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: 20220148843
    Abstract: An extraction plate for an ion beam system. The extraction plate may include an insulator body that includes a peripheral portion, to connect to a first side of a plasma chamber, and further includes a central portion, defining a concave shape. As such, an extraction aperture may be arranged along a first surface of the central portion, where the first surface is oriented at a high angle with respect to the first side. The extraction plate may further include a patterned electrode, comprising a first portion and a second portion, affixed to an outer side of the insulator body, facing away from the plasma chamber, wherein the first portion is separated from the second portion by an insulating gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Jay R. Wallace, Kevin M. Daniels, Frank Sinclair, Christopher Campbell
  • Publication number: 20220139691
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for performing electrodynamic mass analysis with a radio frequency (RF) biased ion source to reduce ion beam energy spread. In some embodiments, a system may include an ion source including a power supply, the ion source operable to generate a plasma within a chamber housing, and an extraction power assembly including a first power supply and a second power supply electrically coupled with the chamber housing of the ion source, wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are operable to bias the chamber housing of the ion source with a time modulated voltage to extract an ion beam from the ion source. The system may further include an electrodynamic mass analysis (EDMA) assembly operable to receive the ion beam and perform mass analysis on the ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Joseph C. Olson, Frank Sinclair, Peter F. Kurunczi
  • Patent number: 11295931
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20220087004
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method. An apparatus may include an RF power assembly, arranged to output an RF signal; a resonator, coupled to receive the RF signal, the resonator comprising a first output end and a second output end, and a drift tube assembly, configured to transmit an ion beam, and coupled to the resonator. As such, the drift tube assembly may include a first AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the first output end, and a second AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the second output end and separated from the first AC drift tube by a first gap. The RF power assembly may be switchable to switch output from a first Eigenmode frequency to a second Eigenmode frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, David T. Blahnik, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20220037116
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, including an ion source and extraction system, arranged to generate an ion beam at a first energy, and a linear accelerator, disposed downstream of the ion source, the linear accelerator arranged to receive the ion beam as a bunched ion beam accelerate the ion beam to a second energy, greater than the first energy. The linear accelerator may include a plurality of acceleration stages, wherein a given acceleration stage of the plurality of acceleration stages comprises: a drift tube assembly, arranged to conduct the ion beam; a resonator, electrically coupled to the drift tube assembly; and an RF power assembly, coupled to the resonator, and arranged to output an RF signal to the resonator. As such, the given acceleration stage does not include a quadrupole element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Sinclair
  • Patent number: 11232925
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Frank Sinclair, Michael St. Peter
  • Publication number: 20210391155
    Abstract: A processing system may include a plasma chamber operable to generate a plasma, and an extraction assembly, arranged along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction assembly may include an extraction plate including an extraction aperture, the extraction plate having a non-planar shape, and generating an extracted ion beam at a high angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of a substrate, when the plane of the substrate is arranged parallel to the side of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Campbell, Costel Biloiu, Peter F. Kurunczi, Jay R. Wallace, Kevin M. Daniels, Kevin T. Ryan, Minab B. Teferi, Frank Sinclair, Joseph C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210383995
    Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having an opening formed in a front half thereof nearest the extraction aperture, wherein a rear half of the tubular cathode furthest from the extraction aperture is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Frank Sinclair, Alexandre Likhanskii, Svetlana Radovanov, Alexander Perel, Graham Wright, Jay T. Scheuer, Daniel Tieger, You Chia Li, Jay Johnson, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Ronald Johnson
  • Patent number: 11189460
    Abstract: An apparatus may include an RF power assembly, arranged to output an RF signal, and a drift tube assembly, arranged to transmit an ion beam, and coupled to the RF power assembly. The drift tube assembly may include a first ground electrode; an AC drift tube assembly, disposed downstream of the first ground electrode; and a second ground electrode, disposed downstream of the AC drift tube assembly, where the AC drift tube assembly comprises at least one variable length AC drift tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Carlson, Paul J. Murphy, Frank Sinclair, William Davis Lee
  • Publication number: 20210343500
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a resonator for an ion implanter. In some embodiments, a resonator may include a housing, and a first coil and a second coil partially disposed within the housing. Each of the first and second coils may include a first end including an opening for receiving an ion beam, and a central section extending helically about a central axis, wherein the central axis is parallel to a beamline of the ion beam, and wherein an inner side of the central section has a flattened surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Michael Honan, Robert B. Vopat, David Blahnik, Charles T. Carlson, Frank Sinclair, Paul Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210305011
    Abstract: A system and method that is capable of measuring the incident angle of an ion beam, especially an ion beam comprising heavier ions, is disclosed. In one embodiment, X-rays, rather than ions, are used to determine the channeling direction. In another embodiment, the workpiece is constructed, at least in part, of a material having a high molecular weight such that heaver ion beams can be measured. Further, in another embodiment, the parameters of the ion beam are measured across an entirety of the beam, allowing components of the ion implantation system to be further tuned to create a more uniform beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Jonathan Gerald England, Joseph C. Olson
  • Patent number: 11127557
    Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having a slot formed in a front-facing semi-cylindrical portion thereof disposed in a confronting relationship with the extraction aperture, wherein a rear-facing semi-cylindrical portion of the tubular cathode directed away from the extraction aperture is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Frank Sinclair, Alexandre Likhanskii, Svetlana Radovanov, Alexander Perel, Graham Wright, Jay T. Scheuer, Daniel Tieger, You Chia Li, Jay Johnson, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Ronald Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210287872
    Abstract: An ion source including a chamber housing defining an ion source chamber and including an extraction plate on a front side thereof, the extraction plate having an extraction aperture formed therein, and a tubular cathode disposed within the ion source chamber and having a slot formed in a front-facing semi-cylindrical portion thereof disposed in a confronting relationship with the extraction aperture, wherein a rear-facing semi-cylindrical portion of the tubular cathode directed away from the extraction aperture is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Frank Sinclair, Alexandre Likhanskii, Svetlana Radovanov, Alexander Perel, Graham Wright, Jay T. Scheuer, Daniel Tieger, You Chia Li, Jay Johnson, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Ronald Johnson
  • Patent number: 11120966
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shengwu Chang, Frank Sinclair, Michael St. Peter
  • Patent number: 11114277
    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: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    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
  • Patent number: 11094504
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a resonator for an ion implanter. In some embodiments, a resonator may include a housing, and a first coil and a second coil partially disposed within the housing. Each of the first and second coils may include a first end including an opening for receiving an ion beam, and a central section extending helically about a central axis, wherein the central axis is parallel to a beamline of the ion beam, and wherein an inner side of the central section has a flattened surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Michael Honan, Robert B Vopat, David Blahnik, Charles T. Carlson, Frank Sinclair, Paul Murphy
  • Publication number: 20210210307
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a resonator for an ion implanter. In some embodiments, a resonator may include a housing, and a first coil and a second coil partially disposed within the housing. Each of the first and second coils may include a first end including an opening for receiving an ion beam, and a central section extending helically about a central axis, wherein the central axis is parallel to a beamline of the ion beam, and wherein an inner side of the central section has a flattened surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Michael Honan, Robert B. Vopat, David Blahnik, Charles T. Carlson, Frank Sinclair, Paul Murphy
  • Patent number: 11056319
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Costel Biloiu, Appu Naveen Thomas, Tyler Rockwell, Frank Sinclair, Christopher Campbell
  • Patent number: 11049691
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a ribbon ion beam in a beam line implantation system is disclosed. The system includes a mass resolving apparatus having a resolving aperture, in which the resolving aperture may be moved in the X and Z directions. Additionally, a controller is able to manipulate the mass analyzer and quadrupole lenses so that the crossover point of desired ions can also be moved in the X and Z directions. By manipulating the crossover point and the resolving aperture, the parameters of the ribbon ion beam may be manipulated to achieve a desired result. Movement of the crossover point in the X direction may affect the mean horizontal angle of the beamlets, while movement of the crossover point in the Z direction may affect the horizontal angular spread and beam current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Robert C. Lindberg, Eric D. Hermanson, Frank Sinclair, Antonella Cucchetti, Randy Martin, Michael D. Johnson, Ana Samolov, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Publication number: 20210183609
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for decreasing particle generation in an electrostatic lens. In some embodiments, an ion implantation system may include an electrostatic lens including an entrance for receiving an ion beam and an exit for delivering the ion beam towards a target, the electrostatic lens including a first terminal electrode, a first suppression electrode, and a first ground electrode disposed along a first side of an ion beamline, wherein the first ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The electrostatic lens may further include a second terminal electrode, a second suppression electrode, and a second ground electrode disposed along a second side of the ion beamline, wherein the second ground electrode is grounded and positioned adjacent the exit. The implantation system may further include a power supply operable to supply a voltage and a current to the electrostatic lens for controlling the ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Antonella Cucchetti, Eric D. Hermanson, Frank Sinclair, Jay T. Scheuer, Robert C. Lindberg