Patents by Inventor Henry Povolny

Henry Povolny 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: 11101107
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10892179
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. A clamp electrode assembly is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. The clamp electrode assembly serves to clamp the substrate to the top surface of the ceramic layer and functions as a primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the clamp electrode assembly at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10879053
    Abstract: A baseplate for a temperature controlled substrate support assembly in a vacuum chamber includes a single cavity in an upper surface of the base plate. A cylindrical wall extends upward around an outer perimeter of the base plate to define the cavity. A cover plate arranged on the base plate above the cavity is in thermal contact with the cylindrical wall of the base plate. A plurality of thermoelectric modules is arranged within the cavity in the upper surface of the base plate in thermal contact with the cover plate and the base plate and is sealed from the vacuum chamber and maintained at atmospheric pressure. A plurality of fluid channels is arranged within the base plate below the cavity. A plurality of heat transfer pipes extends downward toward the fluid channels from an upper surface of the base plate within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Ricci, Henry Povolny
  • Publication number: 20200035455
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10475623
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10192767
    Abstract: A ceramic assembly is attached to a lower support structure having a bowl shape. The ceramic assembly has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic assembly. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic assembly at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic assembly between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic assembly. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the lower support structure to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20180358254
    Abstract: A ceramic assembly is attached to a lower support structure having a bowl shape. The ceramic assembly has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic assembly. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic assembly at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic assembly between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic assembly. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the lower support structure to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10079168
    Abstract: A ceramic assembly is attached to a lower support structure having a bowl shape. The ceramic assembly has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic assembly. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic assembly at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic assembly between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic assembly. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the lower support structure to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 10014161
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20180130690
    Abstract: A ceramic assembly is attached to a lower support structure having a bowl shape. The ceramic assembly has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic assembly. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic assembly at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic assembly between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic assembly. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the lower support structure to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20180130689
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. A clamp electrode assembly is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. The clamp electrode assembly serves to clamp the substrate to the top surface of the ceramic layer and functions as a primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the clamp electrode assembly at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20170287680
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Publication number: 20170263418
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9673025
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9652567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an RF transmission line model for an RF transmission system includes generating a baseline RF transmission line model characterizing the RF transmission system. A plasma RF voltage, RF current, RF power and/or a corresponding RF induced DC bias voltage is calculated from the baseline RF transmission line model. An end module including the electrostatic chuck, a plasma and an RF return path is added to the baseline RF transmission line model to create one or more revised RF transmission line models. A revised plasma RF voltage, a revised plasma RF current, a revised plasma RF power and/or a corresponding revised RF induced DC bias voltage is calculated from each of the revised baseline RF transmission line models. The revised RF transmission line models are scored to identify a best fitting revised RF transmission line model as a complete RF transmission line model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Valcore, Jr., Henry Povolny
  • Publication number: 20170110298
    Abstract: A baseplate for a temperature controlled substrate support assembly in a vacuum chamber includes a single cavity in an upper surface of the base plate. A cylindrical wall extends upward around an outer perimeter of the base plate to define the cavity. A cover plate arranged on the base plate above the cavity is in thermal contact with the cylindrical wall of the base plate. A plurality of thermoelectric modules is arranged within the cavity in the upper surface of the base plate in thermal contact with the cover plate and the base plate and is sealed from the vacuum chamber and maintained at atmospheric pressure. A plurality of fluid channels is arranged within the base plate below the cavity. A plurality of heat transfer pipes extends downward toward the fluid channels from an upper surface of the base plate within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony RICCI, Henry POVOLNY
  • Publication number: 20170032935
    Abstract: A ceramic layer is attached to a top surface of a base plate using a bond layer. The ceramic layer has a top surface configured to support a substrate. At least one clamp electrode is positioned within an upper region of the ceramic layer. A primary radiofrequency (RF) power delivery electrode is positioned within the ceramic layer at a location vertically below the at least one clamp electrode such that a region of the ceramic layer between the primary RF power delivery electrode and the at least one clamp electrode is substantially free of other electrically conductive material. A plurality of RF power delivery connection modules is distributed in a substantially uniform manner about a perimeter of the ceramic layer. Each of the RF power delivery connection modules is configured to form an electrical connection from the base plate to the primary RF power delivery electrode at its respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Neil Martin Paul Benjamin, Henry Povolny, Anthony J. Ricci
  • Patent number: 9508529
    Abstract: Plasma processing systems and methods including a plasma processing chamber and an RF transmission path. The plasma processing chamber including an electrostatic chuck. The RF transmission path including one or more RF generators, a match circuit coupled the RF generator and an RF feed coupling the match circuit to the electrostatic chuck. The system also includes an RF return path coupled between the plasma processing chamber and the RF generator. A plasma processing system controller is coupled to the plasma processing chamber and the RF transmission path. The controller includes recipe logic for at least one plasma processing recipe including multiple plasma processing settings and an RF power compensation logic for adjusting at least one of the plasma processing settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Valcore, Jr., Henry Povolny
  • Patent number: 9502221
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a voltage and current measured at an output of an RF generator of a first plasma system and calculating a first model etch rate based on the voltage and current, and a power. The method further includes receiving a voltage and current measured at an output of the RF generator of a second plasma system, determining a second model etch rate based on the voltage and current at the output of the RF generator of the second plasma system, and comparing the second model etch rate with the first model etch rate. The method includes adjusting a power at the output of the RF generator of the second plasma system to achieve the first model etch rate associated with the first plasma system upon determining that the second model etch rate does not match the first model etch rate. The method is executed by a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Valcore, Jr., Harmeet Singh, Henry Povolny
  • Publication number: 20160118227
    Abstract: Plasma processing systems and methods including a plasma processing chamber and an RF transmission path. The plasma processing chamber including an electrostatic chuck. The RF transmission path including one or more RF generators, a match circuit coupled the RF generator and an RF feed coupling the match circuit to the electrostatic chuck. The system also includes an RF return path coupled between the plasma processing chamber and the RF generator. A plasma processing system controller is coupled to the plasma processing chamber and the RF transmission path. The controller includes recipe logic for at least one plasma processing recipe including multiple plasma processing settings and an RF power compensation logic for adjusting at least one of the plasma processing settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Valcore, Jr., Henry Povolny