Patents by Inventor Mitsutoshi Yahagi

Mitsutoshi Yahagi 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: 12685063
    Abstract: To achieve a small-sized pre-wet module that can perform different pre-processes. A pre-wet module 200 includes a stage 220, a rotation mechanism 224, a cleaning liquid supply member 260, and a deaerated liquid supply member 250. The stage 220 is configured to hold a back surface of a substrate WF with a surface to be processed WF-a facing upward. The rotation mechanism 224 is configured to rotate the stage 220. The cleaning liquid supply member 260 has a nozzle 262 arranged above the stage 220. The cleaning liquid supply member 260 is configured to supply a cleaning liquid in a direction to the stage 220 via the nozzle 262. The deaerated liquid supply member 250 is configured to supply a deaerated liquid to a surface to be processed WF-a of a substrate WF held onto the stage 220. The deaerated liquid supply member 250 is configured to be movable between a supply position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20250038014
    Abstract: To achieve a small-sized pre-wet module that can perform different pre-processes. A pre-wet module 200 includes a stage 220, a rotation mechanism 224, a cleaning liquid supply member 260, and a deaerated liquid supply member 250. The stage 220 is configured to hold a back surface of a substrate WF with a surface to be processed WF-a facing upward. The rotation mechanism 224 is configured to rotate the stage 220. The cleaning liquid supply member 260 has a nozzle 262 arranged above the stage 220. The cleaning liquid supply member 260 is configured to supply a cleaning liquid in a direction to the stage 220 via the nozzle 262. The deaerated liquid supply member 250 is configured to supply a deaerated liquid to a surface to be processed WF-a of a substrate WF held onto the stage 220. The deaerated liquid supply member 250 is configured to be movable between a supply position and a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi YAHAGI
  • Patent number: 12076760
    Abstract: A preprocess is efficiently performed on a substrate. A pre-wet module 200 includes a deaeration tank 210, a processing device 258, a substrate holder 220, and a drive mechanism 230. The deaeration tank 210 is configured to house a deaerated liquid. The processing device 258 includes a nozzle 268 configured to supply a cleaning liquid to a surface to be processed of a substrate having the surface to be processed facing upward. The substrate holder 220 is disposed between the deaeration tank 210 and the processing device 258. The substrate holder 220 includes a first holding member 222 configured to hold a first substrate and a second holding member 224 configured to hold a second substrate. The drive mechanism 230 is configured to rotate and move up and down the substrate holder 220. The drive mechanism 230 includes a rotation mechanism 240 and an elevating mechanism 248.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Seki, Mitsutoshi Yahagi, Nobuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20240050992
    Abstract: A preprocess is efficiently performed on a substrate. A pre-wet module 200 includes a deaeration tank 210, a processing device 258, a substrate holder 220, and a drive mechanism 230. The deaeration tank 210 is configured to house a deaerated liquid. The processing device 258 includes a nozzle 268 configured to supply a cleaning liquid to a surface to be processed of a substrate having the surface to be processed facing upward. The substrate holder 220 is disposed between the deaeration tank 210 and the processing device 258. The substrate holder 220 includes a first holding member 222 configured to hold a first substrate and a second holding member 224 configured to hold a second substrate. The drive mechanism 230 is configured to rotate and move up and down the substrate holder 220. The drive mechanism 230 includes a rotation mechanism 240 and an elevating mechanism 248.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Masaya SEKI, Mitsutoshi YAHAGI, Nobuya YAMADA
  • Patent number: 11833551
    Abstract: A preprocess is efficiently performed on a substrate. A pre-wet module 200 includes a deaeration tank 210, a processing device 258, a substrate holder 220, and a drive mechanism 230. The deaeration tank 210 is configured to house a deaerated liquid. The processing device 258 includes a nozzle 268 configured to supply a cleaning liquid to a surface to be processed of a substrate having the surface to be processed facing upward. The substrate holder 220 is disposed between the deaeration tank 210 and the processing device 258. The substrate holder 220 includes a first holding member 222 configured to hold a first substrate and a second holding member 224 configured to hold a second substrate. The drive mechanism 230 is configured to rotate and move up and down the substrate holder 220. The drive mechanism 230 includes a rotation mechanism 240 and an elevating mechanism 248.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Seki, Mitsutoshi Yahagi, Nobuya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20220379352
    Abstract: A preprocess is efficiently performed on a substrate. A pre-wet module 200 includes a deaeration tank 210, a processing device 258, a substrate holder 220, and a drive mechanism 230. The deaeration tank 210 is configured to house a deaerated liquid. The processing device 258 includes a nozzle 268 configured to supply a cleaning liquid to a surface to be processed of a substrate having the surface to be processed facing upward. The substrate holder 220 is disposed between the deaeration tank 210 and the processing device 258. The substrate holder 220 includes a first holding member 222 configured to hold a first substrate and a second holding member 224 configured to hold a second substrate. The drive mechanism 230 is configured to rotate and move up and down the substrate holder 220. The drive mechanism 230 includes a rotation mechanism 240 and an elevating mechanism 248.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Masaya SEKI, Mitsutoshi YAHAGI, Nobuya YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20210198800
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved leak checking method which can accurately test a sealing performance of a substrate holder more than conventional leak check techniques. The leak checking method includes: holding a substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member, the second holding member having an opening through which a surface of the substrate is exposed; pressing a sealing projection of the second holding member against the surface of the substrate when holding the substrate with the substrate holder; covering the surface of the substrate, exposed through the opening, and the sealing projection with a sealing cap; forming a hermetic space between the sealing cap and the substrate holder; introducing a pressurized gas into the hermetic space; and detecting a decrease in pressure of the pressurized gas in the hermetic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ogata, Masaaki Kimura, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10982347
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved leak checking method which can accurately test a sealing performance of a substrate holder more than conventional leak check techniques. The leak checking method includes: holding a substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member, the second holding member having an opening through which a surface of the substrate is exposed; pressing a sealing projection of the second holding member against the surface of the substrate when holding the substrate with the substrate holder; covering the surface of the substrate, exposed through the opening, and the sealing projection with a sealing cap; forming a hermetic space between the sealing cap and the substrate holder; introducing a pressurized gas into the hermetic space; and detecting a decrease in pressure of the pressurized gas in the hermetic space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ogata, Masaaki Kimura, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10830834
    Abstract: A current measuring module for measuring a current flowing through the substrate holder using an inspection substrate is provided. The substrate holder includes a plurality of holder electric contacts. The plurality of holder electric contacts contact a substrate to supply the held substrate with a current. The substrate holder holds the inspection substrate for measuring the current flowing through the substrate holder. The plurality of holder electric contacts contact a plurality of respective independent substrate electric contacts disposed on the inspection substrate. The inspection substrate includes a plurality of measurement points connected to the plurality of respective substrate electric contacts with wirings and substrate side connectors electrically connected to the plurality of measurement points. The current measuring module includes a plurality of inspection probes configured to contact the plurality of respective measurement points on the inspection substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Tomita, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20200010972
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved leak checking method which can accurately test a sealing performance of a substrate holder more than conventional leak check techniques. The leak checking method includes: holding a substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member, the second holding member having an opening through which a surface of the substrate is exposed; pressing a sealing projection of the second holding member against the surface of the substrate when holding the substrate with the substrate holder; covering the surface of the substrate, exposed through the opening, and the sealing projection with a sealing cap; forming a hermetic space between the sealing cap and the substrate holder; introducing a pressurized gas into the hermetic space; and detecting a decrease in pressure of the pressurized gas in the hermetic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ogata, Masaaki Kimura, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10513795
    Abstract: In-plane uniformity of a film that is plated on a polygonal substrate is enhanced. An anode holder configured to hold an anode, a substrate holder configured to hold a polygonal substrate, a plating bath for accommodating the anode holder and the substrate holder, and dipping the anode and the substrate in a plating solution, and a control device for controlling a current that flows between the anode and the substrate are included. The substrate holder has a plurality of power feeding members that are disposed along respective sides of the polygonal substrate. The control device is configured to be able to control the current so that currents of at least two different values are simultaneously supplied to the plurality of power feeding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junko Mine, Tsutomu Nakada, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10458036
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved leak checking method which can accurately test a sealing performance of a substrate holder more than conventional leak check techniques. The leak checking method includes: holding a substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member, the second holding member having an opening through which a surface of the substrate is exposed; pressing a sealing projection of the second holding member against the surface of the substrate when holding the substrate with the substrate holder; covering the surface of the substrate, exposed through the opening, and the sealing projection with a sealing cap; forming a hermetic space between the sealing cap and the substrate holder; introducing a pressurized gas into the hermetic space; and detecting a decrease in pressure of the pressurized gas in the hermetic space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ogata, Masaaki Kimura, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20190249326
    Abstract: In-plane uniformity of a film that is plated on a polygonal substrate is enhanced. An anode holder configured to hold an anode, a substrate holder configured to hold a polygonal substrate, a plating bath for accommodating the anode holder and the substrate holder, and dipping the anode and the substrate in a plating solution, and a control device for controlling a current that flows between the anode and the substrate are included. The substrate holder has a plurality of power feeding members that are disposed along respective sides of the polygonal substrate. The control device is configured to be able to control the current so that currents of at least two different values are simultaneously supplied to the plurality of power feeding members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Junko MINE, Tsutomu NAKADA, Mitsutoshi YAHAGI
  • Publication number: 20190219627
    Abstract: A current measuring module for measuring a current flowing through the substrate holder using an inspection substrate is provided. The substrate holder includes a plurality of holder electric contacts. The plurality of holder electric contacts contact a substrate to supply the held substrate with a current. The substrate holder holds the inspection substrate for measuring the current flowing through the substrate holder. The plurality of holder electric contacts contact a plurality of respective independent substrate electric contacts disposed on the inspection substrate. The inspection substrate includes a plurality of measurement points connected to the plurality of respective substrate electric contacts with wirings and substrate side connectors electrically connected to the plurality of measurement points. The current measuring module includes a plurality of inspection probes configured to contact the plurality of respective measurement points on the inspection substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Masaki TOMITA, Hiroyuki TAKENAKA, Mitsutoshi YAHAGI
  • Patent number: 10316426
    Abstract: In-plane uniformity of a film that is plated on a polygonal substrate is enhanced. An anode holder configured to hold an anode, a substrate holder configured to hold a polygonal substrate, a plating bath for accommodating the anode holder and the substrate holder, and dipping the anode and the substrate in a plating solution, and a control device for controlling a current that flows between the anode and the substrate are included. The substrate holder has a plurality of power feeding members that are disposed along respective sides of the polygonal substrate. The control device is configured to be able to control the current so that currents of at least two different values are simultaneously supplied to the plurality of power feeding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junko Mine, Tsutomu Nakada, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Patent number: 10316425
    Abstract: A substrate holder according to the present invention comprises a first power supply member and a second power supply member which allow power to be supplied to substrates having different properties. The first power supply member comprises a first power supply member end part which extends toward the inside of a substrate holding surface and is disposed at a first position of the substrate holding surface. The second power supply member comprises a second power supply member end part which extends toward the inside of the substrate holding surface and is disposed at a second position of the substrate holding surface. The first position is located on the center side of the substrate holding surface relative to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yajima, Mitsutoshi Yahagi, Masaaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10240247
    Abstract: To provide an anode holder and a plating apparatus including the same, the anode holder being configured to prevent additives and black films from spreading by moving between an internal space in which an anode is provided and an external space. An anode holder 60 according to the present invention includes: an internal space 61 that houses an anode therein; a diaphragm configured so as to cover a front face of the internal space 61; a hole 71 that is formed on an external surface of the anode holder and which communicates with the internal space 61; and a valve 91 that seals the hole 71 shut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Yahagi, Masaaki Kimura, Junichiro Tsujino
  • Patent number: 10214830
    Abstract: A substrate holder for holding a substrate, such as a wafer, is disclosed. The substrate holder includes a seal ring which can be brought into contact with a peripheral portion of the substrate, a support ring supporting the seal ring, and a fixing ring pressing the seal ring against the support ring. The fixing ring includes an annular portion having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, each of which is constituted by a tapered surface. The fixing ring further includes a seal-ring pressing portion connected to the annular portion, and a regulation ring projecting radially inwardly from the seal-ring pressing portion. The regulation ring has an inside diameter which is smaller than an inside diameter of the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Yahagi, Masaaki Kimura, Yusuke Tamari
  • Patent number: 10106906
    Abstract: There is disclosed a plating apparatus which can dispose an anode, a substrate and a regulation plate parallel to each other in such a manner that the center of the anode, the center of the substrate and the center of an opening of the regulation plate are aligned in a straight line. A frame of the plating apparatus includes: a support for supporting upper portions of an anode holder, a substrate holder and the regulation plate; a box structure secured to the support; an upper positioning structure for fixing a relative position between the support and the upper portions of the anode holder, the substrate holder and the regulation plate; and a lower positioning structure for fixing a relative position between the box structure and lower portions of the anode holder, the substrate holder and the regulation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaaki Kimura, Mitsutoshi Yahagi
  • Publication number: 20180135198
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved leak checking method which can accurately test a sealing performance of a substrate holder more than conventional leak check techniques. The leak checking method includes: holding a substrate with a substrate holder, the substrate holder including a first holding member and a second holding member, the second holding member having an opening through which a surface of the substrate is exposed; pressing a sealing projection of the second holding member against the surface of the substrate when holding the substrate with the substrate holder; covering the surface of the substrate, exposed through the opening, and the sealing projection with a sealing cap; forming a hermetic space between the sealing cap and the substrate holder; introducing a pressurized gas into the hermetic space; and detecting a decrease in pressure of the pressurized gas in the hermetic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Shoichiro OGATA, Masaaki KIMURA, Mitsutoshi YAHAGI