiconductor material. The method includes providing a deformable surface region having a first predetermined radius of curvature, which is defined by R(l) and is defined normal to the surface region. A backing plate is coupled to the deformable surface region to cause the deformable surface region to be substantially non-deformable. The method includes providing a first substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) having a first thickness. Preferably, the first substrate has a face, a backside, and a cleave plane defined within the first thickness. The method includes a step of overlying the backside of the first substrate on a portion of the surface region having the predetermined radius of curvature to cause a first bend within the thickness of material to form a first strain within a portion of the first thickness. The method provides a second substrate having a second thickness, which has a face and a backside.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2005Publication date: February 15, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventors: Francois Henley, Harry Kirk
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Publication number: 20070032084Abstract: A method for fabricating one or more devices, e.g., integrated circuits. The method includes providing a substrate (e.g., silicon), which has a thickness of semiconductor material and a surface region. The substrate also has a cleave plane provided within the substrate to define the thickness of semiconductor material. The method includes joining the surface region of the substrate to a first handle substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the first handle substrate is termed a “thin” substrate, which provides suitable bonding characteristics, can withstand high temperature processing often desired during the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and has desirable de-bonding characteristics between it and a second handle substrate, which will be described in more detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the first handle substrate is also thick enough and rigid enough to allow for cleaving according to a specific embodiment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventor: Francois Henley
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Publication number: 20070029043Abstract: A method for fabricating one or more devices, e.g., integrated circuits. The method includes providing a multi-layered substrate, which has a thickness of material (e.g., single crystal silicon) overlying a first debondable surface coupled to and overlying a second debondable surface. The second debondable surface is overlying an interface region of the multi-layered substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of material having a surface region. The method includes processing the surface region of the multi-layered substrate using one or more processes to form at least one device onto a portion of the surface region. The method includes forming a planarized upper surface region overlying the surface region of the thickness of material. The method includes joining the planarized upper surface region to a face of a handle substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2005Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventor: Francois Henley
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Publication number: 20070032044Abstract: A method for fabricating one or more devices using semiconductor substrate with a cleave region. The method includes providing a substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate has a thickness of semiconductor material and a surface region. In a specific embodiment, the substrate also has a cleave plane (including a plurality of particles, deposited material, or any combination of these, and the like) provided within the substrate, which defines the thickness of semiconductor material. The method includes joining the surface region of the substrate to a first handle substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes initiating a controlled cleaving action at a portion of the cleave plane to detach the thickness of semiconductor material from the substrate, while the thickness of semiconductor material remains joined to the first handle substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2005Publication date: February 8, 2007Applicant: Silicon Genesis CorporationInventor: Francois Henley