Patents by Inventor Michael C. Kutney

Michael C. Kutney 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: 20240222128
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are generally directed to electronic device manufacturing and, more particularly, to systems and methods for forming substantially void-free and seam-free tungsten features in a semiconductor device manufacturing scheme. In one embodiment, a substrate processing system features a processing chamber and a gas delivery system fluidly coupled to the processing chamber. The gas delivery system includes a first radical generator for use in a differential inhibition treatment process and a second radical generator for use in a chamber clean process. The processing system is configured to periodically condition the first radial generator by forming a plasma of a relatively low amount of a halogen-based gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Mingrui ZHAO, Peiqi WANG, Kai WU, Harpreet SINGH, Michael C. KUTNEY
  • Publication number: 20240209500
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are generally directed to electronic device manufacturing and, more particularly, to systems and methods for forming substantially void-free and seam-free tungsten features in a semiconductor device manufacturing scheme. In one embodiment, a substrate processing system features a processing chamber and a gas delivery system fluidly coupled to the processing chamber. The gas delivery system includes a first radical generator for use in a differential inhibition treatment process and a second radical generator for use in a chamber clean process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Xi CEN, Wei Min CHAN, Kai WU, Peiqi WANG, Mingrui ZHAO, Michael C. KUTNEY, Kazuya DAITO, Harpreet SINGH
  • Patent number: 11054184
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of treating a substrate includes placing a substrate onto one of a plurality of substrate holders of a movable substrate carrier within a non-vacuum enclosure of a substrate treatment apparatus; heating the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; supplying a gas into the non-vacuum enclosure to react with a surface of the substrate; and exhausting the gas from the non-vacuum enclosure through a vent in the non-vacuum enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20190219330
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of treating a substrate includes placing a substrate onto one of a plurality of substrate holders of a movable substrate carrier within a non-vacuum enclosure of a substrate treatment apparatus; heating the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; supplying a gas into the non-vacuum enclosure to react with a surface of the substrate; and exhausting the gas from the non-vacuum enclosure through a vent in the non-vacuum enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. KUTNEY
  • Patent number: 10247473
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a non-vacuum enclosure; at least one opening in the non-vacuum enclosure to insert a substrate into or remove a substrate from the non-vacuum enclosure; a movable substrate carrier, including a plurality of substrate holders, disposed within the non-vacuum enclosure to linearly move substrates disposed on the plurality of substrate holders; a heater to heat an interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; a gas supply to supply a gas to the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; and a vent to exhaust the gas from the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael C. Kutney
  • Patent number: 9982786
    Abstract: Embodiments of valves having adjustable hard stops and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The adjustable valve includes a valve body including an inlet and an outlet; a valve member that is moveable between a fully closed position and a fully open position to selectively allow or prevent flow from the inlet to the outlet; and an adjustable hard stop to limit the fully open position of the valve to an adjusted fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael C. Kutney
  • Patent number: 9685655
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming battery active material on a substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for depositing a battery active material on a surface of a substrate includes a substrate conveyor system for transporting the substrate within the apparatus, a material spray assembly disposed above the substrate conveyor system, and a first heating element disposed adjacent to the material spray assembly above the substrate conveyor system configured to heat the substrate. The material spray assembly has a 2-D array of nozzles configured to electrospray an electrode forming solution on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei C. Wang, Hooman Bolandi, Connie P. Wang, Victor Pebenito, Siqing Lu, Michael C. Kutney, Joseph G. Gordon, Robert Z. Bachrach
  • Publication number: 20160020454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming battery active material on a substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for depositing a battery active material on a surface of a substrate includes a substrate conveyor system for transporting the substrate within the apparatus, a material spray assembly disposed above the substrate conveyor system, and a first heating element disposed adjacent to the material spray assembly above the substrate conveyor system configured to heat the substrate. The material spray assembly has a 2-D array of nozzles configured to electrospray an electrode forming solution on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei C. WANG, Hooman BOLANDI, Connie P. WANG, Victor PEBENITO, Siqing LU, Michael C. KUTNEY, Joseph G. GORDON, Robert Z. BACHRACH
  • Publication number: 20150345645
    Abstract: Embodiments of valves having adjustable hard stops and methods of use thereof are provided herein. The adjustable valve includes a valve body including an inlet and an outlet; a valve member that is moveable between a fully closed position and a fully open position to selectively allow or prevent flow from the inlet to the outlet; and an adjustable hard stop to limit the fully open position of the valve to an adjusted fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. KUTNEY
  • Publication number: 20150204606
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a non-vacuum enclosure; at least one opening in the non-vacuum enclosure to insert a substrate into or remove a substrate from the non-vacuum enclosure; a movable substrate carrier, including a plurality of substrate holders, disposed within the non-vacuum enclosure to linearly move substrates disposed on the plurality of substrate holders; a heater to heat an interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; a gas supply to supply a gas to the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure; and a vent to exhaust the gas from the interior of the non-vacuum enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventor: Michael C. Kutney
  • Patent number: 8617351
    Abstract: A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece, includes a vacuum chamber defined by a sidewall and ceiling, and a workpiece support pedestal having a workpiece support surface in the chamber and facing the ceiling and including a cathode electrode. An RF power generator is coupled to the cathode electrode. Plasma distribution is controlled by an external annular inner electromagnet in a first plane overlying the workpiece support surface, an external annular outer electromagnet in a second plane overlying the workpiece support surface and having a greater diameter than the inner electromagnet, and an external annular bottom electromagnet in a third plane underlying the workpiece support surface. D.C. current supplies are connected to respective ones of the inner, outer and bottom electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Roger A. Lindley, Michael C. Kutney, Martin J. Salinas, Hamid F. Tavassoli, Keiji Horioka, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8440019
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20120325406
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: James D. CARDUCCI, Andrew NGUYEN, Ajit BALAKRISHNA, Michael C. KUTNEY
  • Patent number: 8313578
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber having a lowered flow equalizer and a lower chamber liner. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. By equalizing the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber, a more uniform etching may occur. By electrically coupling the flow equalizer to the chamber liners, the RF return path from the flow equalizer may run along the chamber liners and hence, reduce the amount of plasma drawn below the substrate during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Kin Pong Lo, Kallol Bera, Michael C. Kutney, Matthew L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8282736
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20120219841
    Abstract: A spray module for depositing an electro-active material over a flexible conductive substrate is provided. The spray module comprises a first heated roller for heating and transferring the flexible conductive substrate, a second heated roller for heating and transferring the flexible conductive substrate, a first spray dispenser positioned adjacent to the first heated roller for depositing electro-active material onto the flexible conductive substrate as the flexible conductive substrate is heated by the first heated roller, and a second spray dispenser positioned adjacent to the second heated roller for depositing electro-active material over the flexible conductive substrate as the flexible conductive substrate is heated by the second heated roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Hooman Bolandi, Mahendra C. Orilall, Victor Pebenito, Karl M. Brown, Michael C. Kutney, Connie P. Wang, Robert Z. Bachrach
  • Publication number: 20120145326
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: James D. CARDUCCI, Andrew NGUYEN, Ajit BALAKRISHNA, Michael C. KUTNEY
  • Publication number: 20120064225
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for simultaneously depositing an anodically or cathodically active material on opposing sides of a flexible conductive substrate is provided. The apparatus comprises a chamber body defining one or more processing regions in which a flexible conductive substrate is exposed to a dual sided spray deposition process, wherein each of the one or more processing regions are further divided into a first spray deposition region and a second spray deposition region for simultaneously spraying an anodically active or cathodically active material onto opposing sides of a portion of the flexible conductive substrate, wherein each of the first and second spray deposition regions comprise a spray dispenser cartridge for delivering the activated material toward the flexible conductive substrate and a movable collection shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Z. Bachrach, Connie P. Wang, Sergey D. Lopatin, Hooman Bolandi, Ruben Babayants, Karl M. Brown, Michael C. Kutney
  • Patent number: 8118938
    Abstract: A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Carducci, Andrew Nguyen, Ajit Balakrishna, Michael C. Kutney
  • Publication number: 20120037068
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for uniformly heating substrates. The apparatus include a transferable puck having at least one electrode and a dielectric coating. The transferable puck can be biased with a biasing assembly relative to a substrate, and transferred independently of the biasing assembly during a fabrication process while maintaining the bias relative to the substrate. The puck absorbs radiant heat from a heat source and uniformly conducts the heat to a substrate coupled to the puck. The puck has high emissivity and high thermal conductivity for absorbing and transferring the radiant heat to the substrate. The high thermal conductivity allows for a uniform temperature profile across the substrate, thereby increasing deposition uniformity. The method includes disposing a light-absorbing material on an optically transparent substrate, and radiating the light-absorbing material with a radiant heat source to heat the optically transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jie Su, Donald J.K. Olgado, Michael C. Kutney