Patents by Inventor Frank Sinclair

Frank Sinclair 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: 20120280442
    Abstract: A media carrier, adapted to hold a plurality of pieces of magnetic media, is disclosed. This media carrier can be placed on the workpiece support, or platen, allowing the magnetic media to be processed. In some embodiments, the media carrier is designed such that only one side of the magnetic media is exposed, requiring a robot or other equipment to invert each piece of media in the carrier to process the second side. In other embodiments, the media carrier is designed such that both sides of the magnetic media are exposed. In this scenario, the media carrier is inverted on the platen to allow processing of the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Julian G. Blake, Edward D. MacIntosh, Alexander C. Kontos, Frank Sinclair, Christopher A. Rowland, Mayur Jagtap, Sankar Ganesh Kolappan
  • Publication number: 20120256614
    Abstract: A technique for limiting fault current transmission is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized with a fault current limiter comprising a core having at least first easy axis and a hard axis; and a first coil wound around the core, the first coil configured to carry current. In some embodiment, the easy axis of the core may be aligned with H fields generated by the current transmitted through the first coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Rajesh Dorai
  • Patent number: 8263941
    Abstract: A ribbon beam mass analyzer having a first and second solenoid coils and steel yoke arrangement. Each of the solenoid coils have a substantially “racetrack” configuration defining a space through which an ion ribbon beam travels. The solenoid coils are spaced apart along the direction of travel of the ribbon beam. Each of the solenoid coils generates a uniform magnetic field to accommodate mass resolution of wide ribbon beams to produce a desired image of ions generated from an ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Benveniste, James S. Buff, Frank Sinclair, Joseph C. Olson
  • Patent number: 8263944
    Abstract: In an ion implanter, an inert gas is directed at a cathode assembly near an ion source chamber via a supply tube. The inert gas is provided with a localized directional flow toward the cathode assembly to reduce unwanted concentrations of cleaning or dopant gases introduced into the ion source chamber, thereby reducing the effects of unwanted filament growth in the cathode assembly and extending the manufacturing life of the ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bon-Woong Koo, David J. Twiss, Chris Campbell, Frank Sinclair, Alexander S. Perel, Craig R. Chaney, Wilhelm P. Platow, Eric R. Cobb
  • Patent number: 8258489
    Abstract: An energy contamination detection apparatus includes a membrane and a charge collection plate disposed at a distance from the membrane. The membrane is configured to receive an ion beam and allow a portion of the ion beam having energy levels above a desired energy level to pass therethrough toward the charge collection plate and absorb or reflect portions of the ion beam having energy levels at or below the desired energy level. A voltage source is electrically coupled to the charge collection plate for providing a bias voltage to the charge collection plate. A detection circuit is coupled to the charge collection plate and is configured to detect energy contamination based on an amount of charge collected on the charge collection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8226903
    Abstract: A melt of a material is cooled and a sheet of the material is formed in the melt. This sheet is transported, cut into at least one segment, and cooled in a cooling chamber. The material may be Si, Si and Ge, Ga, or GaN. The cooling is configured to prevent stress or strain to the segment. In one instance, the cooling chamber has gas cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Kellerman, Frederick Carlson, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20120175342
    Abstract: A novel, technique: for manufacturing bit patterned media is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for manufacturing hit pattern media. The technique, which may be realized as a method comprising: forming a non-catalysis region on a first portion of a catalysis layer; forming a non-magnetic separator on the non-catalysis region; and forming a magnetic active region on it second portion of the catalysis layer adjacent to the first portion of the catalysis layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Julian G. Blake, Helen L. Maynard, Alexander C. Kontos
  • Publication number: 20120168622
    Abstract: An implantation system includes an ion extraction plate having a set of apertures configured to extract ions from an ion source to form a plurality of beamlets. A magnetic analyzer is configured to provide a magnetic field to deflect ions in the beamlets in a first direction that is generally perpendicular to a principle axis of the beamlets. A mass analysis plate includes a set of apertures wherein first ion species having a first mass/charge ratio are transmitted through the mass analysis plate and second ion species having a second mass/charge ratio are blocked by the mass analysis plate. A workpiece holder is configured to move with respect to the mass analysis plate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein a pattern of ions transmitted through the mass analysis plate forms a continuous ion beam current along the first direction at the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Victor M. Benveniste, Frank Sinclair, Svetlana Radovanov, Bon-Woong Koo
  • Publication number: 20120168637
    Abstract: A method of controlling deflection of a charged particle beam in an electrostatic lens includes establishing a symmetrical electrostatic lens configuration comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed at unadjusted positions that are symmetric with respect to the central ray trajectory with applied unadjusted voltages that create fields symmetric with respect to the central ray trajectory. A symmetric electric field is calculated corresponding to the set of unadjusted voltages. A plurality of lower electrodes is arranged at adjusted positions that are asymmetric with respect to the central ray trajectory. A set of adjusted voltages is obtained for the plurality of lower electrodes, wherein the set of adjusted voltages corresponds to a set of respective potentials of the symmetric electric field at respective adjusted asymmetric positions. The adjusted voltages are applied to the asymmetric lens configuration when the charged particle beam passes therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Svetlana Radovanov, Peter L. Kellerman, Frank Sinclair, Robert C. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 8188448
    Abstract: An ion source is provided that utilizes the same dopant gas supplied to the chamber to generate the desired process plasma to also provide temperature control of the chamber walls during high throughput operations. The ion source includes a chamber having a wall that defines an interior surface. A liner is disposed within the chamber and has at least one orifice to supply the dopant gas to an inside of the chamber. A gap is defined between at least a portion of the interior surface of the chamber wall and the liner. A first conduit is configured to supply dopant gas to the gap where the dopant gas has a flow rate within the gap. A second conduit is configured to remove the dopant gas from the gap, wherein the flow rate of the dopant gas within the gap acts as a heat transfer media to regulate the temperature of the interior of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Benveniste, Bon-Woong Koo, Shardul Patel, Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8183542
    Abstract: An ion source is provided that utilizes a cooling plate and a gap interface to control the temperature of an ion source chamber. The gap interface is defined between the cooling plate and a wall of the chamber. A coolant gas is supplied to the interface at a given pressure where the pressure determines thermal conductivity from the cooling plate to the chamber to control the temperature of the interior of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Varion Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Benveniste, Bon-Woong Koo, Shardul Patel, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20120088035
    Abstract: A system and method for maintain a desired degree of platen flatness is disclosed. A laser system is used to measure the flatness of a platen. The temperature of the platen is then varied to achieve the desired level of flatness. In some embodiments, this laser system is only used during a set up period and the resulting desired temperature is then used during normal operation. In other embodiments, a laser system is used to measure the flatness of the platen, even while the workpiece is being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Joseph C. Olson, Frank Sinclair, Matthew P. McClellan, Antonella Cucchetti
  • Patent number: 8153466
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a workpiece is disclosed. A material defining apertures is applied to a workpiece. A species is introduced to the workpiece through the apertures and the material is removed. For example, the material may be evaporated, may form a volatile product with a gas, or may dissolve when exposed to a solvent. The species may be introduced using, for example, ion implantation or gaseous diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell J. Low, Julian G. Blake, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20120068081
    Abstract: A beam line ion implanter includes an ion source configured to generate an ion beam, a scanner configured to scan the ion beam to produce a scanned ion beam having trajectories which diverge from a scan origin, and a focusing element having a focusing field positioned upstream of the scanner configured to focus the ion beam to a focal point at the scan origin. A method of ion beam tuning includes generating an ion beam, focusing the ion beam to a focal point positioned at a scan origin, and scanning the ion beam to produce a scanned ion beam having trajectories which diverge from the scan origin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCISTES, INC.
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Joseph C. Olson, Frank Sinclair, Matthew P. McClellan
  • Publication number: 20120064373
    Abstract: A technique for manufacturing hit pattern media is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for manufacturing bit pattern media. The method may comprise forming an intermediate layer comprising a modified region and a first region adjacent to one another, where the modified region and the first region may have at least one different property; depositing magnetic species on the first region of the intermediate layer to form an active region; and depositing non-ferromagnetic species on the modified region of the intermediate layer to form a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES,INC.
    Inventors: Frank SINCLAIR, Julian G. Blake
  • Publication number: 20120056107
    Abstract: An ion beam is generated and the energy of this ion beam is changed from a first energy to a second energy through, for example, acceleration or deceleration. A portion of the ion beam is blocked after the energy is changed and the ion beam is implanted into a workpiece. A plurality of blockers may be used to block the beam. Each blocker may be attached to a drive unit configured to translate one of the blockers in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel DISTASO, Joseph C. OLSON, Frank SINCLAIR
  • Patent number: 8129695
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling deflection, deceleration, and focus of an ion beam are disclosed. The apparatus may include a graded deflection/deceleration lens including a plurality of upper and lower electrodes disposed on opposite sides of an ion beam, as well as a control system for adjusting the voltages applied to the electrodes. The difference in potential between pairs of upper and lower electrodes are varied using a set of “virtual knobs” that are operable to independently control deflection and deceleration of the ion beam. The virtual knobs include control of beam focus and residual energy contamination, control of upstream electron suppression, control of beam deflection, and fine tuning of the final deflection angle of the beam while constraining the beam's position at the exit of the lens. In one embodiment, this is done by fine tuning beam deflection while constraining the beam position at the exit of the VEEF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Kellerman, Frank Sinclair, Victor Benveniste, Jun Lu
  • Publication number: 20120048496
    Abstract: A sheet of a material is disposed in a melt of the material. The sheet is formed using a cooling plate in one instance. An exciting coil and sensing coil are positioned downstream of the cooling plate. The exciting coil and sensing coil use eddy currents to determine a thickness of the solid sheet on top of the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Gary J. ROSEN, Frank SINCLAIR, Alexander SOSKOV, James S. BUFF
  • Patent number: 8110815
    Abstract: Providing vapor to a vapor-receiving device housed in a high vacuum chamber. An ion beam implanter, as an example, has a removable high voltage ion source within a high vacuum chamber and a vapor delivery system that delivers vapor to the ion source and does not interfere with removal of the ion source for maintenance. For delivering vapor to a vapor-receiving device, such as the high voltage ion source under vacuum, a flow interface device is in the form of a thermally conductive valve block. A delivery extension of the interface device automatically connects and disconnects within the high vacuum chamber with the removable vapor receiving device by respective installation and removal motions. In an ion implanter, the flow interface device or valve block and source of reactive cleaning gas are mounted in a non-interfering way on the electrically insulating bushing that insulates the ion source from the vacuum housing and the ion source may be removed without disturbing the flow interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Semequip, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Douglas R. Adams, Brent M. Copertino
  • Patent number: 8064071
    Abstract: A sheet measurement apparatus has a sheet disposed in a melt. The measurement system uses a beam to determine a dimension of the sheet. This dimension may be, for example, height or width. The beam may be, for example, collimated light, a laser, x-rays, or gamma rays. The production of the sheet may be altered based on the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Rowland, Peter L. Kellerman, Frank Sinclair, Julian G. Blake, Nicholas P. T. Bateman