Patents by Inventor Matthew Tsai

Matthew Tsai 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: 20250015733
    Abstract: Embodiments of bipolar electrostatic chucks are provided herein. In some embodiments, a bipolar electrostatic chuck, includes: the electrostatic chuck; and a plurality of electrodes disposed in the electrostatic chuck, wherein the plurality of electrodes include a positive electrode arranged in a first pattern comprising a plurality of first arcuate bands coupled together via first connection fingers that extend radially therebetween and a negative electrode arranged in a second pattern comprising a plurality of second arcuate bands coupled together via second connection fingers that extend radially therebetween, wherein the plurality of first arcuate bands are arranged in an alternating pattern with the plurality of second arcuate bands, wherein there is a gap between the first pattern and the second pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Mukund SUNDARARAJAN, Sarath BABU, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew TSAI, Ananthkrishna JUPUDI, Ross MARSHALL
  • Patent number: 12014906
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports for use in substrate processing chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: an upper assembly having a base plate assembly coupled to a lower surface of a cooling plate, wherein the base plate assembly includes a plurality of electrical feedthroughs, and wherein the cooling plate includes a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; an electrostatic chuck disposed on the upper assembly and removably coupled to the cooling plate, wherein the electrostatic chuck has a chucking electrode disposed therein that is electrically coupled to a first pair of electrical feedthroughs of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; and an inner tube coupled to the cooling plate and configured to provide an RF delivery path to the electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: William R. Johanson, Keith A. Miller, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, John C. Forster, Mukund Sundararajan
  • Publication number: 20240183028
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate include cleaning and self-assembly monolayer (SAM) formation for subsequent reverse selective atomic layer deposition. An apparatus may include a process chamber with a processing volume and a substrate support including a pedestal, a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to produce radicals or ionized gas mixture with radicals that flow into the processing volume to remove residue or oxides from a surface of the substrate, a first gas delivery system with a first ampoule configured to provide at least one first chemical into the processing volume to produce a SAM on the surface of the substrate, a heating system located in the pedestal and configured to heat a substrate by flowing gas on a backside of the substrate, and a vacuum system fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to control heating of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Xiangjin XIE, Carmen LEAL CERVANTES, Feng CHEN, Lu CHEN, Wenjing XU, Aravind KAMATH, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew TSAI, Tae Hong HA, Alexander JANSEN, Xianmin TANG
  • Patent number: 11939666
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate include cleaning and self-assembly monolayer (SAM) formation for subsequent reverse selective atomic layer deposition. An apparatus may include a process chamber with a processing volume and a substrate support including a pedestal, a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to produce radicals or ionized gas mixture with radicals that flow into the processing volume to remove residue or oxides from a surface of the substrate, a first gas delivery system with a first ampoule configured to provide at least one first chemical into the processing volume to produce a SAM on the surface of the substrate, a heating system located in the pedestal and configured to heat a substrate by flowing gas on a backside of the substrate, and a vacuum system fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to control heating of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiangjin Xie, Carmen Leal Cervantes, Feng Chen, Lu Chen, Wenjing Xu, Aravind Kamath, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Tae Hong Ha, Alexander Jansen, Xianmin Tang
  • Patent number: 11887878
    Abstract: Embodiments of a substrate support are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support for use in a substrate processing chamber includes a lower assembly having a base plate assembly, wherein the base plate assembly includes a plurality of electrical feedthroughs disposed about a central protrusion; a ceramic puck disposed on the lower assembly and removeably coupled to the base plate assembly, wherein the ceramic puck has an electrode disposed therein that is electrically coupled to first pair of electrical feedthroughs of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; and a flexible connector having a spiral portion disposed between the ceramic puck and each of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs to allow for differences in thermal expansion of the ceramic puck and the base plate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shreesha Yogish Rao, Mukund Sundararajan, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Manjunatha P. Koppa, Steven V. Sansoni
  • Publication number: 20230307211
    Abstract: Process kits for processing chambers and processing chambers having a lower shield and lower shield ring are described. The lower shield has a ring-shaped body with an inner wall and an outer wall, a top wall and a bottom wall with an outer ledge wall extends outwardly from a lower portion of the outer wall to an outer ledge outer wall. The lower shield ring has a ramped lower inner wall with a top face spaced a distance from the bottom face of the upper inner wall so that the distance decreases from the lower inner wall to an inside surface of the outer wall. At least one upper opening extends through the top portion of the lower shield ring and at least one opening extends through the lower portion of the lower shield ring. Upper shields configured to cooperatively interact with the lower shield and lower shield ring are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Miyar Kamath, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Manjunatha Koppa
  • Publication number: 20210371972
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate include cleaning and self-assembly monolayer (SAM) formation for subsequent reverse selective atomic layer deposition. An apparatus may include a process chamber with a processing volume and a substrate support including a pedestal, a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to produce radicals or ionized gas mixture with radicals that flow into the processing volume to remove residue or oxides from a surface of the substrate, a first gas delivery system with a first ampoule configured to provide at least one first chemical into the processing volume to produce a SAM on the surface of the substrate, a heating system located in the pedestal and configured to heat a substrate by flowing gas on a backside of the substrate, and a vacuum system fluidly coupled to the process chamber and configured to control heating of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Xiangjin XIE, Carmen LEAL CERVANTES, Feng CHEN, Lu CHEN, Wenjing XU, Aravind KAMATH, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew TSAI, Tae Hong HA, Alexander JANSEN, Xianmin TANG
  • Patent number: 10892180
    Abstract: Embodiments of lift pin assemblies are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lift pin assembly includes an elongate base formed of a first material and having a first feature formed in a distal end of the base to interface with and removably support a tip; and a tip formed of a second material different than the first material and having a support surface on a first side of the tip and an opposing second side of the tip, wherein the opposing second side includes a second feature to mate with the first feature of the base to removably retain the tip on the distal end of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Bonnie T. Chia, Jallepally Ravi, Manjunatha Koppa, Vinod Konda Purathe, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Aravind Miyar Kamath
  • Publication number: 20200411354
    Abstract: Embodiments of a substrate support are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support for use in a substrate processing chamber includes a lower assembly having a base plate assembly, wherein the base plate assembly includes a plurality of electrical feedthroughs disposed about a central protrusion; a ceramic puck disposed on the lower assembly and removeably coupled to the base plate assembly, wherein the ceramic puck has an electrode disposed therein that is electrically coupled to first pair of electrical feedthroughs of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs; and a flexible connector having a spiral portion disposed between the ceramic puck and each of the plurality of electrical feedthroughs to allow for differences in thermal expansion of the ceramic puck and the base plate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Shreesha Yogish RAO, Mukund SUNDARARAJAN, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew TSAI, Manjunatha P. KOPPA, Steven V. SANSONI
  • Patent number: 10593521
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support to support a substrate in a processing chamber includes a dielectric insulator plate; a conductive plate supported on the dielectric insulator plate, the conductive plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface defining a thickness between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein an edge portion of the conductive plate tapers in a radially outward direction; and a dielectric plate comprising a substrate support surface disposed upon the top surface of the conductor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Frazier, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, John C. Forster, Mei Po Yeung, Michael S. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9608549
    Abstract: Embodiments of electrostatic chucks are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrostatic chuck for retaining a substrate includes a base plate, a ceramic plate, supported by the base plate, having a substrate supporting surface, a first plurality of electrodes disposed within the ceramic plate having a first polarity, and a second plurality of electrodes disposed within the ceramic plate having a second polarity opposite from the first polarity, wherein the first and second plurality of electrodes are independently controllable to provide a desired chucking power and frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Steven V. Sansoni, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai
  • Patent number: 9252002
    Abstract: Shutter disk assemblies for use in process chambers to protect a substrate support disposed below the shutter disk assembly from undesired material deposition are provided herein. In some embodiments, a shutter disk assembly for use in a process chamber to protect a substrate support disposed below the shutter disk assembly may include an upper disk member having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a lower carrier member having at least a portion of the lower carrier member disposed below a portion of the upper disk member to support the upper disk member and to create a protective overlap region that prevents exposure of the substrate support upon deformation of the upper disk member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Robert Dinsmore, Song-Moon Suh
  • Publication number: 20160002778
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate supports are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support may include a first plate for supporting a substrate, the first plate having a plurality of purge gas channels on its backside; a second plate disposed beneath and supporting the first plate; and an edge ring surrounding the first plate and disposed above the second plate, wherein the plurality of purge gas channels extend from a single inlet in a central portion to a plurality of outlets at a periphery of the first plate, and wherein the plurality of purge gas channels have a substantially equal flow conductance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: JALLEPALLY RAVI, TOMOHARU MATSUSHITA, ARAVIND MIYAR KAMATH, XIAOXIONG YUAN, CHENG-HSIUNG MATTHEW TSAI, MANJUNATHA KOPPA
  • Publication number: 20150348823
    Abstract: Embodiments of lift pin assemblies are provided herein. In some embodiments, a lift pin assembly includes an elongate base formed of a first material and having a first feature formed in a distal end of the base to interface with and removably support a tip; and a tip formed of a second material different than the first material and having a support surface on a first side of the tip and an opposing second side of the tip, wherein the opposing second side includes a second feature to mate with the first feature of the base to removably retain the tip on the distal end of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: BONNIE T. CHIA, JALLEPALLY RAVI, MANJUNATHA KOPPA, VINOD KONDA PURATHE, CHENG-HSIUNG MATTHEW TSAI, ARAVIND MIYAR KAMATH
  • Patent number: 9147558
    Abstract: Shutter disks for use in process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a shutter disk for use in a process chamber may include a body having an outer perimeter, a top surface of the body, wherein the top surface includes a central portion having a substantially horizontal planar surface, and at least one angled structure disposed radially outward of the central portion, each of the at least one angled structure having a top portion and an angled surface disposed at a downward angle in a radially outward direction from the top portion toward the outer perimeter, and a bottom surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Bonnie T. Chia, Song-Moon Suh, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Robert Dinsmore, Glen T. Mori
  • Patent number: 8971009
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for controlling a temperature of an electrostatic chuck in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck disposed in a process chamber, the electrostatic chuck including a ceramic plate having a substrate supporting surface, and a cooling assembly including a plurality of cooling plates disposed below the electrostatic chuck to adjust the cooling capacity of the electrostatic chuck. In some embodiments, the plurality of cooling plates includes an inner cooling plate configured to control a temperature of a center portion of the electrostatic chuck, and an outer cooling plate configured to control a temperature of an outer portion of the electrostatic chuck. In some embodiments, the plurality of cooling plates includes an upper cooling plate that contacts a bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck, and a lower cooling plate which contacts a bottom surface of the upper cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Steven V. Sansoni, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140262043
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing substrates are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support to support a substrate in a processing chamber includes a dielectric insulator plate; a conductive plate supported on the dielectric insulator plate, the conductive plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface defining a thickness between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein an edge portion of the conductive plate tapers in a radially outward direction; and a dielectric plate comprising a substrate support surface disposed upon the top surface of the conductor plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: LARRY FRAZIER, CHENG-HSIUNG MATTHEW TSAI, JOHN C. FORSTER, MEI PO YEUNG, MICHAEL S. JACKSON
  • Patent number: D947914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shreesha Yogish Rao, Mukund Sundararajan, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Manjunatha P. Koppa, Steven V. Sansoni
  • Patent number: D960216
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shreesha Yogish Rao, Mukund Sundararajan, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Manjunatha P. Koppa, Steven V. Sansoni
  • Patent number: D1071886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhixiu Liang, Michael Sterling Jackson, Jiang Lu, Cheng-Hsiung Matthew Tsai, Tomoharu Matsushita, Zubin Huang