Patents by Inventor John Rice Swyers

John Rice Swyers 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: 5939886
    Abstract: A plasma monitoring and control method and system monitor and control plasma in an electronic device fabrication reactor by sensing the voltage of the radio frequency power that is directed into the plasma producing gas at the input to the plasma producing environment of the electronic device fabrication reactor. The method and system further sense the current and phase angle of the radio frequency power directed to the plasma producing gas at the input to the plasma producing environment. Full load impedance is measured and used in determining characteristics of the plasma environment, including not only discharge and sheath impedances, but also chuck and wafer impedances, primary ground path impedance, and a secondary ground path impedance associated with the plasma environment. This permits end point detection of both deposition and etch processes, as well as advanced process control for electronic device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Richard Turner, James Douglas Spain, John Rice Swyers