Patents by Inventor Kevin Fairbairn

Kevin Fairbairn 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: 10707055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a plasma processing chamber including a source to produce a plasma in the processing chamber and at least two bias electrodes arranged within the plasma processing chamber to control plasma sheaths proximate to the bias electrodes. A chuck is disposed to support a substrate, and a source generator is coupled to the plasma electrode. At least one bias supply is coupled to the at least two bias electrodes, and a controller is included to control the at least one bias supply to control the plasma sheaths proximate to the bias electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Shaw, Kevin Fairbairn, Daniel Carter
  • Publication number: 20200203128
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. A method includes applying pulsed power to a plasma processing chamber with an excitation source during a first processing step with a first duty cycle and applying, during the first processing step, an asymmetric periodic voltage waveform to a substrate support to produce a first plasma sheath voltage between a substrate and a plasma. Pulsed power is applied to the plasma processing chamber with the excitation source during a second processing step with a second duty cycle and during the second processing step, a different asymmetric periodic voltage waveform is applied to the substrate support to produce a different plasma sheath voltage between the substrate and the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw, Daniel Carter
  • Patent number: 10607813
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. A method includes applying power to a plasma processing chamber during a first processing step and generating, during the first processing step, a first plasma sheath voltage between a substrate and a plasma. During a second processing step (that follows the first processing step), power is applied to the plasma processing chamber and a different plasma sheath voltage is applied between the substrate and the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw, Daniel Carter
  • Publication number: 20190172685
    Abstract: Plasma processing systems and methods are disclosed. The method includes generating and sustaining a plasma in a plasma chamber and producing a surface potential on a surface of a workpiece in the plasma chamber by applying, with a bias supply, an output waveform to a bias electrode within the plasma chamber where the output waveform has a repetition period, T. A waveform dataset is produced to represent the output waveform of the bias supply during the repetition period, T, and the waveform dataset is sent to one or more other pieces of equipment connected to the plasma chamber. A synchronization pulse with a synchronization-pulse-repetition-period is sent to the one or more other pieces of equipment connected to the plasma chamber to enable synchronization among the one or more other pieces of equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Gideon Van Zyl, Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw
  • Publication number: 20190157041
    Abstract: Plasma processing systems and methods are disclosed. The system may include at least one modulating supply that modulates plasma properties where the modulation of the plasma properties has a repetition period, T. A synchronization module configured to send a synchronization signal with a synchronization-signal-repetition-period that is an integer multiple of T to at least one piece of equipment connected to the plasma processing system. A waveform-communication module communicates characteristics of a characterized waveform to at least one piece of equipment connected to the plasma system to enable synchronization of pieces of equipment connected to the plasma processing system. The characterized waveform may contain information about the modulation of the plasma or information about a desired waveform of a piece of equipment connected to the plasma processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Gideon Van Zyl, Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw
  • Publication number: 20190157040
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. A method includes applying power to a plasma processing chamber during a first processing step and generating, during the first processing step, a first plasma sheath voltage between a substrate and a plasma. During a second processing step (that follows the first processing step), power is applied to the plasma processing chamber and a different plasma sheath voltage is applied between the substrate and the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw, Daniel Carter
  • Publication number: 20190157043
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a plasma processing chamber including a source to produce a plasma in the processing chamber and at least two bias electrodes arranged within the plasma processing chamber to control plasma sheaths proximate to the bias electrodes. A chuck is disposed to support a substrate, and a source generator is coupled to the plasma electrode. At least one bias supply is coupled to the at least two bias electrodes, and a controller is included to control the at least one bias supply to control the plasma sheaths proximate to the bias electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Denis Shaw, Kevin Fairbairn, Daniel Carter
  • Publication number: 20190157042
    Abstract: Plasma processing systems and methods are disclosed. The method may include modulating plasma properties with a modulating supply where the modulation of the plasma properties has a repetition period, T. A waveform with the repetition period T is characterized to produce a waveform dataset, which includes at least one of information about the modulation of the plasma or a desired waveform of a piece of equipment connected to the plasma processing system. The waveform dataset is sent to at least one piece of equipment connected to the plasma system and a synchronization signal is sent with a synchronization signal repetition period that is an integer multiple of T to the at least one piece of equipment connected to the plasma system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Gideon Van Zyl, Kevin Fairbairn, Denis Shaw
  • Patent number: 7655092
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for vacuum processing generally comprising an enclosure having a plurality of isolated chambers formed therein, a gas distribution assembly disposed in each processing chamber, a gas source connected to the plurality of isolated chambers, and a power supply connected to each gas distribution assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Jessica Barzilai, Hari K. Ponnekanti, W. N. (Nick) Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080105202
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for vacuum processing generally comprising an enclosure having a plurality of isolated chambers formed therein, a gas distribution assembly disposed in each processing chamber, a gas source connected to the plurality of isolated chambers, and a power supply connected to each gas distribution assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Jessica Barzilai, Hari Ponnekanti, W.N. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7335462
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher S Ngai, Ian Scot Latchford, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Yuxiang May Wang
  • Publication number: 20070128538
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: KEVIN FAIRBAIRN, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher Ngai, Ian Latchford, Christopher Bencher, Yuxiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7223526
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher S Ngai, Ian Scot Latchford, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Yuxiang May Wang
  • Publication number: 20060138322
    Abstract: Backthinning in an area selective manner is applied to CMOS imaging sensors 12 for use in electron bombarded active pixel array devices. A further arrangement results in an array of collimators 51 aligned with pixels 42 or groups of pixels of an active pixel array providing improved image contrast of such image sensor. Provision of a thin P-doped layer 52 on the illuminated rear surface provides both a diffusion barrier resulting in improved resolution and a functional shield for reference pixels. A gradient in concentration of P-doped layer 52 optimizes electron collection at the pixel array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Costello, Kevin Fairbairn, David Brown, Yun Chung, Patricia Gober, Edward Yin
  • Publication number: 20060102078
    Abstract: Described is a method for manufacturing wafers and a manufacturing system in which the footprint is substantially contained in a size approximating the processing chambers. Single wafers move horizontally through the system and processing occurs simultaneously in groups of processing chambers. Various manufacturing processes employed in making semiconductor wafers are included as processing chambers in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Hari Ponnekanti, Christopher Lane, Robert Weiss, Ian Latchford, Terry Bluck
  • Publication number: 20050112509
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher Ngai, Ian Latchford, Christopher Bencher, Yuxiang Wang
  • Patent number: 6841341
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher S Ngai, Ian Scot Latchford, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Yuxiang May Wang
  • Publication number: 20040069225
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for vacuum processing generally comprising an enclosure having a plurality of isolated chambers formed therein, a gas distribution assembly disposed in each processing chamber, a gas source connected to the plurality of isolated chambers, and a power supply connected to each gas distribution assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Jessica Barzilai, Hari K. Ponnekanti, W.N. (Nick) Taylor
  • Patent number: 6635115
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for vacuum processing generally comprising an enclosure having a plurality of isolated chambers formed therein, a gas distribution assembly disposed in each processing chamber, a gas source connected to the plurality of isolated chambers, and a power supply connected to each gas distribution assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Jessica Barzilai, Hari K. Ponnekanti, W. N. (Nick) Taylor
  • Patent number: 6573030
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit using an amorphous carbon film. The amorphous carbon film is formed by thermally decomposing a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon compound and an inert gas. The amorphous carbon film is compatible with integrated circuit fabrication processes. In one integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is used as a hardmask. In another integrated circuit fabrication process, the amorphous carbon film is an anti-reflective coating (ARC) for deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography. In yet another integrated circuit fabrication process, a multi-layer amorphous carbon anti-reflective coating is used for DUV lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Fairbairn, Michael Rice, Timothy Weidman, Christopher S Ngai, Ian Scot Latchford, Christopher Dennis Bencher, Yuxiang May Wang