Patents by Inventor Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez 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).
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Patent number: 11643725Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Publication number: 20230123089Abstract: A faceplate for a substrate process chamber comprises a first and second surface. The second surface is shaped such that the second surface includes a peak and a distance between the first and second surface varies across the width of the faceplate. The second surface of the faceplate is exposed to a processing volume of the process chamber. Further, the faceplate may be part of a lid assembly for the process chamber. The lid assembly may include a blocker plate facing the first surface of the faceplate. A distance between the blocker plate and the first surface is constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Shailendra SRIVASTAVA, Sai Susmita ADDEPALLI, Nikhil Sudhindrarao JORAPUR, Daemian Raj Benjamin RAJ, Amit Kumar BANSAL, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ, Gregory Eugene CHICHKANOFF, Xinhai HAN, Masaki OGATA, Kristopher ENSLOW, Wenjiao WANG
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Patent number: 11613812Abstract: A method of processing a substrate according to a PECVD process is described. Temperature profile of the substrate is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Plasma density profile is adjusted to change deposition rate profile across the substrate. Chamber surfaces exposed to the plasma are heated to improve plasma density uniformity and reduce formation of low quality deposits on chamber surfaces. In situ metrology may be used to monitor progress of a deposition process and trigger control actions involving substrate temperature profile, plasma density profile, pressure, temperature, and flow of reactants.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Nagarajan Rajagopalan, Xinhai Han, Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Masaki Ogata, Zhijun Jiang, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Thomas Nowak, Jianhua Zhou, Ramprakash Sankarakrishnan, Amit Kumar Bansal, Jeongmin Lee, Todd Egan, Edward Budiarto, Dmitriy Panasyuk, Terrance Y. Lee, Jian J. Chen, Mohamad A. Ayoub, Heung Lak Park, Patrick Reilly, Shahid Shaikh, Bok Hoen Kim, Sergey Starik, Ganesh Balasubramanian
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Patent number: 11594440Abstract: A method reduces differences in chucking forces that are applied by two electrodes of an electrostatic chuck, to a substrate disposed atop the chuck. The method includes providing initial chucking voltages to each of the two electrodes, and measuring an initial current provided to at least a first electrode of the two electrodes. The method further includes initiating a process that affects a DC voltage of the substrate, then measuring a modified current provided to at least the first electrode, and determining, based at least on the initial current and the modified current, a modified chucking voltage for a selected one of the two electrodes, that will reduce chucking force imbalance across the substrate. The method also includes providing the modified chucking voltage to the selected one of the two electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jian Li, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Dmitry A. Dzilno
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Publication number: 20230054444Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a lid plate seated on the chamber body. The lid plate may define a plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks equal to a number of the plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of substrate support assemblies equal to the number of apertures defined through the lid plate. Each assembly may be disposed in one of the processing regions and may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface that defines a substrate seat. Each assembly may include a heater embedded within the chuck body. Each assembly may include bipolar electrodes between the heater and the substrate support surface. Each assembly may include a conductive mesh embedded within the body between the heater and bipolar electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jian Li, Edward P. Hammond, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Wenhao Zhang
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Patent number: 11587817Abstract: Exemplary support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface. The substrate support assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The substrate support assemblies may include a heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. The substrate support assemblies may include a first bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body between the heater and the substrate support surface. The first bipolar electrode may include at least two separated mesh sections, with each mesh section characterized by a circular sector shape. The substrate support assemblies may include a second bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body between the heater and the substrate support surface. The second bipolar electrode may include a continuous mesh extending through the at least two separated mesh sections of the first bipolar electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jian Li, Zheng J. Ye, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Publication number: 20230047451Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to isolator devices, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a substrate processing chamber includes an isolator ring disposed between a pedestal and a pumping liner. The isolator ring includes a first surface that faces the pedestal, the first surface being disposed at a gap from an outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The isolator ring also includes a second surface that faces the pumping liner and a protrusion that protrudes from the first surface of the isolator ring and towards the outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The protrusion defines a necked portion of the gap between the pedestal and the isolator ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Nitin PATHAK, Amit Kumar BANSAL, Tuan Anh NGUYEN, Thomas RUBIO, Badri N. RAMAMURTHI, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ
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Patent number: 11574825Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a semiconductor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a processing system for semiconductor processing is disclosed. The processing chamber includes two transfer chambers, a processing chamber, and a rotation module. The processing chamber is coupled to the transfer chamber. The rotation module is positioned between the transfer chambers. The rotation module is configured to rotate the substrate. The transfer chambers are configured to transfer the substrate between the processing chamber and the transfer chamber. In another embodiment, a method for processing a substrate on the apparatus is disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Tuan Anh Nguyen, Amit Kumar Bansal, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Publication number: 20230011261Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface that defines a substrate seat. The substrate support assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The substrate support assemblies may include an upper heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. The upper heater may include a center heater zone and one or more annular heater zones that are concentric with the center heating zone. The substrate support assemblies may include a lower heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body at a position below the upper heater. The lower heater may include a plurality of arcuate heater zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jian Li, Edward P. Hammond, Vidyadharan Srinivasamurthy, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Publication number: 20220403520Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to ground path systems providing a shorter and symmetrical path for radio frequency (RF) energy to propagate to a ground to reduce generation of the parasitic plasma. The ground path system bifurcates the processing volume of the chamber to form an inner volume that isolates an outer volume of the processing volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Tuan Anh NGUYEN, Jason M. SCHALLER, Edward P. HAMMOND, IV, David BLAHNIK, Tejas ULAVI, Amit Kumar BANSAL, Sanjeev BALUJA, Jun MA, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ
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Patent number: 11532463Abstract: A processing chamber may include a gas distribution member, a metal ring member below the gas distribution member, and an isolating assembly coupled with the metal ring member and isolating the metal ring member from the gas distribution member. The isolating assembly may include an outer isolating member coupled with the metal ring member. The outer isolating member may at least in part define a chamber wall. The isolating assembly may further include an inner isolating member coupled with the outer isolating member. The inner isolating member may be disposed radially inward from the metal ring member about an central axis of the processing chamber. The inner isolating member may define a plurality of openings configured to provide fluid access into a radial gap between the metal ring member and the inner isolating member.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Vinay K. Prabhakar, Bushra Afzal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Patent number: 11530482Abstract: A faceplate for a substrate process chamber comprises a first and second surface. The second surface is shaped such that the second surface includes a peak and a distance between the first and second surface varies across the width of the faceplate. The second surface of the faceplate is exposed to a processing volume of the process chamber. Further, the faceplate may be part of a lid assembly for the process chamber. The lid assembly may include a blocker plate facing the first surface of the faceplate. A distance between the blocker plate and the first surface is constant.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Shailendra Srivastava, Sai Susmita Addepalli, Nikhil Sudhindrarao Jorapur, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Amit Kumar Bansal, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Gregory Eugene Chichkanoff, Xinhai Han, Masaki Ogata, Kristopher Enslow, Wenjiao Wang
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Patent number: 11501993Abstract: Exemplary support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may include a heater embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may also include an electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body between the heater and the substrate support surface. The substrate support assemblies may be characterized by a leakage current through the electrostatic chuck body of less than or about 4 mA at a temperature of greater than or about 500° C. and a voltage of greater than or about 600 V.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jian Li, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Zheng John Ye, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Shailendra Srivastava, Xinhai Han, Deenesh Padhi, Kesong Hu, Chuan Ying Wang
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Patent number: 11492705Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to isolator devices, components thereof, and methods associated therewith for substrate processing chambers. In one implementation, a substrate processing chamber includes an isolator ring disposed between a pedestal and a pumping liner. The isolator ring includes a first surface that faces the pedestal, the first surface being disposed at a gap from an outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The isolator ring also includes a second surface that faces the pumping liner and a protrusion that protrudes from the first surface of the isolator ring and towards the outer circumferential surface of the pedestal. The protrusion defines a necked portion of the gap between the pedestal and the isolator ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Amit Kumar Bansal, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Thomas Rubio, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Publication number: 20220351951Abstract: Aspects generally relate to substrate support apparatus and systems having elevated surfaces for heat transfer between the elevated surfaces and a substrate, and the methods of using the same. In one aspect, the elevated surfaces are disposed between a recessed surface and a plurality of support surfaces of a plurality of support protrusions that extend from the recessed surface. In one aspect, the elevated surfaces are disposed between a base surface and a plurality of support surfaces of a plurality of support protrusions that extend from the base surface. During a substrate processing operation, heat is transferred to the substrate through a plurality of cavities disposed between the elevated surfaces and a backside surface of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Jian LI, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ, Chidambara A. RAMALINGAM
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Publication number: 20220307135Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support including a top surface. A peripheral edge region of the top surface may be recessed relative to a medial region of the top surface. The chambers may include a pumping liner disposed about an exterior surface of the substrate support. The chambers may include a liner disposed between the substrate support and the pumping liner. The liner may be spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a purge lumen between the liner and the substrate support. The chambers may include an edge ring seated on the peripheral edge region. The edge ring may extend beyond a peripheral edge of the substrate support and above a portion of the liner. A gap may be formed between a bottom surface of the edge ring and a top surface of the liner. The gap and the purge lumen may be fluidly coupled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Nitin Pathak, Tuan A. Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Badri N. Ramamurthi, Thomas Rubio, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
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Patent number: 11456197Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for causing a factory interface of an electronic device manufacturing system to be moveable between a first position and a second position. An electronic device manufacturing system can include a transfer chamber, processing chambers connected to the transfer chamber, a load lock connected to the transfer chamber, and a factory interface connected to the load lock. The factory interface can be moveable between a first position and a second position. The factory interface, while oriented in the first position, is positioned for transfer of one or more substrates between the factory interface and the load lock, where at least one of the transfer chamber or the load lock are inaccessible for maintenance while the factory interface is oriented at the first position. The factory interface, while oriented in the second position, is positioned to provide maintenance access to at least one of the transfer chamber or the load lock.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
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Patent number: 11434568Abstract: An apparatus for distributing a gas within a process chamber is disclosed. The apparatus has a body formed from a distribution portion surrounded by a coupling portion. A heater is disposed within the distribution portion to heat the body to an elevated temperature. A bridge extends between the coupling portion and the distribution portion. The bridge limits heat transfer between the distribution portion and the coupling portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, David H. Quach
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Publication number: 20220181120Abstract: In some embodiments, the semiconductor process apparatus comprises a conductive support comprising mesh, a conductive shaft comprising a conductive rod, and a plurality of connection elements. The plurality of connection elements are coupled to the mesh in parallel and are connected to the rod at a single junction. The plurality of connection elements help spread RF current, reducing localized heating in the substrate, resulting in a more uniform film deposition. Additionally, using connection elements that are merged and coupled to a single RF rod allow for the rod to be made of materials that can conduct RF current at lower temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Jun MA, Jian LI, David H. QUACH, Amit Kumar BANSAL, Juan Carlos ROCHA-ALVAREZ
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Publication number: 20220170151Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems include a processing chamber defining a processing region. The semiconductor processing systems may include a foreline coupled with the processing chamber. The foreline may define a fluid conduit. The semiconductor processing systems may include a foreline trap coupled with a distal end of the foreline. The semiconductor processing systems may include a removable insert provided within an interior of the foreline trap. The semiconductor processing systems may include a throttle valve coupled with the foreline trap downstream of the removable insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Gaosheng Fu, Tuan A Nguyen, Amit Bansal, Karthik Janakiraman, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez