Patents by Inventor James D. Carducci

James D. Carducci 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: 8293016
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing volatile residues from a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for removing halogen-containing residues from a substrate includes a chamber suitable for operating maintaining a vacuum therein and a heat module positioned to heat a substrate disposed in the chamber. The apparatus for removing halogen-containing residues from a substrate also includes at least one of A) a temperature controlled pedestal having a projection extending radially therefrom suitable for supporting the temperature control pedestal on a ledge of the chamber body, the projection thermally isolating the base from the chamber body; B) a pair of substrate holders that include two support flanges extending radially inward from an inner edge of an arc-shaped body, each support flange having a substrate support step that includes a sloped landing; or C) a domed window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bahng, Matthew F. Davis, Travis Morey, James D. Carducci
  • Patent number: 8282736
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20120145326
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: James D. CARDUCCI, Andrew NGUYEN, Ajit BALAKRISHNA, Michael C. KUTNEY
  • Patent number: 8123902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing flow into a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a vacuum processing chamber is provided that includes a chamber body having an interior volume, a substrate support disposed in the interior volume and a gas distribution assembly having an asymmetrical distribution of gas injection ports. In another embodiment, a method for vacuum processing a substrate is provided that includes disposing a substrate on a substrate support within in a processing chamber, flowing process gas into laterally into a space defined above a gas distribution plate positioned in the processing chamber over the substrate, and processing the substrate in the presence of the processing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Brillhart, Daniel J. Hoffman, James D. Carducci, Xiaoping Zhou, Matthew L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120043023
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capactively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a folded structure and symmetrical power distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Igor Markovsky, Zhigang Chen, James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Nipun Misra, Leonid Dorf, Zheng John Ye
  • Patent number: 8118938
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20120034136
    Abstract: A coaxial VHF power coupler includes conductive element inside a hollow cylindrical outer conductor of the power coupler and surrounding an axial section of a hollow cylindrical inner conductor of the power coupler. Respective plural motor drives contacting the hollow cylindrical outer conductor are connected to respective locations of the movable conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Zhigang Chen, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci, Shahid Rauf, Andrew Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120018402
    Abstract: The invention discloses a plasma processing apparatus comprising a chamber lid, a chamber body and a support assembly. The chamber body, defining a processing volume for containing a plasma, for supporting the chamber lid. The chamber body is comprised of a chamber sidewall, a bottom wall and a liner assembly. The chamber sidewall and the bottom wall define a processing volume for containing a plasma. The liner assembly, disposed inside the processing volume, comprises of two or more slots formed thereon for providing an axial symmetric RF current path. The support assembly supports a substrate for processing within the chamber body. With the liner assembly with several symmetric slots, the present invention can prevent electromagnetic fields thereof from being azimuthal asymmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Zhigang Chen, Shahid Rauf, Kenneth S. Collins
  • Publication number: 20110284166
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: JAMES D. CARDUCCI, ANDREW NGUYEN, AJIT BALAKRISHNA, MICHAEL C. KUTNEY
  • Patent number: 7987814
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20110180233
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling thermal uniformity of a substrate-facing surface of a showerhead is provided herein. In some embodiments, the thermal uniformity of the substrate facing surface of the showerhead may be controlled to be more uniform. In some embodiments, the thermal uniformity of the substrate facing surface of the showerhead may be controlled to be non-uniform in a desired pattern. In some embodiments, an apparatus for controlling thermal uniformity of a substrate-facing surface of a showerhead may include a showerhead having a substrate facing surface and one or more plenums for providing one or more process gases through a plurality of gas distribution holes formed through the substrate facing surface of the showerhead; and a plurality of flow paths having a substantially equivalent fluid conductance disposed within the showerhead to flow a heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: KALLOL BERA, JAMES D. CARDUCCI, HAMID NOORBAKHSH, LARRY D. ELIZAGA, DOUGLAS A. BUCHBERGER, JR., ANDREW NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20110162800
    Abstract: Reconfigurable showerheads used in process chambers for substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, a reconfigurable showerhead may include a body having one or more plenums disposed therein; and one or more inserts configured to be disposed within the one or more plenums, wherein the one or more inserts divide the reconfigurable showerhead into a plurality of zones. In some embodiments, a substrate processing system may include a process chamber having a reconfigurable showerhead coupled to a gas supply for providing one or more process gases to the process chamber, the reconfigurable showerhead including a body having one or more plenums disposed therein and one or more inserts configured to be disposed within the one or more plenums, wherein the one or more inserts divide the reconfigurable showerhead into a plurality of zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Hamid Noorbakhsh, James D. Carducci
  • Patent number: 7972467
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to confine a plasma within a processing region in a plasma processing chamber. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ring that has a baffle having a plurality of slots and a plurality of fingers. Each slot is configured to have a width less than the thickness of a plasma sheath contained in the processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Yan Ye, James D. Carducci, Daniel J. Hoffman, Steven C. Shannon, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110151590
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for integrated in-vacuo repair of low-k dielectric thin films damaged by etch and/or strip processing. A repair chamber is integrated onto a same platform as a plasma etch and/or strip chamber to repair a low-k dielectric thin film without breaking vacuum between the damage event and the repair event. UV radiation may be provided on the integrated etch/repair platform in any combination of before, after, or during the low-k repair treatment to increase efficacy of the repair treatment and/or stability of repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Srinivas D. Nemani, Hairong Tang, Hui Sun, Igor Markovsky, Ezra R. Gold, Iwalani S. Kaya, Ellie Y. Yieh, Chunlei Zhang, Kenneth S. Collins, Michael D. Armacost, Ajit Balakrishna, Thorsten B. Lill
  • Patent number: 7754997
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to confine a plasma within a processing region in a plasma processing chamber. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ring that has a baffle having a plurality of slots and a plurality of fingers. Each slot is configured to have a width less than the thickness of a plasma sheath contained in the processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Yan Ye, James D. Carducci, Daniel J. Hoffman, Steven C. Shannon, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100133255
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing volatile residues from a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for removing halogen-containing residues from a substrate includes a chamber suitable for operating maintaining a vacuum therein and a heat module positioned to heat a substrate disposed in the chamber. The apparatus for removing halogen-containing residues from a substrate also includes at least one of A) a temperature controlled pedestal having a projection extending radially therefrom suitable for supporting the temperature control pedestal on a ledge of the chamber body, the projection thermally isolating the base from the chamber body; B) a pair of substrate holders that include two support flanges extending radially inward from an inner edge of an arc-shaped body, each support flange having a substrate support step that includes a sloped landing; or C) a domed window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bahng, Matthew F. Davis, Travis Morey, James D. Carducci
  • Publication number: 20100081284
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a flow equalizer configured to control the flow of gases between a process volume and an exhaust port of a process chamber. The flow equalizer includes at least one restrictor plate configured to be disposed in a plane proximate a surface of a substrate to be processed and defines an azimuthally non-uniform gap between an edge of the at least one restrictor plate and one of either a chamber wall or a substrate support when installed in the process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: AJIT BALAKRISHNA, Aniruddha Pal, James D. Carducci, Semyon L. Kats, Shahid Rauf
  • Publication number: 20100065213
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber having a lowered flow equalizer and a lower chamber liner. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. By equalizing the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber, a more uniform etching may occur. By electrically coupling the flow equalizer to the chamber liners, the RF return path from the flow equalizer may run along the chamber liners and hence, reduce the amount of plasma drawn below the substrate during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kin Pong Lo, Kallol Bera, Michael C. Kutney, Matthew L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090250169
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Patent number: 7585384
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to confine a plasma within a processing region in a plasma processing chamber. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ring that has a baffle having a plurality of slots and a plurality of fingers. Each slot is configured to have a width less than the thickness of a plasma sheath contained in the processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Yan Ye, James D. Carducci, Daniel J. Hoffman, Steven C. Shannon, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.