Patents by Inventor James P. Garcia

James P. Garcia 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: 7862663
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes applying fluid onto a surface of the substrate from a portion of a plurality of inlets and removing at least the fluid from the surface of the substrate where the removing being processed as the fluid is applied to the surface. The applying the fluid and the removing the fluid forms a segment of a fluid meniscus on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20090176360
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes applying fluid onto a surface of the substrate from a portion of a plurality of inlets and removing at least the fluid from the surface of the substrate where the removing being processed as the fluid is applied to the surface. The applying the fluid and the removing the fluid forms a segment of a fluid meniscus on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Lam Research Corp.
    Inventor: James P. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7520285
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes applying fluid onto a surface of the substrate from a portion of a plurality of inlets and removing at least the fluid from the surface of the substrate where the removing being processed as the fluid is applied to the surface. The applying the fluid and the removing the fluid forms a segment of a fluid meniscus on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20090037028
    Abstract: A dispensing measuring system for dispensing a measure of fluid for use with a system to treat semiconductor workpieces is disclosed. The dispensing measuring system includes at least one feedline having a receiving tank having a volumetric capacity for receiving a measure of fluid. A sensor senses when the receiving tank has received the measure of fluid. A mix tank is attached to the at least one feedline for receiving the measure of fluid from the receiving tank to create a batch of fluid. A controller is electrically connected to the at least one feedline to control the flow of fluid through the at least one feedline. The controller is electrically connected to the mix tank. A connecting line is attached to the mix tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: James P. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7464719
    Abstract: A substrate preparation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing configured to be installed in a substrate fabrication facility. The housing includes a manifold for use in preparing a wafer surface. The manifold is configured to include a first process window in a first portion of the manifold. A first fluid meniscus is capable of being defined within the first process windowl. Further included is a second process window in a second portion of the manifold. A second fluid meniscus is capable of being defined within the second process window. An arm is integrated with the housing, and the arm is coupled to the manifold, such that the arm is capable of positioning the manifold in proximity with the substrate during operation. The apparatus therefore provides for the formation of multi-menisci over the surface of a substrate using a single manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fred C. Redeker, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7395611
    Abstract: A system and method of moving a meniscus from a first surface to a second surface includes forming a meniscus between a head and a first surface. The meniscus can be moved from the first surface to an adjacent second surface, the adjacent second surface being parallel to the first surface. The system and method of moving the meniscus can also be used to move the meniscus along an edge of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios, Michael Ravkin, Fred C. Redeker, Carl Woods
  • Patent number: 7389783
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided which includes a first manifold module to generate a fluid meniscus on a substrate surface. The apparatus also includes a second manifold module to connect with the first manifold module and also to move the first manifold module into close proximity to the substrate surface to generate the fluid meniscus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Woods, Michael G. R. Smith, John Parks, James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios
  • Patent number: 7387689
    Abstract: Methods for processing substrate through a head that is configured to be placed in close non-contact proximity to a surface of a substrate are provided. One method includes applying a first fluid onto the surface of the substrate from conduits in the head when the head is in close proximity to the surface of the substrate and removing the first fluid from the surface of the substrate. The removing is processed just as first fluid is applied to the surface of the substrate, and the removing ensures that the applied first fluid is contained between a surface of the head and the surface of the substrate and the first fluid being applied and removed defines a controlled meniscus. The method further includes moving the controlled meniscus over different regions of the surface of the substrate when movement of the head or the substrate is dictated. The moving of the controlled meniscus enables processing of part or all of the surface of the substrate using the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. de Larios, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fritz Redeker, James P. Garcia
  • Patent number: 7383844
    Abstract: A head is provided which includes a first surface of the head capable of being in close proximity to the wafer surface, and includes a first conduit region on the head where the first conduit region is defined for delivery of a first fluid to wafer of the surface and the first conduit region is defined in a center portion of the head. The head further includes a second conduit region on the head which surrounds the first conduit region, and includes a third conduit region on the head which is defined for delivery of a second fluid to the wafer surface. The third conduit region semi-encloses the first conduit region and the second conduit region. The second conduit region enables a removal of the first fluid and the second fluid. The delivery of the first fluid and the second fluid combined with the removal by the third conduit region of the head defines a controllable meniscus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Woods, James P. Garcia, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7350316
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for cleaning a substrate is provided. The system includes a first head configured as a bar shape that extends approximately a diameter of the substrate. The first head is configured for placement on a first side of the substrate. A second head is also provided, and is configured as a bar shape that extends approximately the diameter of the wafer, and the second head is configured for placement on a second side of the substrate, such that the second side is opposite the first side. In this example, each of the first head and the second head have conduits formed therein along the diameter of the substrate for delivering and removing fluids so that a meniscus is capable of being contained between each of the first head and a substrate surface of the first side of the substrate and the second head and a substrate surface of the second side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Woods, James P. Garcia, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7234477
    Abstract: One of many embodiments of a substrate preparation system is provided which includes a head having a head surface where the head surface is proximate to a surface of the substrate. The system also includes a first conduit for delivering a first fluid to the surface of the substrate through the head, and a second conduit for delivering a second fluid to the surface of the substrate through the head, where the second fluid is different than the first fluid. The system also includes a third conduit for removing each of the first fluid and the second fluid from the surface of the substrate where the first conduit, the second conduit and the third conduit act substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. de Larios, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fritz Redeker, James P. Garcia, Afshin Nickhou
  • Patent number: 7198055
    Abstract: A head is provided which includes a first surface of the head capable of being in close proximity to the wafer surface, and includes a first conduit region on the head where the first conduit region is defined for delivery of a first fluid to wafer of the surface and the first conduit region is defined in a center portion of the head. The head further includes a second conduit region on the head which surrounds the first conduit region, and includes a third conduit region on the head which is defined for delivery of a second fluid to the wafer surface. The third conduit region semi-encloses the first conduit region and the second conduit region. The second conduit region enables a removal of the first fluid and the second fluid. The delivery of the first fluid and the second fluid combined with the removal by the third conduit region of the head defines a controllable meniscus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Woods, James P. Garcia, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7192488
    Abstract: A system and method for processing an edge of a substrate includes an edge roller and a first proximity head. The first proximity head being mounted on the edge roller. The first proximity head capable of forming a meniscus and including a concave portion and multiple ports opening into the concave portion. The concave portion being capable of receiving an edge of a substrate and the ports including at least one process liquid injection port, at least one vacuum port and at least one surface tension control port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Woods, James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios
  • Patent number: 7143527
    Abstract: A method of forming a dynamic liquid meniscus includes forming a meniscus at a first size, the meniscus being formed between a proximity head and a first surface and changing the meniscus to a second size by modulating a flow through at least one of a set of ports on the proximity head. A system for modulating flow through the ports in a proximity head is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, Fred C. Redeker, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7127831
    Abstract: A system and method of moving a meniscus from a first surface to a second surface includes forming a meniscus between a head and a first surface. The meniscus can be moved from the first surface to an adjacent second surface, the adjacent second surface being parallel to the first surface. The system and method of moving the meniscus can also be used to move the meniscus along an edge of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: LAM Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios, Michael Ravkin, Fred C. Redeker, Carl Woods
  • Patent number: 7069937
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided which includes generating a fluid meniscus on the surface of the vertically oriented substrate, and moving the fluid meniscus over the surface of the vertically oriented substrate to process the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, Mike Ravkin, Carl Woods, Fred C. Redeker, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7003899
    Abstract: A method of forming a dynamic liquid meniscus includes forming a meniscus at a first size, the meniscus being formed between a proximity head and a first surface and changing the meniscus to a second size by modulating a flow through at least one of a set of ports on the proximity head. A system for modulating flow through the ports in a proximity head is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, Fred C. Redeker, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 7000622
    Abstract: A system and method for processing an edge of a substrate includes an edge roller and a first proximity head. The first proximity head being mounted on the edge roller. The first proximity head capable of forming a meniscus and including a concave portion and multiple ports opening into the concave portion. The concave portion being capable of receiving an edge of a substrate and the ports including at least one process liquid injection port, at least one vacuum port and at least one surface tension control port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Carl A. Woods, James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios
  • Patent number: 6988327
    Abstract: A system and method of moving a meniscus from a first surface to a second surface includes forming a meniscus between a head and a first surface. The meniscus can be moved from the first surface to an adjacent second surface, the adjacent second surface being parallel to the first surface. The system and method of moving the meniscus can also be used to move the meniscus along an edge of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Garcia, John M. de Larios, Michael Ravkin, Fred C. Redeker, Carl Woods
  • Patent number: 6910240
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate edge includes a substrate supporting device for substantially supporting a substrate in a selected plane. The substrate has a circular shape, a circumferential edge, a front side and a back side. The edge has a bevel shaped cross-section. The substrate edge cleaning apparatus also includes a first edge cleaning roller that has an open curved scrubbing surface in contact with at least part of a first portion the edge of the substrate. An interaction of the first edge cleaning roller with the part of the first portion can also be adjusted dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Boyd, Fred C. Redecker, James P. Garcia