Patents by Inventor Michael W. Richter
Michael W. Richter 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).
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Patent number: 6834777Abstract: Liquid material is precisely dispensed to a semiconductor processing tool utilizing closed loop control. In one embodiment, CMP slurry material of known density is supplied from a reservoir/mixing vessel to a dispense module. The dispense module also receives a flow of an inert gas through a gas supply valve. Positive pressure arising within the dispense module due to the inert gas flow causes an outflow of slurry from the dispense module to the CMP platen. The rate of flow of the slurry to the CMP platen over time is determined by monitoring the change (decline) in weight of the filled dispense module. In a similar manner, variation in the rate of flow of slurry over time may be detected by monitoring variation in changes in weight of the filled dispense module over time. A regulator structure in electronic communication with the dispense module and with the gas supply valve receives first signals at different time points indicating the weight change of the dispense module.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. Osterheld, Benjamin A. Bonner, Michael W. Richter
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Publication number: 20030189060Abstract: Liquid material is precisely dispensed to a semiconductor processing tool utilizing closed loop control. In one embodiment, CMP slurry material of known density is supplied from a reservoir/mixing vessel to a dispense module. The dispense module also receives a flow of an inert gas through a gas supply valve. Positive pressure arising within the dispense module due to the inert gas flow causes an outflow of slurry from the dispense module to the CMP platen. The rate of flow of the slurry to the CMP platen over time is determined by monitoring the change (decline) in weight of the filled dispense module. In a similar manner, variation in the rate of flow of slurry over time may be detected by monitoring variation in changes in weight of the filled dispense module over time. A regulator structure in electronic communication with the dispense module and with the gas supply valve receives first signals at different time points indicating the weight change of the dispense module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. Osterheld, Benjamin A. Bonner, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6561381Abstract: Liquid material is precisely dispensed to a semiconductor processing tool utilizing closed loop control. In one embodiment, CMP slurry material of known density is supplied from a reservoir/mixing vessel to a dispense module. The dispense module also receives a flow of an inert gas through a gas supply valve. Positive pressure arising within the dispense module due to the inert gas flow causes an outflow of slurry from the dispense module to the CMP platen. The rate of flow of the slurry to the CMP platen over time is determined by monitoring the change (decline) in weight of the filled dispense module. In a similar manner, variation in the rate of flow of slurry over time may be detected by monitoring variation in changes in weight of the filled dispense module over time. A regulator structure in electronic communication with the dispense module and with the gas supply valve receives first signals at different time points indicating the weight change of the dispense module.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. Osterheld, Benjamin A. Bonner, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6435868Abstract: A load lock chamber includes a chamber body having an aperture to allow a substrate to be transferred into or out of the chamber. The load lock chamber is configurable in several configurations, including a base configuration for providing a transition between two different pressures, a heating configuration for heating the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures, and a cooling configuration for cooling the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures. Various features of the chamber configurations help increase the throughput of the system by enabling rapid heating and cooling of substrates and simultaneous evacuation and venting of the chamber, and help compensate for thermal losses near the substrate edges, thereby providing a more uniform temperature across the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6286230Abstract: A method of transferring and processing a substrate in an evacuable chamber which is located adjacent a process chamber and back-to-back process chambers, and other combinations of evacuable chambers and process chambers. The method includes the use of various isolation valves disposed between adjacent chambers, as well as gas flow valves and vacuum valves. By controlling the positions of the valves, the flow of gas to and from the different chambers can be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter
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Publication number: 20010000747Abstract: A load lock chamber includes a chamber body having an aperture to allow a substrate to be transferred into or out of the chamber. The load lock chamber is configurable in several configurations, including a base configuration for providing a transition between two different pressures, a heating configuration for heating the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures, and a cooling configuration for cooling the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures. Various features of the chamber configurations help increase the throughput of the system by enabling rapid heating and cooling of substrates and simultaneous evacuation and venting of the chamber, and help compensate for thermal losses near the substrate edges, thereby providing a more uniform temperature across the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: May 3, 2001Applicant: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6193507Abstract: A load lock chamber includes a chamber body having an aperture to allow a substrate to be transferred into or out of the chamber. The load lock chamber is configurable in several configurations, including a base configuration for providing a transition between two different pressures, a heating configuration for heating the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures, and a cooling configuration for cooling the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures. Various features of the chamber configurations help increase the throughput of the system by enabling rapid heating and cooling of substrates and simultaneous evacuation and venting of the chamber, and help compensate for thermal losses near the substrate edges, thereby providing a more uniform temperature across the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6086362Abstract: A load lock chamber includes a chamber body having an aperture to allow a substrate to be transferred into or out of the chamber. The load lock chamber is configurable in several configurations, including a base configuration for providing a transition between two different pressures, a heating configuration for heating the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures, and a cooling configuration for cooling the substrate and providing a transition between two different pressures. Various features of the chamber configurations help increase the throughput of the system by enabling rapid heating and cooling of substrates and simultaneous evacuation and venting of the chamber, and help compensate for thermal losses near the substrate edges, thereby providing a more uniform temperature across the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter
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Patent number: 6016611Abstract: A substrate processing system can include an evacuable chamber adjacent a process chamber and back-to-back process chambers, or other combinations of evacuable chambers and process chambers. The processing system includes various isolation valves disposed between adjacent chambers, as well as gas flow valves and vacuum valves. A controller controls the respective positions of the various gas flow valves and vacuum valves depending, in part, on whether the various isolation valves are in their open or sealed positions. By controlling the positions of the valves, the flow of gas to and from the different chambers can be controlled, for example, to help maximize throughput, increase efficiency, and reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination between chambers.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc.Inventors: John M. White, Wendell T. Blonigan, Michael W. Richter