Patents by Inventor Michael R. Rice

Michael R. Rice 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: 20220380898
    Abstract: A gas distribution plate for a showerhead assembly of a processing chamber may include at least a first plate and second plate. The first plate may include a first plurality holes each having a diameter of at least about 100 um. The second plate may include a second plurality of holes each having a diameter of at least about 100 um. Further, each of the first plurality of holes is aligned with a respective one of the second plurality of holes forming a plurality of interconnected holes. Each of the interconnected holes is isolated from each other interconnected holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Sumit AGARWAL, Sanjeev BALUJA, Chad PETERSON, Michael R. RICE
  • Publication number: 20220364261
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a process chamber for processing of semiconductor substrates. The process chamber includes an upper lamp assembly, a lower lamp assembly, a substrate support, an upper window disposed between the substrate support and the upper lamp assembly, a lower window disposed between the lower lamp assembly and the substrate support, an inject ring, and a base ring. Each of the upper lamp assembly and the lower lamp assembly include vertically oriented lamp apertures for the placement of heating lamps therein. The inject ring includes gas injectors disposed therethrough and the base ring includes a substrate transfer passage, a lower chamber exhaust passage, and one or more upper chamber exhaust passages. The gas injectors are disposed over the substrate transfer passage and across from the lower chamber exhaust passage and the one or more upper chamber exhaust passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuya ISHIKAWA, Swaminathan T. SRINIVASAN, Kartik Bhupendra SHAH, Ala MORADIAN, Manjunath SUBBANNA, Matthias BAUER, Peter REIMER, Michael R. RICE
  • Publication number: 20220367216
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an epitaxial chamber for processing of semiconductor substrates. In one example, the epitaxial chamber has a chamber body assembly. The chamber body assembly includes a lower window and an upper window, wherein chamber body assembly, the lower window and the upper window enclose an internal volume. A susceptor assembly is disposed in the internal volume. The epitaxial chamber also has a plurality of temperature control elements. The plurality of temperature control elements include one or more of an upper lamp module, a lower lamp module, an upper heater, a lower heater, or a heated gas passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuya ISHIKAWA, Swaminathan T. SRINIVASAN, Matthias BAUER, Ala MORADIAN, Manjunath SUBBANNA, Kartik Bhupendra SHAH, Kostiantyn ACHKASOV, Errol Antonio C. SANCHEZ, Michael R. RICE, Marc SHULL, Ji-Dih HU
  • Publication number: 20220364229
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include processes and apparatuses relate to epitaxial deposition. A method for epitaxially depositing a material is provided and includes positioning a substrate on a substrate support surface of a susceptor within a process volume of a chamber body, where the process volume contains upper and lower chamber regions. The method includes flowing a process gas containing one or more chemical precursors from an upper gas inlet on a first side of the chamber body, across the substrate, and to an upper gas outlet on a second side of the chamber body, flowing a purge gas from a lower gas inlet on the first side of the chamber body, across the lower surface of the susceptor, and to a lower gas outlet on the second side of the chamber body, and maintaining a pressure of the lower chamber region greater than a pressure of the upper chamber region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuya ISHIKAWA, Swaminathan T. SRINIVASAN, Matthias BAUER, Manjunath SUBBANNA, Ala MORADIAN, Kartik Bhupendra SHAH, Errol Antonio C SANCHEZ, Michael R. RICE, Peter REIMER, Marc SHULL
  • Publication number: 20220364231
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to gas inject apparatus for a process chamber for processing of semiconductor substrates. The gas inject apparatus include one or more gas injectors which are configured to be coupled to the process chamber. Each of the gas injectors are configured to receive a process gas and distribute the process gas across one or more gas outlets. The gas injectors include a plurality of pathways, a fin array, and a baffle array. The gas injectors are individually heated. A gas mixture assembly is also utilized to control the concentration of process gases flown into a process volume from each of the gas injectors. The gas mixture assembly enables the concentration as well as the flow rate of the process gases to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Tetsuya ISHIKAWA, Swaminathan T. SRINIVASAN, Matthias BAUER, Ala MORADIAN, Manjunath SUBBANNA, Kartik Bhupendra SHAH, Errol Antonio C. SANCHEZ, Sohrab ZOKAEI, Michael R. RICE, Peter REIMER
  • Publication number: 20220319904
    Abstract: Apparatuses including a height-adjustable edge ring, and methods for use thereof are described herein. In one example, a process kit for processing a substrate is provided. The process kit has a support ring comprising an upper surface having an inner edge disposed at a first height and an outward edge disposed at a second height less than the first height, the inner edge having a greater thickness than the outward edge. An edge ring is disposed on the support ring, an inner surface of the edge ring interfaced with the inner edge of the support ring. A cover ring is disposed outward of the edge ring, the edge ring independently moveable relative to the support ring and the cover ring. Push pins are disposed inward of the cover ring, the push pins operable to elevate the edge ring while constraining radial movement of the support ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. RICE, Yogananda SARODE VISHWANATH, Sunil SRINIVASAN, Rajinder DHINDSA, Steven E. BABAYAN, Olivier LUERE, Denis M. KOOSAU, Imad YOUSIF
  • Patent number: 11456197
    Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for causing a factory interface of an electronic device manufacturing system to be moveable between a first position and a second position. An electronic device manufacturing system can include a transfer chamber, processing chambers connected to the transfer chamber, a load lock connected to the transfer chamber, and a factory interface connected to the load lock. The factory interface can be moveable between a first position and a second position. The factory interface, while oriented in the first position, is positioned for transfer of one or more substrates between the factory interface and the load lock, where at least one of the transfer chamber or the load lock are inaccessible for maintenance while the factory interface is oriented at the first position. The factory interface, while oriented in the second position, is positioned to provide maintenance access to at least one of the transfer chamber or the load lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Jeffrey C. Hudgens
  • Publication number: 20220293397
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrates supports for use in process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes: a dielectric plate having a first side configured to support a substrate having a given diameter and including an annular groove disposed in the first side, wherein the annular groove has an inner diameter that is less than the given diameter and an outer diameter that is greater than the given diameter, wherein the dielectric plate includes a chucking electrode; an insert ring disposed in the annular groove of the dielectric plate; and an edge ring disposed on the dielectric plate, wherein the edge ring has an inner diameter that is greater than the given diameter and less than the outer diameter of the annular groove such that the edge ring is disposed over a portion of the insert ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. RICE, Kenneth S. COLLINS, James David CARDUCCI, Shahid RAUF, Kartik RAMASWAMY
  • Patent number: 11424104
    Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a chamber body having an interior space that provides a plasma chamber and having a ceiling, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, a pump coupled to the plasma chamber to evacuate the chamber, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece, and an intra-chamber electrode assembly. The intra-chamber electrode assembly includes an insulating frame, a first plurality of coplanar filaments that extend laterally through the plasma chamber between the ceiling and the workpiece support along a first direction, and a second plurality of coplanar filaments that extend in parallel through the plasma chamber along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each filament of the first and second plurality of filaments includes a conductor at least partially surrounded by an insulating shell. A first RF power source supplies a first RF power to the conductor of the intra-chamber electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci
  • Patent number: 11393710
    Abstract: Apparatuses including a height-adjustable edge ring, and methods for use thereof are described herein. In one example, a substrate support assembly includes a height-adjustable edge ring, and the substrate support assembly is located within a process chamber. The substrate support assembly includes an electrostatic chuck, an edge ring positioned on a portion of the electrostatic chuck, and one or more actuators to adjust the height of the edge ring via one or more push pins. The height-adjustable edge ring can be used to compensate for erosion of the edge ring over time. In addition, the height-adjustable edge ring can be removed from the process chamber via a slit valve opening without venting and opening the process chamber. The height-adjustable edge ring can be tilted by the one or more actuators in order to improve azimuthal uniformity at the edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Yogananda Sarode Vishwanath, Sunil Srinivasan, Rajinder Dhindsa, Steven E. Babayan, Olivier Luere, Denis M. Koosau, Imad Yousif
  • Patent number: 11355321
    Abstract: A processing tool for a plasma process includes a chamber body that has an interior space that provides a plasma chamber and that has a ceiling and an opening on a side opposite the ceiling, a workpiece support to hold a workpiece such that at least a portion of a front surface of the workpiece faces the opening, an actuator to generate relative motion between the chamber body and the workpiece support such that the opening moves laterally across the workpiece, a gas distributor to deliver a processing gas to the plasma chamber, an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of coplanar filaments extending laterally through the plasma chamber between the workpiece support and the ceiling, each of the plurality of filaments including a conductor, and a first RF power source to supply a first RF power to the conductors of the electrode assembly to form a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, Kartik Ramaswamy, James D. Carducci
  • Patent number: 11332827
    Abstract: A gas distribution plate for a showerhead assembly of a processing chamber may include at least a first plate and second plate. The first plate may include a first plurality holes each having a diameter of at least about 100 um. The second plate may include a second plurality of holes each having a diameter of at least about 100 um. Further, each of the first plurality of holes is aligned with a respective one of the second plurality of holes forming a plurality of interconnected holes. Each of the interconnected holes is isolated from each other interconnected holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Agarwal, Sanjeev Baluja, Chad Peterson, Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 11328938
    Abstract: A system includes a filter purge apparatus configured to supply a flushing gas to a portion of a factory interface chamber located upstream of a chamber filter to minimize moisture contamination of the chamber filter by ambient air. The filter purge apparatus is configured to supply the flushing gas in association with breach of the factory interface chamber which compromises controlled environment of the factory interface chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Rice
  • Publication number: 20220084794
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma treatment chamber, comprising one or more sidewalls. A support surface within the one or more sidewalls holds a workpiece. A first gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a first gas flow in a first direction generally parallel to and across a surface of the workpiece. A first pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the first gas injector pumps out the first gas flow. A second gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a second gas flow in a second direction generally parallel to and across the surface of the workpiece. A second pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the second gas injector pumps out the second gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, James D. Carducci, Kartik Ramaswamy, Ajit Balakrishna, Shahid Rauf, Jason Kenney
  • Publication number: 20220084795
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a plasma treatment chamber, comprising one or more sidewalls. A support surface within the one or more sidewalls holds a workpiece. A first gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a first gas flow in a first direction generally parallel to and across a surface of the workpiece. A first pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the first gas injector pumps out the first gas flow. A second gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a second gas flow in a second direction generally parallel to and across the surface of the workpiece. A second pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the second gas injector pumps out the second gas flow. The first and second gas flows comprise a process gas mixture and/or an independent gas injection (IGI) mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Collins, Michael R. Rice, James D. Carducci, Daisuke Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20220081762
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of forming coated articles. In one embodiment, a method comprises depositing one or more rare earth metal-containing ceramic compounds on an article by atomic layer deposition, for example, to coat surfaces of high aspect ratio internal channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaowei Wu, Jennifer Y. Sun, Michael R. Rice
  • Publication number: 20220068677
    Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for integrating load locks into a factory interface footprint space. A factory interface for an electronic device manufacturing system can include an interior volume defined by a bottom, a top and a plurality of sides, a first load lock disposed within the interior volume of the factory interface, and a first factory interface robot disposed within the interior volume of the factory interface, wherein the first factory interface robot is configured to transfer substrates between a first set of substrate carriers and the first load lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jacob Newman, Andrew J. Constant, Michael R. Rice, Paul B. Reuter, Shay Assaf, Sushant S. Koshti
  • Patent number: 11244846
    Abstract: Electronic device manufacturing apparatus and robot apparatus are described. The apparatus are configured to efficiently pick and place substrates wherein the robot apparatus includes an upper arm and three blades B1, B2, B3 that are independently rotatable. The three blades are configured to service a first dual load lock and second dual load lock wherein each dual load lock includes a different pitch. In some embodiments, a first pitch P1 is smaller than a second pitch P2. Blades B2 and B3 (or optionally blades B1 and B2) can service the first dual load lock with Pitch P1 and blades B1 and B3 can service the second dual load lock including the second pitch P2. Methods of operating the electronic device manufacturing apparatus and the robot apparatus are provided, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Michael R. Rice, Karuppasamy Muthukamatchi, Nir Merry
  • Patent number: 11195734
    Abstract: Dual load lock chambers for use in a multi-chamber processing system are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a dual load lock chamber, includes a first load lock chamber having a first interior volume and a first substrate support, wherein the first substrate support includes a first plurality of support surfaces vertically spaced apart by a first predetermined distance; at least one heat transfer device disposed within the first substrate support to heat or cool the first plurality of substrates; and a second load lock chamber disposed adjacent to the first load lock chamber and having a second interior volume and a second substrate support, wherein the second substrate support includes a second plurality of support surfaces vertically spaced apart by a second predetermined distance that less than the first predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael R. Rice
  • Patent number: 11180847
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to coated articles and methods of coating articles. In one embodiment, a coated article comprises an article adapted for use in a processing chamber, and a coating formed on exterior and interior surfaces of the article. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a rare earth metal-containing ceramic, and the coating is substantially uniform, conformal, and porosity-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaowei Wu, Jennifer Y. Sun, Michael R. Rice