Patents by Inventor Maurice E. Ewert

Maurice E. Ewert 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: 10903067
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an adapter plate for a deposition chamber is provided. The adapter plate comprises a body, a mounting plate centrally located on the body, a first annular portion extending longitudinally from a first surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from an outer surface of the mounting plate, a second annular portion extending longitudinally from an opposing second surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from the outer surface of the mounting plate, and a mirror-finished surface disposed on the interior of the second annular portion, the mirror-finished surface having an average surface roughness of 6 Ra or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish Goel, Anantha Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert
  • Publication number: 20200098559
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an adapter plate for a deposition chamber is provided. The adapter plate comprises a body, a mounting plate centrally located on the body, a first annular portion extending longitudinally from a first surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from an outer surface of the mounting plate, a second annular portion extending longitudinally from an opposing second surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from the outer surface of the mounting plate, and a mirror-finished surface disposed on the interior of the second annular portion, the mirror-finished surface having an average surface roughness of 6 Ra or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ashish GOEL, Anantha SUBRAMANI, Maurice E. EWERT
  • Patent number: 10504719
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an adapter plate for a deposition chamber is provided. The adapter plate comprises a body, a mounting plate centrally located on the body, a first annular portion extending longitudinally from a first surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from an outer surface of the mounting plate, a second annular portion extending longitudinally from an opposing second surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from the outer surface of the mounting plate, and a mirror-finished surface disposed on the interior of the first annular portion, the mirror-finished surface having an average surface roughness of 6 Ra or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish Goel, Anantha Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert
  • Patent number: 9863038
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Maurice E. Ewert, Anantha Subramani, Umesh M. Kelkar, Chandrasekhar Balasubramanyam, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 9818587
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice E. Ewert, Anantha K. Subramani, Umesh M. Kelkar, Chandrasekhar Balasubramanyam, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Patent number: 8992741
    Abstract: In a plasma-enhanced physical vapor deposition reactor, uniformity of radial distribution of the deposition rate across the workpiece is enhanced by applying both RF and D.C. power to the target and adjusting the power levels of the RF and D.C. power independently. Further optimization is obtained by adjusting the height of the magnet above the target, adjusting the radius of the orbital motion of the magnet above the target and providing an angle edge surface of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongjun Wang, Xianmin Tang, Zhendong Liu, Tza-Jing Gung, Maurice E. Ewert
  • Patent number: 8685215
    Abstract: A continuously variable multi-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target at a freely selected radius. The position is dynamically controlled from the outside, for example, through a hydraulic actuator connected between a pivoting arm supporting the magnetron and an arm fixed to the shaft, by two coaxial shafts independent controllable from the outside and supporting the magnetron through a frog-leg mechanism, or a cable connected between the pivoting arms and moved by an external slider. The magnetron can be rotated at two, three, or more discrete radii or be moved in a continuous spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Anantha K. Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert, Tza-Jing Gung, Hong S. Yang, Vincent E. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20130284096
    Abstract: In one embodiment, An adapter plate for a deposition chamber is provided. The adapter plate comprises a body, a mounting plate centrally located on the body, a first annular portion extending longitudinally from a first surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from an outer surface of the mounting plate, a second annular portion extending longitudinally from an opposing second surface of the mounting plate and disposed radially inward from the outer surface of the mounting plate, and a mirror-finished surface disposed on the interior of the second annular portion, the mirror-finished surface having an average surface roughness of 6 Ra or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Ashish GOEL, Anantha SUBRAMANI, Maurice E. EWERT
  • Publication number: 20130270107
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: MAURICE E. EWERT, Anantha K. SUBRAMANI, Umesh M. KELKAR, Chandrasekhar BALASUBRAMANYAM, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Publication number: 20130196514
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice E. EWERT, Anantha SUBRAMANI, Umesh M. KELKAR, Chandrasekhar BALASUBRAMANYAM, Joseph M. RANISH
  • Patent number: 8404048
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice E. Ewert, Anantha K. Subramani, Umesh M. Kelkar, Chandrasekhar Balasubramanyam, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Publication number: 20120231633
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for treating a substrate. The apparatus is a dual-function process chamber that may perform both a material process and a thermal process on a substrate. The chamber has an annular radiant source disposed between a processing location and a transportation location of the chamber. Lift pins have length sufficient to maintain the substrate at the processing location while the substrate support is lowered below the radiant source plane to afford radiant heating of the substrate. A method of processing a substrate having apertures formed in a first surface thereof includes depositing material on the first surface in the apertures and reflowing the material by heating a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. A second material can then be deposited, filling the apertures partly or completely. Alternately, a cyclical deposition/reflow process may be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Maurice E. Ewert, Anantha K. Subramani, Umesh M. Kelkar, Chandrasekhar Balasubramanyam, Joseph M. Ranish
  • Publication number: 20100243440
    Abstract: A continuously variable multi-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target at a freely selected radius. The position is dynamically controlled from the outside, for example, through a hydraulic actuator connected between a pivoting arm supporting the magnetron and an arm fixed to the shaft, by two coaxial shafts independent controllable from the outside and supporting the magnetron through a frog-leg mechanism, or a cable connected between the pivoting arms and moved by an external slider. The magnetron can be rotated at two, three, or more discrete radii or be moved in a continuous spiral pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Anantha K. Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert, Tza Jing Gung, Hong S. Yang, Vincent E. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 7736473
    Abstract: A continuously variable multi-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target at a freely selected radius. The position is dynamically controlled from the outside, for example, through a hydraulic actuator connected between a pivoting arm supporting the magnetron and an arm fixed to the shaft, by two coaxial shafts independent controllable from the outside and supporting the magnetron through a frog-leg mechanism, or a cable connected between the pivoting arms and moved by an external slider. The magnetron can be rotated at two, three, or more discrete radii or be moved in a continuous spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Anantha K. Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert, Tza-Jing Gung, Hong S. Yang, Vincent E. Burkhart
  • Publication number: 20100032289
    Abstract: In a plasma-enhanced physical vapor deposition reactor, uniformity of radial distribution of the deposition rate across the workpiece is enhanced by applying both RF and D.C. power to the target and adjusting the power levels of the RF and D.C. power independently. Further optimization is obtained by adjusting the height of the magnet above the target, adjusting the radius of the orbital motion of the magnet above the target and providing an angle edge surface of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: RONGJUN WANG, Xianmin Tang, Zhendong Liu, Tza-Jing Gung, Maurice E. Ewert
  • Publication number: 20090308739
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to an apparatus and method for uniform sputter depositing of materials into the bottom and sidewalls of high aspect ratio features on a substrate. In one embodiment, a collimator for mechanical and electrical coupling with a shield member positioned between a sputtering target and a substrate support pedestal is provided. The collimator comprises a central region and a peripheral region, wherein the collimator has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and where the apertures located in the central region have a higher aspect ratio than the apertures located in the peripheral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Lee Riker, Maurice E. Ewert, Anantha K. Subramani
  • Publication number: 20090308732
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for uniform sputter depositing of materials into the bottom and sidewalls of high aspect ratio features on a substrate. In one embodiment, a sputter deposition system includes a collimator that has apertures having aspect ratios that decrease from a central region of the collimator to a peripheral region of the collimator. In one embodiment, the collimator is coupled to a grounded shield via a bracket member that includes a combination of internally and externally threaded fasteners. In another embodiment, the collimator is integrally attached to a grounded shield. In one embodiment, a method of sputter depositing material includes pulsing the bias on the substrate support between high and low values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yong Cao, Maurice E. Ewert, Xianmin Tang, Keith A. Miller, Daniel C. Lubben, Umesh M. Kelkar, Tza-Jing Gung, Anantha K. Subramani
  • Patent number: 7018515
    Abstract: A dual-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target, particularly for sputtering an edge of a target of a barrier material onto a wafer and cleaning material redeposited at a center of the target. During target cleaning, wafer bias is reduced. In one embodiment, an arc-shaped magnetron is supported on a pivot arm pivoting on the end of a bracket fixed to the rotary shaft. A spring biases the pivot arm such that the magnetron is urged towards and overlies the target center. Centrifugal force at increased rotation rate overcomes the spring bias and shift the magnetron to an outer position with the long magnetron dimension aligned with the target edge. Mechanical stops prevent excessive movement in either direction. Other mechanisms include linear slides and actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tza-Jing Gung, Hong S. Yang, Anantha K. Subramani, Maurice E. Ewert, Keith A. Miller, Vincent E. Burkhart