Patents by Inventor Jon McChesney

Jon McChesney 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: 12695067
    Abstract: A bottom ring is configured to support a moveable edge ring that is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support. The bottom ring includes an upper surface that is stepped, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, a plurality of vertical guide channels provided through the bottom ring from the lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom ring, each of the guide channels including a first region having a smaller diameter than the guide channel and being configured to receive respective lift pins for raising and lowering the edge ring, and a guide feature extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha Rathnasinghe, Shawn Tokairin, Jon Mcchesney
  • Publication number: 20250372355
    Abstract: An edge ring is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support, via one or more lift pins, in a substrate processing system. The edge ring is further configured to interface with a guide feature extending upward from a bottom ring and/or a middle ring of the substrate support during tuning of the edge ring. The edge ring includes an upper surface, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, and an annular groove arranged in the lower surface of the edge ring to interface with the guide feature. A depth of the annular groove is selected according to a tunable range of the edge ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha RATHNASINGHE, Jon MCCHESNEY
  • Publication number: 20250132135
    Abstract: A bottom ring is configured to support a moveable edge ring that is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support. The bottom ring includes a ring body including an upper surface and a lower surface and includes a plurality of vertical guide channels configured to receive a plurality of lift pins, respectively, for raising and lowering the moveable edge ring. Each of the plurality of vertical guide channels extends from the lower surface to the upper surface. The plurality of vertical guide channels include a first diameter adjacent to the upper surface and a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, adjacent to the lower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha RATHNASINGHE, Shawn Tokairin, Jon MCCHESNEY
  • Patent number: 12237154
    Abstract: A bottom ring is configured to support a moveable edge ring. The edge ring is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support. The bottom ring includes an upper surface that is stepped, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, and a plurality of vertical guide channels provided through the bottom ring from the lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom ring. Each of the guide channels includes a first region having a smaller diameter than the guide channel, and the guide channels are configured to receive respective lift pins for raising and lowering the edge ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha Rathnasinghe, Shawn E S Tokairin, Jon McChesney
  • Patent number: 12230482
    Abstract: An edge ring is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support, via one or more lift pins, in a substrate processing system. The edge ring is further configured to interface with a guide feature extending upward from a bottom ring and/or a middle ring of the substrate support during tuning of the edge ring. The edge ring includes an upper surface, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, and an annular groove arranged in the lower surface of the edge ring to interface with the guide feature. Walls of the annular groove are substantially vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha Rathnasinghe, Jon Mcchesney
  • Patent number: 12183554
    Abstract: A middle ring configured to be arranged on a bottom ring and to support a moveable edge ring and further configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support includes an upper surface that is stepped, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, a guide feature in the upper surface defining the annular outer diameter, an inner annular rim in the upper surface defining the annular inner diameter, and a groove defined in the upper surface between the guide feature and the inner annular rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha Rathnasinghe, Shawn Tokairin, Jon Mcchesney
  • Publication number: 20240355667
    Abstract: An edge ring arrangement for a processing chamber includes a first ring configured to surround and overlap a radially outer edge of an upper plate of a pedestal arranged in the processing chamber, a second ring arranged below the first moveable ring, wherein a portion of the first ring overlaps the second ring, a first actuator configured to actuate a first pillar to selectively move the first ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal, and a second actuator configured to actuate a second pillar to selectively move the second ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Haoquan YAN, Robert Griffith O'NEILL, Raphael CASAES, Jon MCCHESNEY, Alex PATERSON
  • Patent number: 12027410
    Abstract: An edge ring arrangement for a processing chamber includes a first ring configured to surround and overlap a radially outer edge of an upper plate of a pedestal arranged in the processing chamber, a second ring arranged below the first moveable ring, wherein a portion of the first ring overlaps the second ring, a first actuator configured to actuate a first pillar to selectively move the first ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal, and a second actuator configured to actuate a second pillar to selectively move the second ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Haoquan Yan, Robert Griffith O'Neill, Raphael Casaes, Jon Mcchesney, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 11887819
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plasma processing device may include a dielectric window, a vacuum chamber, an energy source, and at least one air amplifier. The dielectric window may include a plasma exposed surface and an air exposed surface. The vacuum chamber and the plasma exposed surface of the dielectric window can cooperate to enclose a plasma processing gas. The energy source can transmit electromagnetic energy through the dielectric window and form an elevated temperature region in the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can be in fluid communication with the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can operate at a back pressure of at least about 1 in-H2O and can provide at least about 30 cfm of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jon McChesney, Saravanapriyan Sriraman, Richard A. Marsh, Alexander Miller Paterson, John Holland
  • Patent number: 11692732
    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: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Saravanapriyan Sriraman, John Drewery, Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 11605546
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing chamber. A pedestal is arranged in the processing chamber. An edge coupling ring is arranged adjacent to the pedestal and around a radially outer edge of the substrate. An actuator is configured to selectively move a first portion of the edge coupling ring relative to the substrate to alter an edge coupling profile of the edge coupling ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Publication number: 20230039721
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plasma processing device may include a dielectric window, a vacuum chamber, an energy source, and at least one air amplifier. The dielectric window may include a plasma exposed surface and an air exposed surface. The vacuum chamber and the plasma exposed surface of the dielectric window can cooperate to enclose a plasma processing gas. The energy source can transmit electromagnetic energy through the dielectric window and form an elevated temperature region in the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can be in fluid communication with the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can operate at a back pressure of at least about 1 in-H2O and can provide at least about 30 cfm of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jon MCCHESNEY, Saravanapriyan SRIRAMAN, Richard A. MARSH, Alexander Miller PATERSON, John HOLLAND
  • Patent number: 11495441
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plasma processing device may include a dielectric window, a vacuum chamber, an energy source, and at least one air amplifier. The dielectric window may include a plasma exposed surface and an air exposed surface. The vacuum chamber and the plasma exposed surface of the dielectric window can cooperate to enclose a plasma processing gas. The energy source can transmit electromagnetic energy through the dielectric window and form an elevated temperature region in the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can be in fluid communication with the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can operate at a back pressure of at least about 1 in-H2O and can provide at least about 30 cfm of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jon McChesney, Saravanapriyan Sriraman, Richard A. Marsh, Alexander Miller Paterson, John Holland
  • Publication number: 20220189744
    Abstract: A middle ring configured to be arranged on a bottom ring and to support a moveable edge ring and further configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support includes an upper surface that is stepped, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, a guide feature in the upper surface defining the annular outer diameter, an inner annular rim in the upper surface defining the annular inner diameter, and a groove defined in the upper surface between the guide feature and the inner annular rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha RATHNASINGHE, Shawn TOKAIRIN, Jon MCCHESNEY
  • Publication number: 20220189745
    Abstract: A bottom ring is configured to support a moveable edge ring that is configured to be raised and lowered relative to a substrate support. The bottom ring includes an upper surface that is stepped, an annular inner diameter, an annular outer diameter, a lower surface, a plurality of vertical guide channels provided through the bottom ring from the lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom ring, each of the guide channels including a first region having a smaller diameter than the guide channel and being configured to receive respective lift pins for raising and lowering the edge ring, and a guide feature extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Hiran Rajitha RATHNASINGHE, Shawn TOKAIRIN, Jon MCCHESNEY
  • Publication number: 20210183687
    Abstract: An edge ring arrangement for a processing chamber includes a first ring configured to surround and overlap a radially outer edge of an upper plate of a pedestal arranged in the processing chamber, a second ring arranged below the first moveable ring, wherein a portion of the first ring overlaps the second ring, a first actuator configured to actuate a first pillar to selectively move the first ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal, and a second actuator configured to actuate a second pillar to selectively move the second ring to a raised position and a lowered position relative to the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Haoquan Yan, Robert Griffith O'Neill, Raphael Casaes, Jon McChesney, Alex Paterson
  • Patent number: 11011353
    Abstract: A substrate support in a substrate processing system includes an inner portion arranged to support a substrate, an edge ring surrounding the inner portion, and a controller. The controller at least one of raises the edge ring to selectively cause the edge ring to engage the substrate and lowers the inner portion to selectively cause the edge ring to engage the substrate. The controller determines when the edge ring engages the substrate and calculates at least one characteristic of the substrate processing system based on the determination of when the edge ring engages the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus Musselman, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Jon McChesney
  • Patent number: 10957521
    Abstract: A system includes an image processing module configured to receive an image, captured by an imaging device, of a plasma environment within a substrate processing chamber during processing of a substrate and extract one or more features of the image indicative of a plasma sheath formed within the plasma environment during the processing of the substrate. A control module is configured to determine a plasma sheath profile based on the one or more features extracted from the image and selectively adjust at least one processing parameter related to the processing of the substrate based on the plasma sheath profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhou Wang, Michael John Martin, Jon Mcchesney, Alexander Miller Paterson
  • Publication number: 20210050188
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plasma processing device may include a dielectric window, a vacuum chamber, an energy source, and at least one air amplifier. The dielectric window may include a plasma exposed surface and an air exposed surface. The vacuum chamber and the plasma exposed surface of the dielectric window can cooperate to enclose a plasma processing gas. The energy source can transmit electromagnetic energy through the dielectric window and form an elevated temperature region in the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can be in fluid communication with the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can operate at a back pressure of at least about 1 in-H2O and can provide at least about 30 cfm of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jon MCCHESNEY, Saravanapriyan SRIRAMAN, Richard A. MARSH, Alexander Miller PATERSON, John HOLLAND
  • Patent number: 10825661
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a plasma processing device may include a dielectric window, a vacuum chamber, an energy source, and at least one air amplifier. The dielectric window may include a plasma exposed surface and an air exposed surface. The vacuum chamber and the plasma exposed surface of the dielectric window can cooperate to enclose a plasma processing gas. The energy source can transmit electromagnetic energy through the dielectric window and form an elevated temperature region in the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can be in fluid communication with the dielectric window. The at least one air amplifier can operate at a back pressure of at least about 1 in-H2O and can provide at least about 30 cfm of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jon McChesney, Saravanapriyan Sriraman, Richard A. Marsh, Alexander Miller Paterson, John Holland