Patents by Inventor Mark Allen Kennard

Mark Allen Kennard 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: 6669783
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck suitable for use at high temperatures having a replaceable expansion assembly, functioning as an outer tubulation and heat choke, between a chuck body and a heat transfer body. The expansion assembly accommodates differential thermal stresses between the chuck body and the heat transfer body, and/or limits direct heat conduction from the chuck body to the heat transfer body. The ability to operate the chuck at temperatures in excess of 200° C. allows it to be used for plasma etching of materials, such as platinum, which require high temperatures to volatilize low volatility etch products as well as routine plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, ion implantation, ashing, etc. The novel design of the removably attached expansion assembly allows the chuck to be scaled for larger workpieces, to remain serviceable through more heating cycles, and to be economically serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Sexton, Alan Schoepp, Mark Allen Kennard
  • Patent number: 6567258
    Abstract: A hot electrostatic chuck having an expansion joint between a chuck body and a heat transfer body. The expansion joint provides a hermetic seal, accommodates differential thermal stresses between the chuck body and the heat transfer body, and/or controls the amount of heat conducted from the chuck body to the heat transfer body. A plenum between spaced apart surfaces of the chuck body and the heat transfer body is filled with a heat transfer gas such as helium which passes through gas passages such as lift pin holes in the chuck body for backside cooling of a substrate supported on the chuck. The heat transfer gas in the plenum also conducts heat from the chuck body into the heat transfer body. The chuck body can be made of a material with desired electrical and/or thermal properties such as a metallic material or ceramic material. The chuck can be used in various semiconductor processes such as plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, ion implantation, ashing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Sexton, Mark Allen Kennard, Alan Schoepp
  • Publication number: 20030003749
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck suitable for use at high temperatures having a replaceable expansion assembly, functioning as an outer tubulation and heat choke, between a chuck body and a heat transfer body. The expansion assembly accommodates differential thermal stresses between the chuck body and the heat transfer body, and/or limits direct heat conduction from the chuck body to the heat transfer body. The ability to operate the chuck at temperatures in excess of 200° C. allows it to be used for plasma etching of materials, such as platinum, which require high temperatures to volatilize low volatility etch products as well as routine plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, ion implantation, ashing, etc. The novel design of the removably attached expansion assembly allows the chuck to be scaled for larger workpieces, to remain serviceable through more heating cycles, and to be economically serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Greg Sexton, Alan Schoepp, Mark Allen Kennard
  • Publication number: 20020075625
    Abstract: A hot electrostatic chuck having an expansion joint between a chuck body and a heat transfer body. The expansion joint provides a hermetic seal, accommodates differential thermal stresses between the chuck body and the heat transfer body, and/or controls the amount of heat conducted from the chuck body to the heat transfer body. A plenum between spaced apart surfaces of the chuck body and the heat transfer body is filled with a heat transfer gas such as helium which passes through gas passages such as lift pin holes in the chuck body for backside cooling of a substrate supported on the chuck. The heat transfer gas in the plenum also conducts heat from the chuck body into the heat transfer body. The chuck body can be made of a material with desired electrical and/or thermal properties such as a metallic material or ceramic material. The chuck can be used in various semiconductor processes such as plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, ion implantation, ashing, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Greg Sexton, Mark Allen Kennard, Alan Schoepp
  • Patent number: 6377437
    Abstract: A hot electrostatic chuck having an expansion joint between a chuck body and a heat transfer body. The expansion joint provides a hermetic seal, accommodates differential thermal stresses between the chuck body and the heat transfer body, and/or controls the amount of heat conducted from the chuck body to the heat transfer body. A plenum between spaced apart surfaces of the chuck body and the heat transfer body is filled with a heat transfer gas such as helium which passes through gas passages such as lift pin holes in the chuck body for backside cooling of a substrate supported on the chuck. The heat transfer gas in the plenum also conducts heat from the chuck body into the heat transfer body. The chuck body can be made of a material with desired electrical and/or thermal properties such as a metallic material or ceramic material. The chuck can be used in various semiconductor processes such as plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, ion implantation, ashing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Sexton, Mark Allen Kennard, Alan Schoepp