Patents by Inventor Hiromi Asakura

Hiromi Asakura 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: 11398372
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus that performs plasma processing to a substrate held on a transport carrier including a frame and a holding sheet that covers an opening of the frame includes: a transport mechanism that transports the transport carrier; a position measuring section that measures a position of the substrate to the frame; a plasma processing section that includes a plasma processing stage on which the transport carrier is loaded and a cover that covers the frame and a part of the holding sheet loaded on the plasma processing stage, and has a window section for exposing a part of the substrate; and a control section that controls the transport mechanism such that the transport carrier is loaded on the plasma processing stage to satisfy a positional relationship between the window section and the substrate based on the position information of the substrate to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Noriyuki Matsubara, Mitsuru Hiroshima, Toshihiro Wada
  • Publication number: 20160064188
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus that performs plasma processing to a substrate held on a transport carrier including a frame and a holding sheet that covers an opening of the frame includes: a transport mechanism that transports the transport carrier; a position measuring section that measures a position of the substrate to the frame; a plasma processing section that includes a plasma processing stage on which the transport carrier is loaded and a cover that covers the frame and a part of the holding sheet loaded on the plasma processing stage, and has a window section for exposing a part of the substrate; and a control section that controls the transport mechanism such that the transport carrier is loaded on the plasma processing stage to satisfy a positional relationship between the window section and the substrate based on the position information of the substrate to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Shogo OKITA, Hiromi ASAKURA, Syouzou WATANABE, Noriyuki MATSUBARA, Mitsuru HIROSHIMA, Toshihiro WADA
  • Patent number: 8906249
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a beam-shaped spacer 7 which is placed at an upper opening of a chamber 3 opposed to a substrate 2 to support a dielectric plate 8. The dielectric plate 8 is supported by the beam-shaped spacer 7. In the beam-shaped spacer 7 are provided a plurality of process gas introducing ports 31, 36 which have a depression angle ?d and which are provided downward and directed toward the substrate 2, as well as a plurality of rare gas introducing ports 41 having a elevation angle ?e directed toward the dielectric plate 8. Improvement of processing rates such as etching rate as well as effective suppression of wear of the dielectric plate 8 can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Hiroshima, Hiromi Asakura
  • Patent number: 8673166
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, thrust-up pins are elevated and a thrust-up force is detected when electrostatic attraction for a substrate by a substrate holding device is ceased after completion of plasma processing, the elevation of the thrust-up pins is ceased upon detection of a detection threshold, and a stepped elevating operation in which the elevation and stoppage of the thrust-up pins are repeated a plurality of times are thereafter commenced on condition that the detected thrust-up force falls to or below the detection threshold and that release of the substrate from a placement surface has not been completed. In the stepped elevating operation, operation timing of the thrust-up device is controlled so that the completion of the release of the substrate from the placement surface is detected when the thrust-up pins are stopped after being elevated and so that the stepped elevating operation is continued on condition that the release has not been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Toshihiro Wada, Mitsuhiro Okune, Mitsuru Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20140048527
    Abstract: A tray for a dry etching apparatus includes substrate accommodation holes penetrating a thickness direction and a substrate support portion supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of a substrate. An upper portion includes a tray support surface supporting a lower surface of the tray, substrate placement portions on each of which a lower surface of the substrate to be placed, and a concave portion for accommodating the substrate support portion. A dc voltage applying mechanism applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate and substrate placement portion. During carrying of the substrate, the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the substrate is supported by the substrate accommodation hole. During processing of the substrate, the substrate support portion is accommodated in the concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo OKITA, Hiromi ASAKURA, Syouzou WATANABE, Ryuzou HOUCHIN, Hiroyuki SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8591754
    Abstract: A tray for a dry etching apparatus includes substrate accommodation holes penetrating a thickness direction and a substrate support portion supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of a substrate. An upper portion includes a tray support surface supporting a lower surface of the tray, substrate placement portions on each of which a lower surface of the substrate to be placed, and a concave portion for accommodating the substrate support portion. A dc voltage applying mechanism applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate and substrate placement portion. During carrying of the substrate, the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the substrate is supported by the substrate accommodation hole. During processing of the substrate, the substrate support portion is accommodated in the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Ryuzou Houchin, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120256363
    Abstract: A tray for a dry etching apparatus includes substrate accommodation holes penetrating a thickness direction and a substrate support portion supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of a substrate. An upper portion includes a tray support surface supporting a lower surface of the tray, substrate placement portions on each of which a lower surface of the substrate to be placed, and a concave portion for accommodating the substrate support portion. A dc voltage applying mechanism applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate and substrate placement portion. During carrying of the substrate, the outer peripheral edge of the lower surface of the substrate is supported by the substrate accommodation hole. During processing of the substrate, the substrate support portion is accommodated in the concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Shogo OKITA, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Ryuzou Houchin, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8231798
    Abstract: A tray for a dry etching apparatus includes substrate accommodation holes penetrating a thickness direction and a substrate support portion supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface of a substrate. A dielectric plate includes a tray support surface supporting a lower surface of the tray, substrate placement portions inserted from a lower surface side of the tray into the substrate accommodation holes and having a substrate placement surface at its upper end surface. A dc voltage applying mechanism applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate and substrate placement surface. The substrate is retained on the substrate placement surface with high degree of adhesion. Cooling efficiency of the substrate is improved and processing is uniform at the entire region of the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Ryuzou Houchin, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120006489
    Abstract: Substrates are contained in substrate containing holes which penetrate a tray in the thickness direction. A dielectric plate in a chamber is provided with a tray supporting surface which supports the lower surface of the tray and substrate placing sections which protrude upward, and has an electrostatic chuck electrode therein. The substrate supporting section which supports the substrate contained in the substrate containing holes is provided with a plurality of protruding sections formed at intervals in the circumferential direction of the substrate containing holes. The substrates are supported in point-contact mode by means of the protruding sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura
  • Publication number: 20110111601
    Abstract: In a plasma processing apparatus, thrust-up pins are elevated and a thrust-up force is detected when electrostatic attraction for a substrate by a substrate holding device is ceased after completion of plasma processing, the elevation of the thrust-up pins is ceased upon detection of a detection threshold, and a stepped elevating operation in which the elevation and stoppage of the thrust-up pins are repeated a plurality of times are thereafter commenced on condition that the detected thrust-up force falls to or below the detection threshold and that release of the substrate from a placement surface has not been completed. In the stepped elevating operation, operation timing of the thrust-up device is controlled so that the completion of the release of the substrate from the placement surface is detected when the thrust-up pins are stopped after being elevated and so that the stepped elevating operation is continued on condition that the release has not been completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Toshihiro Wada, Mitsuhiro Okune, Mitsuru Hiroshima
  • Patent number: 7736528
    Abstract: A tray 15 for a dry etching apparatus 1 has substrate accommodation holes 19A to 19D penetrating thickness direction and a substrate support portion 21 supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface 2a of a substrate 2. A dielectric plate 23 has a tray support surface 28 supporting a lower surface of the tray 15, substrate placement portions 29A through 29D inserted from a lower surface side of the tray 15 into the substrate accommodation holes 19A through 19D and having a substrate placement surface 31 at its upper end surface for placing the substrate 2. A dc voltage applying mechanism 43 applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode 40. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism 45 supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate 2 and substrate placement surface 31. The substrate 2 can be retained on the substrate placement surface 31 with high degree of adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Ryuzou Houchin, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100089870
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a beam-shaped spacer 7 which is placed at an upper opening of a chamber 3 opposed to a substrate 2 to support a dielectric plate 8. The dielectric plate 8 is supported by the beam-shaped spacer 7. In the beam-shaped spacer 7 are provided a plurality of process gas introducing ports 31, 36 which have a depression angle ?d and which are provided downward and directed toward the substrate 2, as well as a plurality of rare gas introducing ports 41 having a elevation angle ?e directed toward the dielectric plate 8. Improvement of processing rates such as etching rate as well as effective suppression of wear of the dielectric plate 8 can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Mitsuru Hiroshima, Hiromi Asakura
  • Publication number: 20100051584
    Abstract: A tray 15 for a dry etching apparatus 1 has substrate accommodation holes 19A to 19D penetrating thickness direction and a substrate support portion 21 supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface 2a of a substrate 2. A dielectric plate 23 has a tray support surface 28 supporting a lower surface of the tray 15, substrate placement portions 29A through 29D inserted from a lower surface side of the tray 15 into the substrate accommodation holes 19A through 19D and having a substrate placement surface 31 at its upper end surface for placing the substrate 2. A dc voltage applying mechanism 43 applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode 40. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism 45 supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate 2 and substrate placement surface 31. The substrate 2 can be retained on the substrate placement surface 31 with high degree of adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Shogo OKITA, Hiromi ASAKURA, Syouzou WATANABE, Ryuzou HOUCHIN, Hiroyuki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20090255901
    Abstract: A tray 15 for a dry etching apparatus 1 has substrate accommodation holes 19A to 19D penetrating thickness direction and a substrate support portion 21 supporting an outer peripheral edge portion of a lower surface 2a of a substrate 2. A dielectric plate 23 has a tray support surface 28 supporting a lower surface of the tray 15, substrate placement portions 29A through 29D inserted from a lower surface side of the tray 15 into the substrate accommodation holes 19A through 19D and having a substrate placement surface 31 at its upper end surface for placing the substrate 2. A dc voltage applying mechanism 43 applies a dc voltage to an electrostatic attraction electrode 40. A heat conduction gas supply mechanism 45 supplies a heat conduction gas between the substrate 2 and substrate placement surface 31. The substrate 2 can be retained on the substrate placement surface 31 with high degree of adhesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Shogo Okita, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Ryuzou Houchin, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090218045
    Abstract: The plasma processing apparatus has a beam-shaped spacer 7 placed at the upper opening of the chamber 3 opposed to the substrate 2. The beam-shaped spacer 7 has an annular outer peripheral portion 7a whose lower surface 7d is supported by the chamber 3, a central portion 7b located at the center of a region surrounded by the outer peripheral portion 7a in plane view, and a plurality of beam portions 7c extending radially from the central portion 7b to the outer peripheral portion 7a. An entire of a dielectric plate 8 is uniformly supported by the beam-shaped spacer 7. The dielectric plate 8 can be reduces in thickness while securing a mechanical strength for supporting the atmospheric pressure when the chamber 3 is internally reduced in pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Mitsuru Hiroshima, Hiromi Asakura, Syouzou Watanabe, Mitsuhiro Okune, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Ryuzou Houchin
  • Patent number: 4428124
    Abstract: A hair cutting angle indicator for use with scissors or the like as an aid to cutting the hair at a desired angle with respect to the vertical. It includes an angle gauge mounted on an attachment removably mounted on the scissors. In one embodiment, the indicator holds the scissors at an adjustable desired distance from the head whose hair is being cut. In another embodiment, angular indicia are provided about a bar mounted to the handle of the scissors so as to indicate the angle of the cutting direction about the pivot axis of the scissors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventor: Hiromi Asakura
  • Patent number: D329303
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: Hiromi Asakura