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: 20210066017
    Abstract: An IHC ion source that employs a negatively biased cathode and one or more side electrodes is disclosed. The one or more side electrodes are left electrically unconnected in certain embodiments and are grounded in other embodiments. The floating side electrodes may be beneficial in the formation of certain species. In certain embodiments, a relay is used to allow the side electrodes to be easily switched between these two modes. By changing the configuration of the side electrodes, beam current can be optimized for different species. For example, certain species, such as arsenic, may be optimized when the side electrodes are at the same voltage as the chamber. Other species, such as boron, may be optimized when the side electrodes are left floating relative to the chamber. In certain embodiments, a controller is in communication with the relay so as to control which mode is used, based on the desired feed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Frank Sinclair, Michael St. Peter
  • Publication number: 20210066019
    Abstract: An IHC ion source that employs a negatively biased cathode and one or more side electrodes is disclosed. The one or more side electrodes are biased using an electrode power supply, which supplies a voltage of between 0 and ?50 volts, relative to the chamber. By adjusting the output from the electrode power supply, beam current can be optimized for different species. For example, certain species, such as arsenic, may be optimized when the side electrodes are at the same voltage as the chamber. Other species, such as boron, may be optimized when the side electrodes are at a negative voltage relative to the chamber. In certain embodiments, a controller is in communication with the electrode power supply so as to control the output of the electrode power supply, based on the desired feed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Frank Sinclair, Michael St. Peter
  • Patent number: 10937624
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a main chamber, an entrance tunnel, the entrance tunnel having an entrance axis extending into the main chamber; an exit tunnel, connected to the main chamber and defining an exit axis, wherein the entrance tunnel and the exit tunnel define a beam bend of less than 25 degrees therebetween, and an electrode assembly, disposed in the main chamber, and defining a beam path between the entrance tunnel and the exit tunnel. The electrode assembly may include an upper electrode, disposed on a first side of the beam path, and a plurality of lower electrodes, disposed on a second side of the beam path, the plurality of lower electrodes comprising at least three electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Frank Sinclair, Shengwu Chang
  • Publication number: 20210035779
    Abstract: An ion beam processing apparatus may include a plasma chamber, and a plasma plate, disposed alongside the plasma chamber, where the plasma plate defines a first extraction aperture. The apparatus may include a beam blocker, disposed within the plasma chamber and facing the extraction aperture. The apparatus may further include a non-planar electrode, disposed adjacent the beam blocker and outside of the plasma chamber; and an extraction plate, disposed outside the plasma plate, and defining a second extraction aperture, aligned with the first extraction aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Appu Naveen Thomas, Tyler Rockwell, Frank Sinclair, Christopher Campbell
  • Publication number: 20210020399
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for increasing operational range of an electrostatic lens. An electrostatic lens of an ion implantation system may receive an ion beam from an ion source, the electrostatic lens including a first plurality of conductive beam optics disposed along one side of an ion beam line and a second plurality of conductive beam optics disposed along a second side of the ion beam line. The ion implantation system may further include a power supply in communication with the electrostatic lens, the power supply operable to supply a voltage and a current to at least one of the first and second plurality of conductive beam optics, wherein the voltage and the current deflects the ion beam at a beam deflection angle, and wherein the ion beam is accelerated and then decelerated within the electrostatic lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Shengwu Chang, Frank Sinclair, Antonella Cucchetti, Eric D Hermanson, Christopher Campbell
  • Patent number: 10886098
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a main chamber, an entrance tunnel, having an entrance axis extending into the main chamber, and an exit tunnel, connected to the main chamber and defining an exit axis, wherein the entrance tunnel and the exit tunnel define a beam bend of less than 25 degrees therebetween. The apparatus may include an electrode assembly, disposed in the main chamber, on a lower side of the exit tunnel; and a catch assembly, disposed within the main chamber, in a line of sight from an exterior aperture of the exit tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Frank Sinclair, Shengwu Chang, Eric D. Hermanson, Nevin H. Clay
  • Patent number: 10867773
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a first grounded drift tube, arranged to accept a continuous ion beam, at least two AC drift tubes, arranged in series, downstream to the first grounded drift tube, and a second grounded drift tube, downstream to the at least two AC drift tubes. The apparatus may include an AC voltage assembly, electrically coupled to at least two AC drift tubes. The AC voltage assembly may include a first AC voltage source, coupled to deliver a first AC voltage signal at a first frequency to a first AC drift tube of at least two AC drift tubes. The AC voltage assembly may further include a second AC voltage source, coupled to deliver a second AC voltage signal at a second frequency to a second AC drift tube of the at least two AC drift tubes, wherein the second frequency comprises an integral multiple of the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 10866503
    Abstract: A substrate assembly may include a substrate base; and a low emission implantation mask, disposed on the substrate base. The low emission implantation mask may include a carbon-containing material, the carbon-containing material comprising an isotopically purified carbon, formed from a 12C carbon isotope precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Julian G. Blake
  • Publication number: 20200357603
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, including an ion source, and a buncher to receive a continuous ion beam from the ion source, and output a bunched ion beam. The buncher may include a drift tube assembly, having an alternating sequence of grounded drift tubes and AC drift tubes. The drift tube assembly may include a first grounded drift tube, arranged to accept a continuous ion beam, at least two AC drift tubes downstream to the first grounded drift tube, a second grounded drift tube, downstream to the at least two AC drift tubes. The ion implantation system may include an AC voltage assembly, coupled to the at least two AC drift tubes, and comprising at least two AC voltage sources, separately coupled to the at least two AC drift tubes. The ion implantation system may include a linear accelerator, comprising a plurality of acceleration stages, disposed downstream of the buncher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20200343071
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for increasing efficiency of ion sources. In some embodiments, an apparatus, such as an ion source, may include a chamber housing having a first end wall and a second end wall, and an extraction plate coupled to at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall. The extraction plate may include an extraction aperture. The apparatus may further include a tubular cathode extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Svetlana Radovanov, Frank Sinclair, You Chia Li, Peter Ewing, Ajdin Sarajlic, Christopher A. Rowland, Nunzio Carbone
  • Patent number: 10811214
    Abstract: An ion implanter. The ion implanter may include a beamline, the beamline defining an inner wall, surrounding a cavity, the cavity arranged to conduct an ion beam. The ion implanter may also include a low emission insert, disposed on the inner wall, and further comprising a 12C layer, the 12C layer having an outer surface, facing the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian G. Blake, Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 10804068
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a main chamber; an entrance tunnel having a propagation axis extending into the main chamber along a first direction; an exit tunnel, connected to the main chamber and defining an exit direction. The entrance tunnel and the exit tunnel may define a beam bend of at least 30 degrees therebetween. The apparatus may include an electrode assembly, disposed in the main chamber, and defining a beam path between the entrance tunnel and the exit aperture, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a lower electrode, disposed on a first side of the beam path, and a plurality of electrodes, disposed on a second side of the beam path, the plurality of electrodes comprising at least five electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Frank Sinclair, Shengwu Chang
  • Patent number: 10790116
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a main chamber, the main chamber comprising a plurality of electrodes; an entrance tunnel, the entrance tunnel having an entrance axis extending into the main chamber along a first direction; and an exit tunnel, connected to the main chamber and defining an exit axis, wherein the entrance axis and the exit axis define a beam bend of at least 30 degrees therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Frank Sinclair, Shengwu Chang
  • Publication number: 20200294755
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a housing including an entrance aperture, to receive an ion beam. The apparatus may include an exit aperture, disposed in the housing, downstream to the entrance aperture, the entrance aperture and the exit aperture defining a beam axis, extending therebetween. The apparatus may include an electrodynamic mass analysis assembly disposed in the housing and comprising an upper electrode assembly, disposed above the beam axis, and a lower electrode assembly, disposed below the beam axis. The apparatus may include an AC voltage assembly, electrically coupled to the upper electrode assembly and the lower electrode assembly, wherein the upper electrode assembly is arranged to receive an AC signal from the AC voltage assembly at a first phase angle, and wherein the lower electrode assembly is arranged to receive the AC signal at a second phase angle, the second phase angle 180 degrees shifted from the first phase angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Costel Biloiu, Joseph C. Olson, Alexandre Likhanskii
  • Publication number: 20200294765
    Abstract: An ion source having dual indirectly heated cathodes is disclosed. Each of the cathodes may be independently biased relative to its respective filament so as to vary the profile of the beam current that is extracted from the ion source. In certain embodiments, the ion source is used in conjunction with an ion implanter. The ion implanter comprises a beam profiler to measure the current of the ribbon ion beam as a function of beam position. A controller uses this information to independently control the bias voltages of the two indirectly heated cathodes so as to vary the uniformity of the ribbon ion beam. In certain embodiments, the current passing through each filament may also be independently controlled by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Jun Lu, Frank Sinclair, Eric D. Hermanson, Joseph E. Pierro, Michael D. Johnson, Michael S. DeLucia, Antonella Cucchetti
  • Patent number: 10763071
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an ion source, arranged to generate an ion beam at a first ion energy. The apparatus may further include a DC accelerator column, disposed downstream of the ion source, and arranged to accelerate the ion beam to a second ion energy, the second ion energy being greater than the first ion energy. The apparatus may include a linear accelerator, disposed downstream of the DC accelerator column, the linear accelerator arranged to accelerate the ion beam to a third ion energy, greater than the second ion energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 10763072
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a housing including an entrance aperture, to receive an ion beam. The apparatus may include an exit aperture, disposed in the housing, downstream to the entrance aperture, the entrance aperture and the exit aperture defining a beam axis, extending therebetween. The apparatus may include an electrodynamic mass analysis assembly disposed in the housing and comprising an upper electrode assembly, disposed above the beam axis, and a lower electrode assembly, disposed below the beam axis. The apparatus may include an AC voltage assembly, electrically coupled to the upper electrode assembly and the lower electrode assembly, wherein the upper electrode assembly is arranged to receive an AC signal from the AC voltage assembly at a first phase angle, and wherein the lower electrode assembly is arranged to receive the AC signal at a second phase angle, the second phase angle 180 degrees shifted from the first phase angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Costel Biloiu, Joseph C. Olson, Alexandre Likhanskii
  • Patent number: 10748738
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for increasing efficiency of ion sources. In some embodiments, an apparatus, such as an ion source, may include a chamber housing having a first end wall and a second end wall, and an extraction plate coupled to at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall. The extraction plate may include an extraction aperture. The apparatus may further include a tubular cathode extending between the first end wall and the second end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Svetlana Radovanov, Frank Sinclair, You Chia Li, Peter Ewing, Ajdin Sarajlic, Christopher A. Rowland, Nunzio Carbone
  • Patent number: 10741361
    Abstract: An ion source having dual indirectly heated cathodes is disclosed. Each of the cathodes may be independently biased relative to its respective filament so as to vary the profile of the beam current that is extracted from the ion source. In certain embodiments, the ion source is used in conjunction with an ion implanter. The ion implanter comprises a beam profiler to measure the current of the ribbon ion beam as a function of beam position. A controller uses this information to independently control the bias voltages of the two indirectly heated cathodes so as to vary the uniformity of the ribbon ion beam. In certain embodiments, the current passing through each filament may also be independently controlled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Jun Lu, Frank Sinclair, Eric D. Hermanson, Joseph E. Pierro, Michael D. Johnson, Michael S. DeLucia, Antonella Cucchetti
  • Publication number: 20200234910
    Abstract: An ion implanter. The ion implanter may include a beamline, the beamline defining an inner wall, surrounding a cavity, the cavity arranged to conduct an ion beam. The ion implanter may also include a low emission insert, disposed on the inner wall, and further comprising a 12C layer, the 12C layer having an outer surface, facing the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian G. Blake, Frank Sinclair