Patents by Inventor Kippei SUGITA

Kippei SUGITA 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: 11869752
    Abstract: A transfer system configured to transfer a focus ring includes a processing system and a position detection system. The processing system includes a processing apparatus including a chamber main body and a placing table having a substrate placing region and a focus ring placing region; and a transfer device configured to transfer the focus ring. The position detection system includes a light source; multiple optical elements configured to output light and receive reflected light; a driving unit configured to move each optical element to allow each optical element to scan a scanning range; and a controller configured to calculate, based on the reflected light in the scanning range, a positional relationship between the placing table and the focus ring for each optical element. The transfer device is configured to adjust a transfer position of the focus ring onto the focus ring placing region based on the calculated positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Patent number: 11817335
    Abstract: A system configured to inspect a processing apparatus includes a temperature adjusting device configured to adjust a temperature of a component within a processing chamber of the processing apparatus; a light source configured to emit measurement light; multiple optical elements configured to output the measurement light emitted from the light source to the component within the processing chamber of the processing apparatus as output light and configured to receive reflected light from the component during a temperature adjustment of the component by the temperature adjusting device; and a controller configured to measure temperatures of the component at measurement points respectively corresponding to the multiple optical elements based on the reflected light, and make a determination upon abnormality of the processing apparatus based on comparisons of the temperatures of the component at the respective measurement points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Patent number: 11735402
    Abstract: A measurement method includes: (a) measuring an emission intensity for each wavelength of light detected from a plasma generated in a plasma processing apparatus at each different exposure time by a light receiving element; (b) specifying, with respect to each of a plurality of different individual wavelength ranges that constitutes a predetermined wavelength range, a distribution of the emission intensity in the individual wavelength range measured at an exposure time at which an emission intensity of a predetermined wavelength included in the individual wavelength range becomes an emission intensity within a predetermined range; (c) selecting a distribution of the emission intensity in the individual wavelength range from the distribution of the emission intensity specified in (b); and (d) outputting the distribution of the emission intensity selected for each individual wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Kubo, Kippei Sugita, Yuhei Shimatsu
  • Patent number: 11604097
    Abstract: A calibration method includes placing an LED light source having a given wavelength range inside a reference apparatus; acquiring first data as an emission intensity of light at a wavelength, a light amount of the light being adjusted in stages by changing the light amount output from the LED light source; storing the first data in a memory; placing the LED light source in a calibration target apparatus; acquiring second data as an emission intensity of light at a wavelength, a light amount of the light being adjusted in the stages by changing the light amount output from the LED light source; and calculating a calibration formula based on the first data stored in the memory and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Hana Sasaki, Kaoru Inaba, Mitsuru Dohiwa, Takashi Niinuma, Hikaru Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20220406579
    Abstract: A measurement method includes: (a) measuring an emission intensity for each wavelength of light detected from a plasma generated in a plasma processing apparatus at each different exposure time by a light receiving element; (b) specifying, with respect to each of a plurality of different individual wavelength ranges that constitutes a predetermined wavelength range, a distribution of the emission intensity in the individual wavelength range measured at an exposure time at which an emission intensity of a predetermined wavelength included in the individual wavelength range becomes an emission intensity within a predetermined range; (c) selecting a distribution of the emission intensity in the individual wavelength range from the distribution of the emission intensity specified in (b); and (d) outputting the distribution of the emission intensity selected for each individual wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takashi KUBO, Kippei SUGITA, Yuhei SHIMATSU
  • Patent number: 11513194
    Abstract: A ranging apparatus for use in a plasma processing chamber having an internal space and a window is disclosed. The ranging apparatus includes at least one external light emitting device disposed external to the plasma processing chamber. The external light emitting device emits at least one source light beam to the internal space through the window. The ranging apparatus includes a base wafer disposed on a stage in the internal space. The ranging apparatus includes at least one optical circuit fixed to the base wafer. The optical circuit deflects the source light beam to a target in the internal space, and deflects a reflection light beam to the window. The ranging apparatus includes at least one external light receiving device disposed external to the plasma processing chamber. The external light receiving device receives the deflected reflection light beam through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Publication number: 20220341844
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus for calibrating an emission spectroscopy analyzer that monitors plasma generated in a plasma processing apparatus. The calibration apparatus comprises a base substrate; a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on the base substrate, each light emitting device of the plurality of light emitting devices is configured to emit light having different wavelengths from other light emitting devices of the plurality of light emitting devices; a reflector disposed on the base substrate, the reflector configured to reflect the light emitted by the plurality of light emitting devices toward an outside of the base substrate in a plan view; and a control device disposed on the base substrate, the control device configured to control the plurality of light emitting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yuto USUKI, Kippei SUGITA, Mitsuru DOHIWA, Takashi NIINUMA, Hisanori SAKAI
  • Patent number: 11380568
    Abstract: A transfer method according to an exemplary embodiment includes: transferring a focus ring onto a stage by a transfer unit; transferring a measuring instrument into an inner region of the transferred focus ring and onto an electrostatic chuck; acquiring a measurement value group by the transferred measuring instrument; and adjusting a transfer position of the focus ring by the transfer unit such that the central position of the electrostatic chuck and the central position of the focus ring coincide with each other based on the measurement value group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Daisuke Kawano, Yoshihiro Yanagi
  • Publication number: 20210391195
    Abstract: An execution device according to exemplary embodiments includes an operation device, a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, and a control device. The operation device executes a predetermined operation. The first acceleration sensor detects acceleration in a first direction along a horizontal direction. The second acceleration sensor detects acceleration in a second direction intersecting the first direction along the horizontal direction. The control device recognizes a transport position of the execution device in the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus based on output values from the first acceleration sensor and the second acceleration sensor. When it is recognized that the execution device is transported to a predetermined position, the control device causes the operation device to execute the predetermined operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kippei SUGITA
  • Publication number: 20210356324
    Abstract: A calibration method includes placing an LED light source having a given wavelength range inside a reference apparatus; acquiring first data as an emission intensity of light at a wavelength, a light amount of the light being adjusted in stages by changing the light amount output from the LED light source; storing the first data in a memory; placing the LED light source in a calibration target apparatus; acquiring second data as an emission intensity of light at a wavelength, a light amount of the light being adjusted in the stages by changing the light amount output from the LED light source; and calculating a calibration formula based on the first data stored in the memory and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Hana Sasaki, Kaoru Inaba, Mitsuru Dohiwa, Takashi Niinuma, Hikaru Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11164729
    Abstract: A measuring device and method, provided in a region surrounded by a focus ring and configured to measure an amount of consumption of the focus ring, includes a disc-shaped base substrate, sensor electrodes provided on the base substrate, a high frequency oscillator configured to apply a high frequency signal to the sensor electrodes, and an operation unit configured to calculate measurement values indicating electrostatic capacitances of the sensor electrodes from detection values corresponding to potentials of the sensor electrodes. The operation unit calculates a representative value (for example an average value) of the measurement values corresponding to the amount of consumption of the focus ring and derives the amount of consumption of the focus ring with reference to a table in which the amount of consumption of the focus ring is associated with the representative value of the measurement values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Daisuke Kawano
  • Publication number: 20210183628
    Abstract: A transfer system configured to transfer a focus ring includes a processing system and a position detection system. The processing system includes a processing apparatus including a chamber main body and a placing table having a substrate placing region and a focus ring placing region; and a transfer device configured to transfer the focus ring. The position detection system includes a light source; multiple optical elements configured to output light and receive reflected light; a driving unit configured to move each optical element to allow each optical element to scan a scanning range; and a controller configured to calculate, based on the reflected light in the scanning range, a positional relationship between the placing table and the focus ring for each optical element. The transfer device is configured to adjust a transfer position of the focus ring onto the focus ring placing region based on the calculated positional relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Publication number: 20210166960
    Abstract: A jig includes a base, light sources disposed on the base, the sources configured to emit light of different wavelengths, a controller disposed on the base, the controller being configured to cause the light sources to be turned on or off based on a given program, and a power source disposed on the base, the power source being configured to supply power to the light sources and the controller. The jig has a shape enabling a transfer device to transfer the jig, the transfer device being provided in a vacuum transfer module and configured to transfer a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Kippei SUGITA, Masaaki MIYAGAWA, Masashi YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 10964575
    Abstract: A transfer robot system includes a transfer robot configured to transfer a wafer under an operational instruction; a controller configured to output the operational instruction to the transfer robot; a wafer receptacle; and an interferometer. The wafer receptacle comprises a receptacle body having an open front through which an end effector and the wafer pass; a first reflector disposed under a support space; and a first optical element disposed above the support space to face the first reflector, configured to output the light toward the first reflector and receive received light therefrom. The interferometer calculates an optical interference peak, which is generated between the wafer and the first reflector, based on the received light. The controller determines a taught position of the transfer robot based on a variation of the optical interference peak during an operation of the transfer robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Patent number: 10948317
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a disc-shaped base substrate, sensor electrodes arranged circumferentially along a periphery of the base substrate, a high frequency oscillator configured to apply a high frequency signal to the sensor electrodes, C/V conversion circuits, each being configured to convert a voltage amplitude at a corresponding sensor electrode among the sensor electrodes to a voltage signal indicating an electrostatic capacitance, an A/D converter configured to convert the voltage signal outputted from each of the C/V conversion circuits to a digital value, and a switching mechanism configured to switch each sensor electrode of the sensor electrodes between a first state in which the sensor electrodes are electrically connected to the C/V conversion circuits and a second state in which electrode pairs are connected to different C/V conversion circuits among the C/V conversion circuits. Each electrode pair includes circumferentially adjacent two sensor electrodes among the sensor electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Daisuke Kawano
  • Publication number: 20210074564
    Abstract: A system configured to inspect a processing apparatus includes a temperature adjusting device configured to adjust a temperature of a component within a processing chamber of the processing apparatus; a light source configured to emit measurement light; multiple optical elements configured to output the measurement light emitted from the light source to the component within the processing chamber of the processing apparatus as output light and configured to receive reflected light from the component during a temperature adjustment of the component by the temperature adjusting device; and a controller configured to measure temperatures of the component at measurement points respectively corresponding to the multiple optical elements based on the reflected light, and make a determination upon abnormality of the processing apparatus based on comparisons of the temperatures of the component at the respective measurement points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Kenji Nagai
  • Publication number: 20210057252
    Abstract: A transfer method according to an exemplary embodiment includes: transferring a focus ring onto a stage by a transfer unit; transferring a measuring instrument into an inner region of the transferred focus ring and onto an electrostatic chuck; acquiring a measurement value group by the transferred measuring instrument; and adjusting a transfer position of the focus ring by the transfer unit such that the central position of the electrostatic chuck and the central position of the focus ring coincide with each other based on the measurement value group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kippei SUGITA, Daisuke KAWANO, Yoshihiro YANAGI
  • Patent number: 10903100
    Abstract: A measuring device includes sensor electrodes provided along a periphery of a base substrate such that a sum A of shortest distances from the sensor electrodes to an inner peripheral surface of a focus ring becomes a constant value, the sum A satisfying ? i = 1 N ? a C i = A the number of the sensor electrodes, Ci: measurement values and “a”: constant). A method of obtaining the amount of deviation of the central position of the measuring device in a region surrounded by the focus ring from the center of the region, includes: calculating the measurement values Ci using the measuring device; calculating the constant “a” using the measurement values Ci; calculating distances from the sensor electrodes to the inner peripheral surface of the focus ring using the constant “a” and the measurement values Ci; and calculating the amount of deviation of the central position of the measuring device based on the calculated distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Daisuke Kawano
  • Patent number: 10861729
    Abstract: A transfer method according to an exemplary embodiment includes: transferring a focus ring onto a stage by a transfer unit; transferring a measuring instrument into an inner region of the transferred focus ring and onto an electrostatic chuck; acquiring a measurement value group by the transferred measuring instrument; and adjusting a transfer position of the focus ring by the transfer unit such that the central position of the electrostatic chuck and the central position of the focus ring coincide with each other based on the measurement value group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Daisuke Kawano, Yoshihiro Yanagi
  • Patent number: 10837991
    Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance measuring device includes: a base substrate; a first sensor having a first electrode, one or more second sensors each having a second electrode, and a circuit board mounted on the base substrate. The first sensor is provided along an edge of the base substrate. The second sensors are fixed on the base substrate. The circuit board is connected to the first sensor and the second sensors, and configured to output high frequency signals to the first electrode and the one or more second electrodes and obtain a first measurement value indicating an electrostatic capacitance from a voltage amplitude at the first electrode and one or more second measurement values indicating electrostatic capacitances obtained from voltage amplitudes at the one or more second electrodes. The measuring device has one or more reference surfaces fixed on the measuring device and facing the one or more second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kippei Sugita, Tomohide Minami, Satoru Nishio