Patents by Inventor Kenneth S. Collins

Kenneth S. Collins 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: 20250087477
    Abstract: Methods of depositing improved quality silicon nitride (SixNy) films are disclosed. Exemplary methods include exposing a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing chamber to a silicon-containing precursor, to a first plasma produced from a first gas mixture comprising helium (He) and nitrogen (N2), the first gas mixture comprising a ratio of helium:nitrogen in a range of from 20:1 to 1000:1, and exposing the semiconductor substrate to a second plasma produced from a second gas mixture comprising helium (He), nitrogen (N2), and ammonia (NH3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph AuBuchon, Kenneth S. Collins, Hanhong Chen, Philip A. Kraus, Michael Rice
  • Publication number: 20250000246
    Abstract: A retractor system is disclosed comprising a retractor and a clamp to mount the retractor in the desired location for use. In some embodiments, the retractor can be mounted to the clothing of the user, and different clamps can be used such as alligator clamps. The system according to the present invention allows for robust and reliable mounting of the retractor while allowing for some movement of the retractor housing during use to reduce wear on the line extending from the retractor housing. One retractor and clamping system according to the present invention comprising a retractor having a front and back surface, and at least one edge surface. A clamp is included that is arranged for attaching directly to a user's piece of clothing, wherein the clamp is integral to the retractor at one of the surfaces of the retractor and wherein the clamp extends beyond at least one edge surfaces with the clamp opening away from the retractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: JOHN A. SALENTINE, KENNETH S. COLLIN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240420921
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include immersed inductively coupled and capacitively coupled plasma excitation methods, apparatuses and processes for large area substrates. A process chamber includes a pedestal for supporting a workpiece in a processing volume, an array of inductive elements in a portion of the processing volume above the pedestal, and a chamber top or lid over the array of inductive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Tianhong Wang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Craig Anton Rosslee, Oscar Lopez, Michael Rice
  • Patent number: 12163218
    Abstract: A processing chamber includes a chamber body defining an interior volume and including an access port. A cathode assembly is configured to generate a plasma within the interior volume. A chamber liner includes one or more inner notch structures to engage with one or more components of the chamber body. The chamber liner is configured to move between a loading position and an operation position. When the chamber liner is in the loading position, the interior volume is accessible by the access port. When the chamber liner is in the operation position, the chamber liner at least partially encloses the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20240353053
    Abstract: A retractor system for personal articles comprising a retractor having a mounting mechanism for mounting to a user, with the retractor comprising a housing with a top surface, an internal spring, and an extendable line capable of extending from the housing through the retractor top surface. The internal spring urges retraction of the extendable line back in the retractor housing. An adaptor can be included that is integral to or mounted to a personal article, with the adaptor having an extension portion extending away from the personal article. The extendable line is attached to the adaptor or personal article such that when the line is retracted into the retractor, the extension portion is on the retractor's top surface. The retractor system can also comprise one or more magnets that provide a magnetic attraction between the personal article and the retractor to securely hold the personal article to the retractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: JOHN A. SALENTINE, KENNETH S. COLLIN, JR.
  • Patent number: 11935724
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Igor Markovsky, Zhigang Chen, James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Nipun Misra, Leonid Dorf, Zheng John Ye
  • Publication number: 20240083709
    Abstract: Retractor systems are disclosed that reduce the wear on the retractor line from repeated extensions and retractions. Some embodiments comprise a retractor system having a retractor with a retractor housing having a front surface. A line and a line retraction mechanism can be included within the housing, with the line retraction mechanism urging retraction of the line in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the front surface. A line opening is included in the front surface through which the line extends from the housing at a second direction that is different from the first direction. A personal article attached to the line, and an anti-friction mechanism is included at said line opening to provide a smooth surface upon which the line rides when extending from the housing. Some anti-friction mechanisms comprise an eyelet proximate to said line opening and having a smooth surface that can take many different shapes and sizes, such as a funnel or hour glass shaped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: JOHN A. SALENTINE, KENNETH S. COLLIN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240011153
    Abstract: A processing chamber includes a chamber body defining an interior volume and including an access port. A cathode assembly is configured to generate a plasma within the interior volume. A chamber liner includes one or more inner notch structures to engage with one or more components of the chamber body. The chamber liner is configured to move between a loading position and an operation position. When the chamber liner is in the loading position, the interior volume is accessible by the access port. When the chamber liner is in the operation position, the chamber liner at least partially encloses the interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11814724
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to chamber liners, processing chambers that include chamber liners, and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a method of operating a processing chamber includes causing a chamber liner within the processing chamber to move to a loading position to allow a substrate to be inserted through an access port of the processing chamber into an interior volume of the processing chamber. The method further includes causing the chamber liner to move to an operation position that blocks the access port after the substrate has been inserted into the interior volume. The method further includes generating a plasma using a cathode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11812844
    Abstract: Connector and retractor systems are disclosed with some embodiments comprising a retractor housing and a line within the retractor housing. The housing also has a hole from which the line extends, and a spring within the retractor housing which urges retraction of the line. A personal article can be attached to the line. A connector is included between the retractor housing and the personal article, with the connector having magnets to cause alignment of the personal article with the retractor housing when the personal article is retracted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventors: John A. Salentine, Kenneth S. Collin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11786030
    Abstract: Holstering retractor devices or systems for securing a device or instrument when not in use, such that the instrument does not have to be held or slid into a pocket. The systems are coupled with a retracting device, integrated into the holster, such that if said instrument or device pops out of holster, or is dropped while in use, it is not lost or damaged. The present invention is also directed to systems utilizing the holster retractors, such as vest system having the holster retractor mounted to the vests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: John A. Salentine, Kenneth S. Collin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230197406
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Igor Markovsky, Zhigang Chen, James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Nipun Misra, Leonid Dorf, Zheng John Ye
  • Publication number: 20230197495
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support for use in a substrate processing chamber includes: a pedestal having a first side configured to support a substrate and a second side opposite the first side; a plurality of substrate lift pins extending through the pedestal, wherein a plurality of first gaps are disposed between the plurality of substrate lift pins and respective ones of a plurality of substrate lift pin openings in the pedestal; and vacuum lines that extend from the plurality of substrate lift pin openings and that are configured to pump down the plurality of substrate lift pin openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: James David CARDUCCI, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Michael R. RICE, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Silverst Antony RODRIGUES, Yang YANG
  • Publication number: 20230175123
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to chamber liners, processing chambers that include chamber liners, and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a method of operating a processing chamber includes causing a chamber liner within the processing chamber to move to a loading position to allow a substrate to be inserted through an access port of the processing chamber into an interior volume of the processing chamber. The method further includes causing the chamber liner to move to an operation position that blocks the access port after the substrate has been inserted into the interior volume. The method further includes generating a plasma using a cathode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20230057145
    Abstract: A plasma treatment chamber comprises one or more sidewalls and a support surface within the sidewalls holds a workpiece. An array of individual gas injectors is distributed about the sidewalls. Pump ports are along the sidewalls to eject gas from the chamber. Aa etch rate uniformity of a material on the workpiece is controlled by: using the array gas injectors to inject one or more gas flows in across the workpiece; injecting a first gas flow from a first set of adjacent individual gas injectors to etch the materials on the workpiece; and simultaneously injecting a second gas flow from remaining gas injectors. The second gas flow either dilutes the first gas flow to reduce an area on the workpiece having a faster etch rate, or acts as an additional etchant to increase the etch rate in the area of the workpiece having the faster etch rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: DAISUKE SHIMIZU, Kenji Takeshita, James D. Carducci, Li Ling, Hikaru Watanabe, Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 11587766
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a capacitively coupled plasma source in which VHF power is applied through an impedance-matching coaxial resonator having a symmetrical power distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Igor Markovsky, Zhigang Chen, James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Nipun Misra, Leonid Dorf, Zheng John Ye
  • Patent number: 11499223
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to chamber liners, processing chambers that include chamber liners, and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, a processing chamber comprises a chamber body defining an interior volume and comprising an access port for inserting a substrate into the interior volume; a cathode assembly configured to generate a plasma within the interior volume; and a chamber liner comprising a smooth interior surface that is radially symmetric about a vertical axis of the chamber body. The chamber liner is configured to move between a loading position and an operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20220354240
    Abstract: Tool belts are disclosed that provided improved safety features and can be worn both as a conventional tool belts, but also have integral features that allow them to be mounted to structure (e.g. railing or fence) at a construction/work site when the tool belt is removed from the user. This allows the user to remove the belt during work to reduce fatigue and to reduce the danger that the belt will cause the user to be thrown off balance. The integral attachment mechanism allows the tool belt to be held in place near the worker so that the tools and supplies can be accessed and the tool belt will be held in place even if one of the tools falls. This eliminates the risk that the tool belt fall to the ground by the tool or by misplacement of the tool belt near a ledge. The tool belts according to the present invention can also include safety tethers or retractors for attachment to tools being used and stored in the tool belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: JOHN A. SALENTINE, KENNETH S. COLLIN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220295972
    Abstract: A retractor system for personal articles is disclosed that only allows for easy access to the personal article, but also provides for anti-swing mechanisms that prevent swinging of the personal article when it is not in use. One such retractor system comprises a garment with a retractor mounted to the garment. The retractor comprising a housing with an internal spring and a line capable of extending from the housing, with the spring urging retraction of the line back in the housing. The line passing through an opening in the housing and comprising an attachment mechanism for attaching to a personal article. A stop is also included on the line, wherein the stop prevents a portion of the line from retracting into the housing, with the personal article hanging from the retractor when not in use. A holding feature, such as a magnet, is included to hold the personal article against the garment when not in use, with the holding feature preventing swinging of the personal article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: John Salentine, Kenneth S. Collin, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220293397
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrates supports for use in process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: a dielectric plate having a first side configured to support a substrate having a given diameter and including an annular groove disposed in the first side, wherein the annular groove has an inner diameter that is less than the given diameter and an outer diameter that is greater than the given diameter, wherein the dielectric plate includes a chucking electrode; an insert ring disposed in the annular groove of the dielectric plate; and an edge ring disposed on the dielectric plate, wherein the edge ring has an inner diameter that is greater than the given diameter and less than the outer diameter of the annular groove such that the edge ring is disposed over a portion of the insert ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. RICE, Kenneth S. COLLINS, James David CARDUCCI, Shahid RAUF, Kartik RAMASWAMY