Patents by Inventor Keith Edward Ypma

Keith Edward Ypma 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: 20230279576
    Abstract: A method of plating substrates may include placing a substrate in a plating chamber comprising a liquid, and applying a current to the liquid in the plating chamber to deposit a metal on exposed portions of the substrate, where the current may include alternating cycles of a forward plating current and a reverse deplating current. To determine the current characteristics, a model of a substrate may be simulated during the plating process to generate data points that relate characteristics of the plating process and a pattern on the substrate to a range nonuniformity of material formed on the substrate during the plating process. Using information from the data points, values for the forward and reverse currents may be derived and provided to the plating chamber to execute the plating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Charles Sharbono, Jing Xu, John L. Klocke, Sam K. Lee, Keith Edward Ypma
  • Publication number: 20230167575
    Abstract: Electrochemical deposition systems and methods are described that have enhanced crystallization prevention features. The systems may include a bath vessel operable to hold an electrochemical deposition fluid having a metal salt dissolved in water. The systems may also include sensors including a thermometer and concentration sensor operable to measure characteristics of the electrochemical deposition fluid. The systems further include a computer configured to perform operations that include receiving system data from the electrochemical system and generating a control signal to change a characteristic of the electrochemical deposition fluid to prevent crystallization of a metal salt in the fluid. The computer generates the control signal based on processing that may include comparing an actual metal salt concentration in the electrochemical deposition fluid to a theoretical solubility limit for the metal salt in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwan Wook Roh, Xundong Dai, Keith Edward Ypma, Scott A. Wehrmann