Patents by Inventor James A. Tappan

James A. Tappan 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: 11302556
    Abstract: A substrate support for control of a temperature of a semiconductor substrate supported thereon during plasma processing of the semiconductor substrate includes a temperature-controlled base having a top surface, a metal plate, and a film heater. The film heater is a thin and flexible polyimide heater film with a plurality of independently controlled resistive heating elements thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate. The film heater is electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive bonds the metal plate and the film heater to the top surface of the temperature-controlled base. A layer of dielectric material is bonded to a top surface of the metal plate with a second layer of adhesive. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism for supporting the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20200251370
    Abstract: A substrate support for control of a temperature of a semiconductor substrate supported thereon during plasma processing of the semiconductor substrate includes a temperature-controlled base having a top surface, a metal plate, and a film heater. The film heater is a thin and flexible polyimide heater film with a plurality of independently controlled resistive heating elements thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate. The film heater is electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive bonds the metal plate and the film heater to the top surface of the temperature-controlled base. A layer of dielectric material is bonded to a top surface of the metal plate with a second layer of adhesive. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism for supporting the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 10636689
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8900404
    Abstract: A plasma processing system with improved component temperature control is disclosed. The system may include a plasma processing chamber having a chamber wall. The system may also include an electrode disposed inside the plasma processing chamber. The system may also include a support member disposed inside the plasma processing chamber for supporting the electrode. The system may also include a support plate disposed outside the chamber wall. The system may also include a cantilever disposed through the chamber wall for coupling the support member with the support plate. The system may also include a lift plate disposed between the chamber wall and the support plate. The system may also include thermally resistive coupling mechanisms for mechanically coupling the lift plate with the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20140332161
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8821639
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8735298
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20120018411
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8051556
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8038796
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20090301657
    Abstract: A plasma processing system with improved component temperature control is disclosed. The system may include a plasma processing chamber having a chamber wall. The system may also include an electrode disposed inside the plasma processing chamber. The system may also include a support member disposed inside the plasma processing chamber for supporting the electrode. The system may also include a support plate disposed outside the chamber wall. The system may also include a cantilever disposed through the chamber wall for coupling the support member with the support plate. The system may also include a lift plate disposed between the chamber wall and the support plate. The system may also include thermally resistive coupling mechanisms for mechanically coupling the lift plate with the support plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20090078360
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20080033889
    Abstract: An information system for enabling a buyer subscriber and a seller subscriber to directly communicate, negotiate and order financial instruments, particularly fixed income instruments, without the need for an intermediary or inter-dealer broker. The information system is adapted to publish real-time bond offerings, provide search capabilities to allow users to locate bond offerings meeting specific criteria, send real-time notification of offerings entering the marketplace in which a user has a registered interest, manage and negotiate order privileges, provide a network for real-time communication between counter-parties in a transaction, and allow direct communication between a fully disclosed buyer subscriber and a fully disclosed seller subscriber. Also, the information system can cooperate or be integrated with existing industry systems, such as inventory management systems to import offering information, and back-office systems to export transaction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: James A. Tappan, Tommy J. Hannon, Jacob L. Massey, James B. Rucker, Christopher W. Trammell, David L. Trammell
  • Publication number: 20070221837
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an analytical apparatus is provided that includes a carriage; and a plurality of electrospray probes pivotably mounted on the carriage, wherein movement of the carriage engages a feature with a selected one of the electrospray probes whereby movement of the feature pivots the selected one of the electrospray probes with respect to the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Bailey, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 7132080
    Abstract: An automated matrix removal module is configurable to automatically withdraw a portion of sample containing an interferent. The module is further configurable to mix the portion of sample with a precipitating reagent selected to react with the interferent to form a precipitant and then filter mixture of sample and precipitant reagent through a filter. Finally, the module is further configurable to flush the precipitant from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Metara, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc R. Anderson, Michael J. West, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20060144516
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Anthony Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20060133964
    Abstract: An automated matrix removal module is configurable to automatically withdraw a portion of sample containing an interfering matrix. The module is further configurable to mix the portion of sample with a reagent selected to react with the matrix to form a precipitant and then filter the mixture of sample and precipitant reagent through a filter. Finally, the module is further configurable to flush the precipitant from the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Bailey, Michael Ahern, Michael West, Qin Wang, Zhenbiao Wang, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20060128028
    Abstract: An in-process mass spectrometry (IPMS) system is disclosed that uses an internal standard to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The internal standard has a different molecular composition than the analyte but is sufficiently similar chemically and physically to the analyte such that it behaves substantially the same as the analyte during an ionization process in the mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Marc Anderson, Michael West, James Tappan
  • Publication number: 20060065523
    Abstract: In a plasma processing system, an integrated gas flow control assembly for connecting a gas distribution system to a multi-zone injector is disclosed. The assembly includes a first set of channels connecting the gas distribution system to a first valve assembly with a first flow rate, a second valve assembly with a second flow rate, a third flow assembly with a third flow rate, and a fourth flow assembly with a fourth flow rate, wherein when the first valve assembly is substantially open, the third flow rate is less than the first flow rate, and wherein when the second valve assembly is substantially open, the fourth flow rate is less than the second flow rate. The assembly also includes a second set of channels for connecting the third flow assembly and the first valve assembly to a first multi-zone injector zone. The assembly further includes a third set of channels for connecting the fourth flow assembly and the second valve assembly to a second multi-zone injector zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Fangli Hao, John Daugherty, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 6998095
    Abstract: A loop dilution system includes a dual-loop multi-way valve. In a first configuration of the multi-way valve, a first loop may be filled with a first solution and a second loop may be filled with a second solution. In a second configuration of the multi-way valve, the first and second loops are serially connected with a pump so that their contents may be mixed with a diluent. In another aspect of the invention, an in-process mass spectrometry (IPMS) system is disclosed that uses an internal standard to determine the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The internal standard has a different molecular composition than the analyte but is sufficiently similar chemically and physically to the analyte such that it behaves substantially the same as the analyte during an ionization process in the mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Metara, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc R. Anderson, Michael J. West, James Tappan