Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Charles Blahnik

Jeffrey Charles Blahnik 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).

  • Publication number: 20230360955
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to process chambers with coaxial lift devices. In some embodiments, the device comprises both a bottom bowl lift and a pedestal lift. The bottom bowl lift supports a bottom bowl and is configured to move the bottom bowl into a position that reduces the process volume. The bottom bowl lift is co-axial with the pedestal lift and the bottom bowl lift and the pedestal lift are attached for vacuum operation. The pedestal lift includes multiple actuators to create a dynamic lift mechanism. Both systems complete a nested system such that the bottom bowl lift is adjustable and can close the bottom bowl creating a symmetric and small process volume. The pedestal lift can move independently to its process position and tilt in a desired direction without interference with the bottom bowl lift, increasing film uniformity on a processed substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jason M. SCHALLER, Jeffrey Charles BLAHNIK, Amit Kumar BANSAL
  • Publication number: 20230360956
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to process chambers with coaxial lift devices. In some embodiments, the device comprises both a bottom bowl lift and a pedestal lift. The bottom bowl lift supports a bottom bowl and is configured to move the bottom bowl into a position that reduces the process volume. The bottom bowl lift is co-axial with the pedestal lift and the bottom bowl lift and the pedestal lift are attached for vacuum operation. The pedestal lift includes multiple actuators to create a dynamic lift mechanism. Both systems complete a nested system such that the bottom bowl lift is adjustable and can close the bottom bowl creating a symmetric and small process volume. The pedestal lift can move independently to its process position and tilt in a desired direction without interference with the bottom bowl lift, increasing film uniformity on a processed substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jason M. SCHALLER, Jeffrey Charles BLAHNIK, Amit Kumar BANSAL
  • Patent number: 11742235
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to process chambers with coaxial lift devices. In some embodiments, the device comprises both a bottom bowl lift and a pedestal lift. The bottom bowl lift supports a bottom bowl and is configured to move the bottom bowl into a position that reduces the process volume. The bottom bowl lift is co-axial with the pedestal lift and the bottom bowl lift and the pedestal lift are attached for vacuum operation. The pedestal lift includes multiple actuators to create a dynamic lift mechanism. Both systems complete a nested system such that the bottom bowl lift is adjustable and can close the bottom bowl creating a symmetric and small process volume. The pedestal lift can move independently to its process position and tilt in a desired direction without interference with the bottom bowl lift, increasing film uniformity on a processed substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, Amit Kumar Bansal
  • Patent number: 10854483
    Abstract: Apparatuses for annealing semiconductor substrates, such as a batch processing chamber, are provided herein. The batch processing chamber includes a chamber body enclosing an internal volume, a cassette moveably disposed within the internal volume and a plug coupled to a bottom wall of the cassette. The chamber body has a hole through a bottom wall of the chamber body and is interfaced with one or more heaters operable to maintain the chamber body at a temperature of greater than 290° C. The cassette is configured to be raised to load a plurality of substrates thereon and lowered to seal the internal volume. The plug is configured to move up and down within the internal volume. The plug includes a downward-facing seal configured to engage with a top surface of the bottom wall of the chamber body and close the hole through the bottom wall of the chamber body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Schaller, Robert Brent Vopat, Charles T. Carlson, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, Timothy J. Franklin, David Blahnik, Aaron Webb
  • Publication number: 20200157678
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to lift pin holders, lift pin holder assemblies, and substrate supports containing the lift pin holder and/or the lift pin holder assembly. In one or more embodiments, a lift pin holder contains a cap having a first outside diameter, a base coupled to the cap where the base has a second outside diameter, a first bore formed axially through the cap and the base where the first bore has a sidewall, and a plurality of second bores extending from the sidewall of the first bore to an outer surface of the base where a spring-loaded member is disposed within each of the second bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. SCHALLER, Jeffrey Charles BLAHNIK, Jeongmin LEE
  • Publication number: 20200105573
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to process chambers with coaxial lift devices. In some embodiments, the device comprises both a bottom bowl lift and a pedestal lift. The bottom bowl lift supports a bottom bowl and is configured to move the bottom bowl into a position that reduces the process volume. The bottom bowl lift is co-axial with the pedestal lift and the bottom bowl lift and the pedestal lift are attached for vacuum operation. The pedestal lift includes multiple actuators to create a dynamic lift mechanism. Both systems complete a nested system such that the bottom bowl lift is adjustable and can close the bottom bowl creating a symmetric and small process volume. The pedestal lift can move independently to its process position and tilt in a desired direction without interference with the bottom bowl lift, increasing film uniformity on a processed substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. SCHALLER, Jeffrey Charles BLAHNIK, Amit Kumar BANSAL
  • Publication number: 20190148186
    Abstract: Apparatuses for annealing semiconductor substrates, such as a batch processing chamber, are provided herein. The batch processing chamber includes a chamber body enclosing an internal volume, a cassette moveably disposed within the internal volume and a plug coupled to a bottom wall of the cassette. The chamber body has a hole through a bottom wall of the chamber body and is interfaced with one or more heaters operable to maintain the chamber body at a temperature of greater than 290° C. The cassette is configured to be raised to load a plurality of substrates thereon and lowered to seal the internal volume. The plug is configured to move up and down within the internal volume. The plug includes a downward-facing seal configured to engage with a top surface of the bottom wall of the chamber body and close the hole through the bottom wall of the chamber body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Jason M. SCHALLER, Robert Brent VOPAT, Charles T. CARLSON, Jeffrey Charles BLAHNIK, Timothy J. FRANKLIN, David BLAHNIK, Aaron WEBB
  • Patent number: 9484183
    Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus including an enclosure defining a process chamber, a carriage slidably mounted on a shaft within the process chamber and coupled to a drive mechanism adapted to selectively move the carriage along the shaft. A platen assembly can be coupled to the carriage, and a linkage conduit can extend between a side wall of the enclosure and the carriage. The linkage conduit can include a plurality of pivotably interconnected linkage members that define a contiguous internal volume that is sealed from the process chamber. The contiguous volume can be held at a desired vacuum pressure separate from the vacuum environment of the process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Hermanson, Robert J. Mitchell, Steven Anella, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, William T. Weaver, Michael Rohrer, James P. Buonodono
  • Publication number: 20160071686
    Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus including an enclosure defining a process chamber, a carriage slidably mounted on a shaft within the process chamber and coupled to a drive mechanism adapted to selectively move the carriage along the shaft. A platen assembly can be coupled to the carriage, and a linkage conduit can extend between a side wall of the enclosure and the carriage. The linkage conduit can include a plurality of pivotably interconnected linkage members that define a contiguous internal volume that is sealed from the process chamber. The contiguous volume can be held at a desired vacuum pressure separate from the vacuum environment of the process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Eric D. Hermanson, Robert J. Mitchell, Steven Anella, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, William T. Weaver, Michael Rohrer, James P. Buonodono
  • Patent number: 9214369
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically adjusting the pitch between substrates in a substrate stack comprises first and second lift portions. The first lift portion supports a first group of the plurality of substrates, and the second lift portion supports a second group of the plurality of substrates. The first and second lift portions are operable to move the first and second groups of substrates in a first direction independently from each other. This independent movement enables the pitch, or spacing, between adjacent substrates to be dynamically adjusted so that an end effector of a robot can be positioned between such adjacent substrates to pick one of the substrates without inadvertently engaging another substrate that is not being picked. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Vopat, Jason M. Schaller, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, Malcolm N. Daniel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150125240
    Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically adjusting the pitch between substrates in a substrate stack comprises first and second lift portions. The first lift portion supports a first group of the plurality of substrates, and the second lift portion supports a second group of the plurality of substrates. The first and second lift portions are operable to move the first and second groups of substrates in a first direction independently from each other. This independent movement enables the pitch, or spacing, between adjacent substrates to be dynamically adjusted so that an end effector of a robot can be positioned between such adjacent substrates to pick one of the substrates without inadvertently engaging another substrate that is not being picked. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Vopat, Jason M. Shaller, Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, Malcom N. Daniel, JR.
  • Patent number: 8497486
    Abstract: An ion source includes arc chamber housing defining an arc chamber. The arc chamber housing has an extraction plate in a fixed position, and the extraction plate defines a plurality of extraction apertures. The ion source also includes a shutter assembly positioned outside of the arc chamber proximate the extraction plate. The shutter assembly is configured to block at least a portion of one of the plurality of extraction apertures during one time interval. The ion source combined with relative movement of a workpiece to be treated with an ion beam extracted from the ion source enables a two dimensional ion implantation pattern to be formed on the workpiece using only one ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Charles Blahnik, William T. Weaver