Patents by Inventor John Drewery

John Drewery 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: 10784083
    Abstract: A voltage sensor for a substrate processing system is provided. The voltage sensor includes a terminal, a first channel, and a second channel. The terminal connects to a pickup device of a substrate support in the substrate processing system. The first channel is configured to detect, at the pickup device, first radio frequency voltages in a first voltage range. The first channel includes a first voltage divider. The first voltage divider is connected to the terminal and is configured to output a first reduced voltage representative of a detected one of the first radio frequency voltages. The second channel is configured to detect, at the pickup device, second radio frequency voltages in a second voltage range. The second channel includes a second voltage divider. The second voltage divider is connected to the terminal and is configured to output a second reduced voltage representative of a detected one of the second radio frequency voltages. The second voltage range is different than the first voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maolin Long, John Drewery, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 10690374
    Abstract: A chamber is provided. The chamber includes a Faraday shield positioned above a substrate support of the chamber. A dielectric window is disposed over the Faraday shield, and the dielectric window has a center opening. A hub having an internal plenum for passing a flow of fluid received from an input conduit and removing the flow of fluid from an output conduit is further provided. The hub has sidewalls and a center cavity inside of the sidewalls for an optical probe, and the internal plenum is disposed in the sidewalls. The hub has an interface surface that is in physical contact with a back side of the Faraday shield. The physical contact provides for a thermal couple to the Faraday shield at a center region around said center opening, and an outer surface of the sidewalls of the hub are disposed within the center opening of the dielectric window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Saravanapriyan Sriraman, John Drewery, Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 10679825
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying frequency and match tuning in a non-overlapping manner are described. For example, a radio frequency (RF) generator is tuned for a time interval and an impedance match is not tuned for the time interval. The impedance match is tuned before or after the RF generator is tuned. Such a non-overlap in the tuning of the RF generator and the impedance match facilitates a reduction in reflected power during a pulse without the tuning of the RF generator interfering with the tuning of the impedance match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ying Wu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery, Arthur Sato
  • Publication number: 20190148114
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying frequency and match tuning in a non-overlapping manner are described. For example, a radio frequency (RF) generator is tuned for a time interval and an impedance match is not tuned for the time interval. The impedance match is tuned before or after the RF generator is tuned. Such a non-overlap in the tuning of the RF generator and the impedance match facilitates a reduction in reflected power during a pulse without the tuning of the RF generator interfering with the tuning of the impedance match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Ying Wu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery, Arthur Sato
  • Publication number: 20190051497
    Abstract: A voltage sensor for a substrate processing system is provided. The voltage sensor includes a terminal, a first channel, and a second channel. The terminal connects to a pickup device of a substrate support in the substrate processing system. The first channel is configured to detect, at the pickup device, first radio frequency voltages in a first voltage range. The first channel includes a first voltage divider. The first voltage divider is connected to the terminal and is configured to output a first reduced voltage representative of a detected one of the first radio frequency voltages. The second channel is configured to detect, at the pickup device, second radio frequency voltages in a second voltage range. The second channel includes a second voltage divider. The second voltage divider is connected to the terminal and is configured to output a second reduced voltage representative of a detected one of the second radio frequency voltages. The second voltage range is different than the first voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Maolin Long, John Drewery, Alex Paterson
  • Publication number: 20190043728
    Abstract: A method for etching a substrate includes performing, in a plasma chamber, a first etch of a substrate material using a plasma etch process. The first etch forms features to a first depth in the material. Following the first etch, the method includes performing, in the plasma chamber without removing the substrate from the chamber, an atomic layer passivation (ALP) process to deposit a conformal film of passivation over the mask and the features formed during the first etch. The ALP process uses a vapor from a liquid precursor to form passivation over the features and the mask. The method further includes performing, in the plasma chamber, a second etch of the material using the plasma etch process. The conformal film of passivation is configured to protect the mask and sidewalls of the features during the second etch. A plasma processing system also is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Xiang Zhou, Tom A. Kamp, Yoshie Kimura, Duming Zhang, Chen Xu, John Drewery, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 10153136
    Abstract: A feed tube for a substrate processing system includes an outer tube and a feed rod. The feed rod is arranged within the outer tube. The feed rod is arranged to provide radio frequency power to the substrate processing system and the outer tube provides a return for the radio frequency power. At least one conductor is routed within the feed rod. The conductor is arranged to provide electrical power to at least one component of the substrate processing system separate from the radio frequency power provided by the feed rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, John Drewery, Alex Paterson, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10121641
    Abstract: A voltage sensor of a substrate processing system including a multi-divider circuit, a clamping circuit and first and second outputs. The multi-divider circuit receives a RF signal indicative of a RF voltage at a substrate. The multi-divider circuit includes dividers of respective channels and outputting first and second reduced voltages based on the received RF signal. The reduced voltages are less than the RF voltage. The clamping circuit clamps the first reduced voltage to a first predetermined voltage when the RF voltage is greater than a second predetermined voltage or the first reduced voltage is greater than a third predetermined voltage. While the received RF signal is in first and second voltage ranges, the first and second outputs output output signals based respectively on the first and second reduced voltages. The first predetermined voltage is based on a maximum value of the first voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maolin Long, John Drewery, Alex Paterson
  • Publication number: 20180156489
    Abstract: A chamber is provided. The chamber includes a Faraday shield positioned above a substrate support of the chamber. A dielectric window is disposed over the Faraday shield, and the dielectric window has a center opening. A hub having an internal plenum for passing a flow of fluid received from an input conduit and removing the flow of fluid from an output conduit is further provided. The hub has sidewalls and a center cavity inside of the sidewalls for an optical probe, and the internal plenum is disposed in the sidewalls. The hub has an interface surface that is in physical contact with a back side of the Faraday shield. The physical contact provides for a thermal couple to the Faraday shield at a center region around said center opening, and an outer surface of the sidewalls of the hub are disposed within the center opening of the dielectric window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Saravanapriyan Sriraman, John Drewery, Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 9934956
    Abstract: A gas delivery system delivers different process gas compositions to a common supply line at specified times. Multiple reservoirs are fluidly connected to the common supply line with each reservoir having its own charge control valve for controlling connection of the reservoir to the common supply line. Each of the multiple reservoirs has a corresponding mass flow controller and delivery control valve connected to control flow of process gas from within the reservoir to a process module at specified times. The common supply line is operated to fill the multiple reservoirs with different process gas compositions in a time-divided manner. The mass flow controllers and delivery control valves of the multiple reservoirs are operated to deliver one or more process gas compositions to the process module in an accurately timed manner in accordance with a prescribed schedule. The multiple reservoirs are filled as needed to satisfy the prescribed schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: John Drewery
  • Publication number: 20180090334
    Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Zhongkui Tan, Qian Fu, Ying Wu, Qing Xu, John Drewery
  • Publication number: 20180076045
    Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Zhongkui Tan, Qian Fu, Ying Wu, Qing Xu, John Drewery
  • Patent number: 9885493
    Abstract: A processing chamber and a Faraday shield system for use in a plasma processing chambers are provided. One system includes a disk structure defining a Faraday shield, and the disk structure has a process side and a back side. The disk structure extends between a center region to a periphery region. The disk structure resides within the processing volume. The system also includes a hub having an internal plenum for passing a flow of air received from an input conduit and removing the flow of air from an output conduit. The hub has an interface surface that is coupled to the back side of the disk structure at the center region. A fluid delivery control is coupled to the input conduit of the hub. The fluid delivery control is configured with a flow rate regulator. The regulated air can be amplified or compressed dry air (CDA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Saravanapriyan Sriraman, John Drewery, Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Publication number: 20170372912
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reverse pulsing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a digital signal having a first state and a second state. The method further includes generating a transformer coupled plasma (TCP) radio frequency (RF) pulsed signal having a high state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a low state when the digital signal is in the second state. The method includes providing the TCP RF pulsed signal to one or more coils of a plasma chamber, generating a bias RF pulsed signal having a low state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a high state when the digital signal is in the second state, and providing the bias RF pulsed signal to a chuck of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Maolin Long, Zhongkui Tan, Ying Wu, Qian Fu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery
  • Patent number: 9824896
    Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongkui Tan, Qian Fu, Ying Wu, Qing Xu, John Drewery
  • Patent number: 9761459
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reverse pulsing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a digital signal having a first state and a second state. The method further includes generating a transformer coupled plasma (TCP) radio frequency (RF) pulsed signal having a high state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a low state when the digital signal is in the second state. The method includes providing the TCP RF pulsed signal to one or more coils of a plasma chamber, generating a bias RF pulsed signal having a low state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a high state when the digital signal is in the second state, and providing the bias RF pulsed signal to a chuck of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Maolin Long, Zhongkui Tan, Ying Wu, Qian Fu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery
  • Publication number: 20170125260
    Abstract: A substrate is disposed on a substrate holder within a process module. The substrate includes a mask material overlying a target material with at least one portion of the target material exposed through an opening in the mask material. A plasma is generated in exposure to the substrate. For a first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a first bias voltage setting corresponding to a high bias voltage level. For a second duration, after completion of the first duration, a bias voltage is applied at the substrate holder at a second bias voltage setting corresponding to a low bias voltage level. The second bias voltage setting is greater than 0 V. The first and second durations are repeated in an alternating and successive manner for an overall period of time necessary to remove a required amount of the target material exposed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Zhongkui Tan, Qian Fu, Ying Wu, Qing Xu, John Drewery
  • Patent number: 9583357
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reverse pulsing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a digital signal having a first state and a second state. The method further includes generating a transformer coupled plasma (TCP) radio frequency (RF) pulsed signal having a high state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a low state when the digital signal is in the second state. The method includes providing the TCP RF pulsed signal to one or more coils of a plasma chamber, generating a bias RF pulsed signal having a low state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a high state when the digital signal is in the second state, and providing the bias RF pulsed signal to a chuck of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Maolin Long, Zhongkui Tan, Ying Wu, Qian Fu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery
  • Publication number: 20170040148
    Abstract: A feed tube for a substrate processing system includes an outer tube and a feed rod. The feed rod is arranged within the outer tube. The feed rod is arranged to provide radio frequency power to the substrate processing system and the outer tube provides a return for the radio frequency power. At least one conductor is routed within the feed rod. The conductor is arranged to provide electrical power to at least one component of the substrate processing system separate from the radio frequency power provided by the feed rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, John Drewery, Alex Paterson, Neil Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20170040176
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reverse pulsing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a digital signal having a first state and a second state. The method further includes generating a transformer coupled plasma (TCP) radio frequency (RF) pulsed signal having a high state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a low state when the digital signal is in the second state. The method includes providing the TCP RF pulsed signal to one or more coils of a plasma chamber, generating a bias RF pulsed signal having a low state when the digital signal is in the first state and having a high state when the digital signal is in the second state, and providing the bias RF pulsed signal to a chuck of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Maolin Long, Zhongkui Tan, Ying Wu, Qian Fu, Alex Paterson, John Drewery