Patents by Inventor Markus Lieberer

Markus Lieberer 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: 12476151
    Abstract: Preheat processes for a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include receiving a substrate on a wafer support plate in a processing chamber of a millisecond anneal system; obtaining one or more temperature measurements of the wafer support plate using a temperature sensor; and applying a preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate based at least in part on the temperature of the wafer support plate. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include obtaining one or more temperature measurements from a temperature sensor having a field of view of a wafer support plate in a millisecond anneal system; and applying a pulsed preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate in the millisecond anneal system based at least in part on the one or more temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Pfahler, Markus Hagedorn, Michael vanAbbema, Alexandr Cosceev
  • Patent number: 12400916
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Patent number: 12399064
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal processing of a workpiece at low temperatures are disclosed. In one example implementation, a thermal processing apparatus includes a processing chamber having a workpiece support. The workpiece support can be configured to support a workpiece. The apparatus can include one or more heat sources configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range to heat the workpiece to a processing temperature. The processing temperature can be in the range of about 50° C. to 150° C. The apparatus can include one or more sensors configured to obtain a measurement of electromagnetic radiation in a second wavelength range when the workpiece is at the processing temperature. The second wavelength range can be different from the first wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Paul J. Timans, Michael X. Yang
  • Publication number: 20250216154
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include one or more domed window(s) disposed between the workpiece support plate and the one or more heat sources. The system includes a temperature measurement configured to generate data indicative of a temperature of the workpiece. The system includes a gas delivery system configured to flow a process gas over the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Dieter Hezler, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Alex Wansidler, Jakob Kirmaier, Philip Fricker, Markus Lieberer, Martin Albrecht, Michael Storek
  • Publication number: 20250093852
    Abstract: A control system operable to train a control tuner to generate temperature setpoint tracking improvements for a thermal processing system is provided. In one example implementation, temperature setpoint tracking improvements are achieved by generating system controller parameter adjustments based on a difference between a simulated workpiece temperature estimate and an actual workpiece temperature estimate. For example, a system model can generate a simulated workpiece temperature estimate simulating an actual workpiece temperature estimate, and based on the difference between the simulated and actual workpiece temperature estimates, generate clone controller parameter adjustments. The clone controller parameter adjustments can be used to generate system controller parameter adjustments, which can improve temperature setpoint tracking for the thermal processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Markus Lieberer, Joseph Cibere
  • Patent number: 12174616
    Abstract: A control system operable to train a control tuner to generate temperature setpoint tracking improvements for a thermal processing system is provided. In one example implementation, temperature setpoint tracking improvements are achieved by generating system controller parameter adjustments based on a difference between a simulated workpiece temperature estimate and an actual workpiece temperature estimate. For example, a system model can generate a simulated workpiece temperature estimate simulating an actual workpiece temperature estimate, and based on the difference between the simulated and actual workpiece temperature estimates, generate clone controller parameter adjustments. The clone controller parameter adjustments can be used to generate system controller parameter adjustments, which can improve temperature setpoint tracking for the thermal processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co. Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Markus Lieberer, Joseph Cibere
  • Publication number: 20240304502
    Abstract: Preheat processes for a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include receiving a substrate on a wafer support plate in a processing chamber of a millisecond anneal system; obtaining one or more temperature measurements of the wafer support plate using a temperature sensor; and applying a preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate based at least in part on the temperature of the wafer support plate. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include obtaining one or more temperature measurements from a temperature sensor having a field of view of a wafer support plate in a millisecond anneal system; and applying a pulsed preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate in the millisecond anneal system based at least in part on the one or more temperature measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Pfahler, Markus Hagedorn, Michael vanAbbema, Alexandr Cosceev
  • Publication number: 20240290664
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Patent number: 12027427
    Abstract: Preheat processes for a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include receiving a substrate on a wafer support plate in a processing chamber of a millisecond anneal system; obtaining one or more temperature measurements of the wafer support plate using a temperature sensor; and applying a preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate based at least in part on the temperature of the wafer support plate. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include obtaining one or more temperature measurements from a temperature sensor having a field of view of a wafer support plate in a millisecond anneal system; and applying a pulsed preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate in the millisecond anneal system based at least in part on the one or more temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignees: Mattson Technology, Inc., Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Pfahler, Markus Hagedorn, Michael vanAbbema, Alexandr Cosceev
  • Patent number: 11955388
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd., Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Publication number: 20230273596
    Abstract: A control system operable to train a control tuner to generate temperature setpoint tracking improvements for a thermal processing system is provided. In one example implementation, temperature setpoint tracking improvements are achieved by generating system controller parameter adjustments based on a difference between a simulated workpiece temperature estimate and an actual workpiece temperature estimate. For example, a system model can generate a simulated workpiece temperature estimate simulating an actual workpiece temperature estimate, and based on the difference between the simulated and actual workpiece temperature estimates, generate clone controller parameter adjustments. The clone controller parameter adjustments can be used to generate system controller parameter adjustments, which can improve temperature setpoint tracking for the thermal processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Markus Lieberer, Joseph Cibere
  • Publication number: 20230230887
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Patent number: 11644817
    Abstract: A control system operable to train a control tuner to generate temperature setpoint tracking improvements for a thermal processing system is provided. In one example implementation, temperature setpoint tracking improvements are achieved by generating system controller parameter adjustments based on a difference between a simulated workpiece temperature estimate and an actual workpiece temperature estimate. For example, a system model can generate a simulated workpiece temperature estimate simulating an actual workpiece temperature estimate, and based on the difference between the simulated and actual workpiece temperature estimates, generate clone controller parameter adjustments. The clone controller parameter adjustments can be used to generate system controller parameter adjustments, which can improve temperature setpoint tracking for the thermal processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Markus Lieberer, Joseph Cibere
  • Patent number: 11610824
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Publication number: 20210272858
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for performing thermal processing can include a workpiece support plate configured to support a workpiece and heat source(s) configured to heat the workpiece. The thermal processing system can include window(s) having transparent region(s) that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation within a measurement wavelength range and opaque region(s) that are opaque to electromagnetic radiation within a portion of the measurement wavelength range. A temperature measurement system can include a plurality of infrared emitters configured to emit infrared radiation and a plurality of infrared sensors configured to measure infrared radiation within the measurement wavelength range where the transparent region(s) are at least partially within a field of view the infrared sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Storek, Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Michael Yang
  • Publication number: 20210132592
    Abstract: A control system operable to train a control tuner to generate temperature setpoint tracking improvements for a thermal processing system is provided. In one example implementation, temperature setpoint tracking improvements are achieved by generating system controller parameter adjustments based on a difference between a simulated workpiece temperature estimate and an actual workpiece temperature estimate. For example, a system model can generate a simulated workpiece temperature estimate simulating an actual workpiece temperature estimate, and based on the difference between the simulated and actual workpiece temperature estimates, generate clone controller parameter adjustments. The clone controller parameter adjustments can be used to generate system controller parameter adjustments, which can improve temperature setpoint tracking for the thermal processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Michael X. Yang, Markus Lieberer, Joseph Cibere
  • Publication number: 20200350217
    Abstract: Preheat processes for a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include receiving a substrate on a wafer support plate in a processing chamber of a millisecond anneal system; obtaining one or more temperature measurements of the wafer support plate using a temperature sensor; and applying a preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate based at least in part on the temperature of the wafer support plate. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include obtaining one or more temperature measurements from a temperature sensor having a field of view of a wafer support plate in a millisecond anneal system; and applying a pulsed preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate in the millisecond anneal system based at least in part on the one or more temperature measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Pfahler, Markus Hagedorn, Michael vanAbbema, Alexandr Cosceev
  • Patent number: 10727140
    Abstract: Preheat processes for a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include receiving a substrate on a wafer support plate in a processing chamber of a millisecond anneal system; obtaining one or more temperature measurements of the wafer support plate using a temperature sensor; and applying a preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate based at least in part on the temperature of the wafer support plate. In one example implementation, a preheat process can include obtaining one or more temperature measurements from a temperature sensor having a field of view of a wafer support plate in a millisecond anneal system; and applying a pulsed preheat recipe to heat the wafer support plate in the millisecond anneal system based at least in part on the one or more temperature measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignees: MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC., BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Pfahler, Markus Hagedorn, Michael vanAbbema, Alexandr Cosceev
  • Publication number: 20200064198
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal processing of a workpiece at low temperatures are disclosed. In one example implementation, a thermal processing apparatus includes a processing chamber having a workpiece support. The workpiece support can be configured to support a workpiece. The apparatus can include one or more heat sources configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in a first wavelength range to heat the workpiece to a processing temperature. The processing temperature can be in the range of about 50° C. to 150° C. The apparatus can include one or more sensors configured to obtain a measurement of electromagnetic radiation in a second wavelength range when the workpiece is at the processing temperature. The second wavelength range can be different from the first wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Rolf Bremensdorfer, Markus Lieberer, Paul J. Timans, Michael X. Yang
  • Publication number: 20170194133
    Abstract: Electrode tips for arc lamps for use in, for instance, a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, an electrode for an arc lamp can have an electrode tip. The surface of the electrode tip can have one or more grooves to reduce the transportation of molten material across the surface of the electrode tip. The electrode can include an interface between the electrode tip and a heat sink. The interface can have a shape designed to have a desired lateral temperature distribution across the surface of the electrode tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Lieberer, Christian Seifert, Rolf Bremensdorfer