Patents by Inventor Michael Allen Flanigan

Michael Allen Flanigan 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: 11658016
    Abstract: A shield encircles a sputtering target that faces a substrate support in a substrate processing chamber. The shield comprises an outer band having a diameter sized to encircle the sputtering target, the outer band having upper and bottom ends, and the upper end having a tapered surface extending radially outwardly and adjacent to the sputtering target. A base plate extends radially inward from the bottom end of the outer band. An inner band joined to the base plate at least partially surrounds a peripheral edge of a substrate support. The shield can also have a heat exchanger comprising a conduit with an inlet and outlet to flow heat exchange fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kathleen Scheible, Michael Allen Flanigan, Goichi Yoshidome, Adolph Miller Allen, Cristopher Pavloff
  • Publication number: 20190267220
    Abstract: A shield encircles a sputtering target that faces a substrate support in a substrate processing chamber. The shield comprises an outer band having a diameter sized to encircle the sputtering target, the outer band having upper and bottom ends, and the upper end having a tapered surface extending radially outwardly and adjacent to the sputtering target. A base plate extends radially inward from the bottom end of the outer band. An inner band joined to the base plate at least partially surrounds a peripheral edge of a substrate support. The shield can also have a heat exchanger comprising a conduit with an inlet and outlet to flow heat exchange fluid therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kathleen Scheible, Michael Allen Flanigan, Goichi Yoshidome, Adolph Miller Allen, Cristopher Pavloff
  • Patent number: 10347475
    Abstract: A holding assembly for retaining a deposition ring about a periphery of a substrate support in a substrate processing chamber, the deposition ring comprising a peripheral recessed pocket with a holding post. The holding assembly comprises a restraint beam capable of being attached to the substrate support, the restraint beam comprising two ends, and an anti-lift bracket. The anti-lift bracket comprises a block comprising a through-channel to receive an end of a restraint beam, and a retaining hoop attached to the block, the retaining hoop sized to slide over and encircle the holding post in the peripheral recessed pocket of the deposition ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kathleen Scheible, Michael Allen Flanigan, Goichi Yoshidome, Adolph Miller Allen, Christopher Pavloff
  • Publication number: 20150380223
    Abstract: A holding assembly for retaining a deposition ring about a periphery of a substrate support in a substrate processing chamber, the deposition ring comprising a peripheral recessed pocket with a holding post. The holding assembly comprises a restraint beam capable of being attached to the substrate support, the restraint beam comprising two ends, and an anti-lift bracket. The anti-lift bracket comprises a block comprising a through-channel to receive an end of a restraint beam, and a retaining hoop attached to the block, the retaining hoop sized to slide over and encircle the holding post in the peripheral recessed pocket of the deposition ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Kathleen Scheible, Michael Allen Flanigan, Goichi Yoshidome, Adolph Miller Allen, Christopher Pavloff
  • Patent number: 9127362
    Abstract: A process kit comprises a ring assembly that is placed about a substrate support in a substrate processing chamber to reduce deposition of process deposits on the chamber components and on an overhang edge of the substrate. The process kit includes a deposition ring, cover ring, and anti-lift bracket, and can also include a unitary shield. A target is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen Scheible, Michael Allen Flanigan, Goichi Yoshidome, Adolph Miller Allen, Cristopher M. Pavloff
  • Patent number: 8900427
    Abstract: A magnetron actuator for moving a magnetron in a nearly arbitrary radial and azimuthal path in the back of a target in a plasma sputter reactor. The magnetron includes two coaxial rotary shafts extending along the chamber central axis and coupled to two independently controllable rotary actuators. An epicyclic gear mechanism or a frog-leg structure mechanically couple the shafts to the magnetron to control its radial and azimuthal position. A vertical actuator moves the shafts vertically in tandem to vary the magnetron's separation from the target's back surface and compensate for erosion of the front surface. The rotary actuators may be separately coupled to the shafts or a rotatable ring gear may be coupled to the shafts through respectively fixed and orbiting idler gears. Two radially spaced sensors detect reflectors attached to the inner and outer arms of the epicyclic gear mechanism for homing of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Michael Allen Flanigan, Hari Ponnekanti
  • Publication number: 20110297538
    Abstract: A magnetron actuator for moving a magnetron in a nearly arbitrary radial and azimuthal path in the back of a target in a plasma sputter reactor. The magnetron includes two coaxial rotary shafts extending along the chamber central axis and coupled to two independently controllable rotary actuators. An epicyclic gear mechanism or a frog-leg structure mechanically couple the shafts to the magnetron to control its radial and azimuthal position. A vertical actuator moves the shafts vertically in tandem to vary the magnetron's separation from the target's back surface and compensate for erosion of the front surface. The rotary actuators may be separately coupled to the shafts or a rotatable ring gear may be coupled to the shafts through respectively fixed and orbiting idler gears. Two radially spaced sensors detect reflectors attached to the inner and outer arms of the epicyclic gear mechanism for homing of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIAL;S, INC.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Michael Allen Flanigan, Hari Ponnekanti
  • Patent number: 8021527
    Abstract: A magnetron actuator for moving a magnetron in a nearly arbitrary radial and azimuthal path in the back of a target in a plasma sputter reactor. The magnetron includes two coaxial rotary shafts extending along the chamber central axis and coupled to two independently controllable rotary actuators. An epicyclic gear mechanism or a frog-leg structure mechanically couple the shafts to the magnetron to control its radial and azimuthal position. A vertical actuator moves the shafts vertically in tandem to vary the magnetron's separation from the target's back surface and compensate for erosion of the front surface. The rotary actuators may be separately coupled to the shafts or a rotatable ring gear may be coupled to the shafts through respectively fixed and orbiting idler gears. Two radially spaced sensors detect reflectors attached to the inner and outer arms of the epicyclic gear mechanism for homing of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miller, Michael Allen Flanigan, Hari Ponnekanti