Patents by Inventor Keith Comendant

Keith Comendant 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).

  • Publication number: 20230253193
    Abstract: A substrate support for a substrate processing system includes a baseplate and a spray coat layer arranged on the baseplate. The spray coat layer has a first thickness and a first thermal conductivity. A bond layer is arranged on the spray coat layer. The bond layer has a second thickness and a second thermal conductivity. A ceramic layer is arranged on the bond layer. At least one of the first thickness and the second thickness varies in at least one of a radial direction and an azimuthal direction such that a third thermal conductivity between the ceramic layer and the baseplate varies in the at least one of the radial direction and the azimuthal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Jeremy George SMITH, Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Eric SAMULON, Keith COMENDANT, Yixuan YU
  • Publication number: 20230075462
    Abstract: An edge ring system comprising a substrate support configured to support a substrate during plasma processing and including a baseplate and an upper layer arranged on the baseplate. An edge ring support includes a first body and an electrostatic clamping electrode arranged in the first body. The edge ring support is arranged above the baseplate and radially outside of the substrate during processing. An edge ring includes a second body arranged on and electrostatically clamped to the edge ring support during plasma processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Keith COMENDANT, Adam Christopher MACE, Darrell EHRLICH, John HOLLAND, Felix Leib KOZAKEVICH, Alexei MARAKHTANOV
  • Publication number: 20220223387
    Abstract: A spark suppression apparatus for a helium line in an electrostatic chuck in a plasma processing chamber is provided. The spark suppression apparatus comprises a dielectric multilumen plug in the helium line, wherein the dielectric multilumen plug has a plurality of lumens, wherein the plurality of lumens are numbered between 30 to 100,000 lumens and have a width of between 1 micron and 200 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Keith COMENDANT, Darrell EHRLICH, Eric SAMULON
  • Patent number: 11302556
    Abstract: A substrate support for control of a temperature of a semiconductor substrate supported thereon during plasma processing of the semiconductor substrate includes a temperature-controlled base having a top surface, a metal plate, and a film heater. The film heater is a thin and flexible polyimide heater film with a plurality of independently controlled resistive heating elements thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate. The film heater is electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive bonds the metal plate and the film heater to the top surface of the temperature-controlled base. A layer of dielectric material is bonded to a top surface of the metal plate with a second layer of adhesive. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism for supporting the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 10804129
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck assembly for processing a semiconductor substrate is provided. The electrostatic chuck assembly includes a first layer, a baseplate, a second layer, and at least one annular gasket. The first layer includes ceramic material and a first radio frequency (RF) electrode. The first RF electrode is embedded in the ceramic material. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the baseplate. The at least one annular gasket extends along an upper surface of the baseplate and through the second layer. The at least one annular gasket electrically couples the upper surface of the baseplate to the first RF electrode. RF power passes from the baseplate to the first RF electrode through the at least one annular gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Kimball, Keith Gaff, Alexander Matyushkin, Zhigang Chen, Keith Comendant
  • Patent number: 10770363
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20200251370
    Abstract: A substrate support for control of a temperature of a semiconductor substrate supported thereon during plasma processing of the semiconductor substrate includes a temperature-controlled base having a top surface, a metal plate, and a film heater. The film heater is a thin and flexible polyimide heater film with a plurality of independently controlled resistive heating elements thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate. The film heater is electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive bonds the metal plate and the film heater to the top surface of the temperature-controlled base. A layer of dielectric material is bonded to a top surface of the metal plate with a second layer of adhesive. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism for supporting the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 10720346
    Abstract: A substrate support in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable thermal zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the thermal zones. A substrate support in which the substrate support is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the substrate support include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having thermal zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Patent number: 10636689
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 10236193
    Abstract: A substrate support is provided, is configured to support a substrate in a plasma processing chamber, and includes first, second and third insulative layers, conduits and leads. The first insulative layer includes heater zones arranged in rows and columns. The second insulative layer includes conductive vias. First ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to the heater zones. Second ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to power supply lines. The third insulative layer includes power return lines. The conduits extend through the second insulative layer and into the third insulative layer. The leads extend through the conduits and connect to the heater zones. The heater zones are connected to the power return lines by the leads and are configured to heat corresponding portions of the substrate to provide a predetermined temperature profile across the substrate during processing of the substrate in the plasma processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20180374763
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Publication number: 20180286642
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. A first coolant gas pressure system, a second coolant gas pressure system, a third coolant gas pressure system, and a fourth coolant gas pressure system are provided to provide independent gas pressures. An electrostatic chuck has a chuck surface with a center point and a radius and comprises a first plurality of coolant gas ports further than a first radius from a center point, a second plurality of coolant gas ports spaced between the first radius from the center point and a second radius from the center point, a third plurality of coolant gas ports spaced between the second radius from the center point and a third radius from the center point, and a fourth plurality of coolant gas ports is spaced within the third radius from the center point. An outer sealing band extends around the chuck surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander MATYUSHKIN, John Patrick HOLLAND, Mark H. WILCOXSON, Keith COMENDANT, Taner OZEL, Fangli HAO
  • Publication number: 20180277412
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck assembly for processing a semiconductor substrate is provided. The electrostatic chuck assembly includes a first layer, a baseplate, a second layer, and at least one annular gasket. The first layer includes ceramic material and a first radio frequency (RF) electrode. The first RF electrode is embedded in the ceramic material. The second layer is disposed between the first layer and the baseplate. The at least one annular gasket extends along an upper surface of the baseplate and through the second layer. The at least one annular gasket electrically couples the upper surface of the baseplate to the first RF electrode. RF power passes from the baseplate to the first RF electrode through the at least one annular gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher KIMBALL, Keith GAFF, Alexander MATYUSHKIN, Zhigang CHEN, Keith COMENDANT
  • Patent number: 10056225
    Abstract: A plasma etching system having a substrate support assembly with multiple independently controllable heater zones. The plasma etching system is configured to control etching temperature of predetermined locations so that pre-etch and/or post-etch non-uniformity of critical device parameters can be compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Harmeet Singh, Keith Comendant, Vahid Vahedi
  • Patent number: 10049948
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a heater array comprising thermal control elements operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, the thermal control elements defining heater zones each of which is powered by two or more power supply lines and two or more power return lines wherein each power supply line is connected to at least two of the heater zones and each power return line is connected to at least two of the heater zones. A power distribution circuit is mated to a baseplate of the substrate support, the power distribution circuit being connected to each power supply line and power return line of the heater array. A switching device is connected to the power distribution circuit to independently provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith William Gaff, Tom Anderson, Keith Comendant, Ralph Jan-Pin Lu, Paul Robertson, Eric A. Pape, Neil Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10002782
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus for processing substrates comprises a processing chamber in which a substrate is processed. A process gas source is adapted to supply process gas into the processing chamber. A RF energy source is adapted to energize the process gas into a plasma state in the processing chamber. A vacuum source is adapted to exhaust byproducts of the processing from the processing chamber. The processing chamber includes an electrostatic chuck assembly having a layer of ceramic material that includes an upper electrostatic clamping electrode and at least one RF electrode, a temperature controlled RF powered baseplate, and at least one annular electrically conductive gasket extending along an outer portion of an upper surface of the temperature controlled RF powered baseplate. The at least one annular electrically conductive gasket electrically couples the upper surface of the temperature controlled RF powered baseplate to the at least one RF electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Kimball, Keith Gaff, Alexander Matyushkin, Zhigang Chen, III, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20170229327
    Abstract: A substrate support is provided, is configured to support a substrate in a plasma processing chamber, and includes first, second and third insulative layers, conduits and leads. The first insulative layer includes heater zones arranged in rows and columns. The second insulative layer includes conductive vias. First ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to the heater zones. Second ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to power supply lines. The third insulative layer includes power return lines. The conduits extend through the second insulative layer and into the third insulative layer. The leads extend through the conduits and connect to the heater zones. The heater zones are connected to the power return lines by the leads and are configured to heat corresponding portions of the substrate to provide a predetermined temperature profile across the substrate during processing of the substrate in the plasma processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Patent number: 9646861
    Abstract: A heating plate for use in a substrate support is configured to provide temperature profile control of a substrate supported on the substrate support in a vacuum chamber of a substrate processing apparatus. The heating plate includes an independently controllable heater zones operable to tune a temperature profile on an upper surface of the heating plate. The heater zones are each powered by two or more power lines wherein each power line is electrically connected to a different group of the heater zones and each respective heater zone is electrically connected to a different pair of power lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20160300741
    Abstract: A substrate support in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable thermal zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the thermal zones. A substrate support in which the substrate support is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the substrate support include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having thermal zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Patent number: 9392643
    Abstract: An exemplary method for manufacturing a heating plate for a substrate support assembly includes forming holes in at least one sheet, printing a slurry of conductor powder, or pressing a precut metal foil, or spraying a slurry of conductor powder, on the at least one sheet to form the planar heater zones, the power supply lines, and power return lines. The holes in the at least one sheet are filled with a slurry of conductor powder to form power supply and power return vias. The sheets are then aligned, pressed, and bonded to form the heating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant