Patents by Inventor John A. Frontiero

John A. Frontiero 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: 10825653
    Abstract: A method for improving the ion beam quality in an ion implanter is disclosed. In some ion implantation systems, contaminants from the ion source are extracted with the desired ions, introducing contaminants to the workpiece. These contaminants may be impurities in the ion source chamber. This problem is exacerbated when mass analysis of the extracted ion beam is not performed, and is further exaggerated when the desired feedgas includes a halogen. The introduction of a diluent gas in the ion chamber may reduce the deleterious effects of the halogen on the inner surfaces of the chamber, reducing contaminants in the extracted ion beam. In some embodiments, the diluent gas may be germane or silane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Graff, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P. T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bholse
  • Patent number: 10804075
    Abstract: A method for improving the ion beam quality in an ion implanter is disclosed. In some ion implantation systems, contaminants from the ion source are extracted with the desired ions, introducing contaminants to the workpiece. These contaminants may be impurities in the ion source chamber. This problem is exacerbated when mass analysis of the extracted ion beam is not performed, and is further exaggerated when the desired feedgas includes a halogen. The introduction of a diluent gas in the ion chamber may reduce the deleterious effects of the halogen on the inner surfaces of the chamber, reducing contaminants in the extracted ion beam. In some embodiments, the diluent gas may be germane or silane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Graff, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P T Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle
  • Patent number: 10446371
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon or neon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a processing species and a halogen is introduced into a ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure processing species ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero
  • Patent number: 10290466
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a dopant and a halogen is introduced into an ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure dopant ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P. T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov, Min-Sung Jeon, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher J. Leavitt
  • Publication number: 20190027341
    Abstract: A method for improving the ion beam quality in an ion implanter is disclosed. In some ion implantation systems, contaminants from the ion source are extracted with the desired ions, introducing contaminants to the workpiece. These contaminants may be impurities in the ion source chamber. This problem is exacerbated when mass analysis of the extracted ion beam is not performed, and is further exaggerated when the desired feedgas includes a halogen. The introduction of a diluent gas in the ion chamber may reduce the deleterious effects of the halogen on the inner surfaces of the chamber, reducing contaminants in the extracted ion beam. In some embodiments, the diluent gas may be germane or silane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: John W. Graff, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P.T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bholse
  • Publication number: 20180122618
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon or neon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a processing species and a halogen is introduced into a ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure processing species ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero
  • Publication number: 20180087148
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Publication number: 20180068830
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a dopant and a halogen is introduced into an ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure dopant ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P.T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov, Min-Sung Jeon, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher J. Leavitt
  • Patent number: 9887067
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon or neon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a processing species and a halogen is introduced into a ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure processing species ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero
  • Patent number: 9865430
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a dopant and a halogen is introduced into an ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure dopant ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P.T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov, Min-Sung Jeon, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher J. Leavitt
  • Patent number: 9840772
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Publication number: 20170247791
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Patent number: 9677171
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Publication number: 20170062182
    Abstract: A method for improving the ion beam quality in an ion implanter is disclosed. In some ion implantation systems, contaminants from the ion source are extracted with the desired ions, introducing contaminants to the workpiece. These contaminants may be impurities in the ion source chamber. This problem is exacerbated when mass analysis of the extracted ion beam is not performed, and is further exaggerated when the desired feedgas includes a halogen. The introduction of a diluent gas in the ion chamber may reduce the deleterious effects of the halogen on the inner surfaces of the chamber, reducing contaminants in the extracted ion beam. In some embodiments, the diluent gas may be germane or silane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: John W. Graff, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas PT Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle
  • Patent number: 9524849
    Abstract: A method for improving the ion beam quality in an ion implanter is disclosed. In some ion implantation systems, contaminants from the ion source are extracted with the desired ions, introducing contaminants to the workpiece. These contaminants may be impurities in the ion source chamber. This problem is exacerbated when mass analysis of the extracted ion beam is not performed, and is further exaggerated when the desired feedgas includes a halogen. The introduction of a diluent gas in the ion chamber may reduce the deleterious effects of the halogen on the inner surfaces of the chamber, reducing contaminants in the extracted ion beam. In some embodiments, the diluent gas may be germane or silane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Graff, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas PT Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle
  • Publication number: 20160163509
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon or neon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a processing species and a halogen is introduced into a ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure processing species ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero
  • Publication number: 20160163510
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of improving the ion beam quality of a halogen-based source gas are disclosed. Unexpectedly, the introduction of a noble gas, such as argon, to an ion source chamber may increase the percentage of desirable ion species, while decreasing the amount of contaminants and halogen-containing ions. This is especially beneficial in non-mass analyzed implanters, where all ions are implanted into the workpiece. In one embodiment, a first source gas, comprising a dopant and a halogen is introduced into an ion source chamber, a second source gas comprising a hydride, and a third source gas comprising a noble gas are also introduced. The combination of these three source gases produces an ion beam having a higher percentage of pure dopant ions than would occur if the third source gas were not used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Vikram M. Bhosle, John A. Frontiero, Nicholas P.T. Bateman, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov, Min-Sung Jeon, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher J. Leavitt
  • Publication number: 20150354056
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
  • Patent number: 9034743
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the ion chamber is first coated with the desired dopant species and another species. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant, is introduced to the chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. The other species used during the conditioning process may be a Group 3, 4 or 5 element. The desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, William T. Levay, Christopher J. Leavitt, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle, John W. Graff, Nicholas P T Bateman
  • Publication number: 20150024580
    Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the ion chamber is first coated with the desired dopant species and another species. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant, is introduced to the chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. The other species used during the conditioning process may be a Group 3, 4 or 5 element. The desired dopant species may be boron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Bon-Woong Koo, John A. Frontiero, William T. Levay, Christopher J. Leavitt, Timothy J. Miller, Vikram M. Bhosle, John W. Graff, Nicholas PT Bateman