Patents by Inventor Greg A. Blackburn

Greg A. Blackburn 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).

  • Patent number: 10770321
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, system, and computer program product for monitoring a service life of a chamber component. In one example, the method includes receiving one or more power measurements of a semiconductor processing chamber from one or more sensors positioned about the semiconductor processing chamber. The processor compares the one or more power measurements to one or more threshold values corresponding to the service life of the chamber component. The processor determines whether the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values. If the processor determines that the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values, the processor takes remedial measures for the service life of the chamber component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang-Lie Chiang, Greg A. Blackburn, Pallavi Zhang, Michael D. Armacost, Nitin Khurana
  • Publication number: 20190148194
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, system, and computer program product for monitoring a service life of a chamber component. In one example, the method includes receiving one or more power measurements of a semiconductor processing chamber from one or more sensors positioned about the semiconductor processing chamber. The processor compares the one or more power measurements to one or more threshold values corresponding to the service life of the chamber component. The processor determines whether the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values. If the processor determines that the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values, the processor takes remedial measures for the service life of the chamber component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Kang-Lie CHIANG, Greg A. BLACKBURN, Pallavi ZHANG, Michael D. ARMACOST, Nitin KHURANA
  • Patent number: 10177018
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, system, and computer program product for monitoring a service life of a chamber component. In one example, the method includes receiving one or more power measurements of a semiconductor processing chamber from one or more sensors positioned about the semiconductor processing chamber. The processor compares the one or more power measurements to one or more threshold values corresponding to the service life of the chamber component. The processor determines whether the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values. If the processor determines that the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values, the processor takes remedial measures for the service life of the chamber component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang-Lie Chiang, Greg A. Blackburn, Pallavi Zhang, Michael D. Armacost, Nitin Khurana
  • Publication number: 20180047599
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, system, and computer program product for monitoring a service life of a chamber component. In one example, the method includes receiving one or more power measurements of a semiconductor processing chamber from one or more sensors positioned about the semiconductor processing chamber. The processor compares the one or more power measurements to one or more threshold values corresponding to the service life of the chamber component. The processor determines whether the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values. If the processor determines that the one or more power measurements exceed the threshold values, the processor takes remedial measures for the service life of the chamber component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Kang-Lie CHIANG, Greg A. BLACKBURN, Pallavi ZHANG, Michael D. ARMACOST, Nitin KHURANA
  • Patent number: 5716484
    Abstract: A plasma etch chamber includes a modified focus ring which is used in conjunction with chamber pressure throttling to eject contaminants in the focus ring away from the substrate just before the etching cycle is completed. Additionally, process gas is directed against the inner wall of the chamber to create a swirling flow of plasma within the chamber and thus disturb any contaminant-generating field adjacent the chamber wall. A process gas, or a non-reactive purge gas, may also be supplied from a diffuser atop the cathode, to direct a gas layer along the top and sides of the chamber to reduce contaminant build-up on the chamber surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Blackburn, Joseph Kava, Richard McGovern, Yan Rozenzon
  • Patent number: 5693179
    Abstract: A plasma etch chamber includes a modified focus ring which is used in conjunction with chamber pressure throttling to eject contaminants in the focus ring away from the substrate just before the etching cycle is completed. Additionally, process gas is directed against the inner wall of the chamber to create a swirling flow of plasma within the chamber and thus disturb any contaminant-generating field adjacent the chamber wall. A process gas, or a non-reactive purge gas, may also be supplied from a diffuser atop the cathode, to direct a gas layer along the top and sides of the chamber to reduce contaminant build-up on the chamber surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Blackburn, Joseph Kava, Richard McGovern, Yan Rozenzon
  • Patent number: 5484486
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel assembly of replaceable parts for use in a substrate processing apparatus. Covers for the substrate processing surface are attached in a plurality of pieces as opposed to a solid piece, for removeability without removing the wafer support pedestals. A ring for surrounding the pedestal includes a fastener enabling the ring to snap in place onto the pedestal. A focus ring for surrounding the pedestal ring attaches to the pedestal ring via a snug fit into a built-in grooved series of notches in the pedestal ring. A novel fastener that enables two articles to snap together is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Blackburn, Donald L. Johnson, Richard McGovern, Yan Rozenzon
  • Patent number: 5480052
    Abstract: A domed dielectric extension is set atop a standard electrode in a bell jar shaped process chamber to decrease electrical interaction between the electrode and the process chamber and thereby decrease the stagnant plasma in the region between the electrode and the process chamber lid that promotes polymer deposition upon the inner surface of a process chamber lid. The extension, made of a process inert dielectric material such as polycarbonate, has an upper surface that is curved to conform to the shape of the inner surface of the process chamber lid and that is precisely spaced from the upper portion of the process chamber lid inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Furr, Joseph Kava, Greg Blackburn, Richard McGovern
  • Patent number: 5474649
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a focus ring for surrounding a workpiece/surface substrate during plasma processing comprising a hollow annular assembly comprised of electrically insulating material and having a texturized surface. The texturized ring is preferably in the geometry of a generally cylindrical structure. The texturizing of the ring can be effected by any means of surface abrasion including bead blasting or chemical etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Kava, Richard J. McGovern, Greg A. Blackburn