Patents by Inventor Neil Bassom

Neil Bassom 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: 20240029998
    Abstract: An ion implantation system has a mass analyzing magnet having interior and exterior region and defining a first entrance, second entrance, and an exit. A first ion source defines a first ion beam directed toward the first entrance along a first beam path. A second ion source defines a second ion beam directed toward the second entrance along a second beam path. A magnet current source supplies a magnet current to the mass analyzing magnet. Magnet control circuitry controls a polarity of the magnet current based on a formation of the first or second ion beam. The mass analyzing magnet mass analyzes the respective first or second ion beam to define defining a mass analyzed ion beam along a mass analyzed beam path. At least one shield in the interior or exterior region prevents line-of-sight between the first and second ion sources. Beamline components modify the mass analyzed ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom
  • Patent number: 11823858
    Abstract: An ion implantation system has a mass analyzing magnet having interior and exterior region and defining a first entrance, second entrance, and an exit. A first ion source defines a first ion beam directed toward the first entrance along a first beam path. A second ion source defines a second ion beam directed toward the second entrance along a second beam path. A magnet current source supplies a magnet current to the mass analyzing magnet. Magnet control circuitry controls a polarity of the magnet current based on a formation of the first or second ion beam. The mass analyzing magnet mass analyzes the respective first or second ion beam to define defining a mass analyzed ion beam along a mass analyzed beam path. At least one shield in the interior or exterior region prevents line-of-sight between the first and second ion sources. Beamline components modify the mass analyzed ion beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom
  • Publication number: 20230352265
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, ion source, and method are provided having a gaseous aluminum-based ion source material. The gaseous aluminum-based ion source material can be, or include, dimethylaluminum chloride (DMAC), where the DMAC is a liquid that transitions into vapor phase at room temperature. An ion source receives and ionizes the gaseous aluminum-based ion source material to form an ion beam. A low-pressure gas bottle supplies the DMAC as a gas to an arc chamber of the ion source by a primary gas line. A separate, secondary gas line supplies a co-gas, such as a fluorine-containing molecule, to the ion source, where the co-gas and DMAC reduce an energetic carbon cross-contamination and/or increase doubly charged aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 11798775
    Abstract: An ion source has an arc chamber with a first end and a second end. A first cathode at the first end of the arc chamber has a first cathode body and a first filament disposed within the first cathode body. A second cathode at the second end of the arc chamber has a second cathode body and a second filament disposed within the second cathode body. A filament switch selectively electrically couples a filament power supply to each of the first filament and the second filament, respectively, based on a position of the filament switch. A controller controls the position of the filament switch to alternate the electrical coupling of the filament power supply between the first filament and the second filament for a plurality of switching cycles based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria can be a duration of operation of the first filament and second filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom, Jonathan David
  • Publication number: 20230307210
    Abstract: An ion implantation system has a mass analyzing magnet having interior and exterior region and defining a first entrance, second entrance, and an exit. A first ion source defines a first ion beam directed toward the first entrance along a first beam path. A second ion source defines a second ion beam directed toward the second entrance along a second beam path. A magnet current source supplies a magnet current to the mass analyzing magnet. Magnet control circuitry controls a polarity of the magnet current based on a formation of the first or second ion beam. The mass analyzing magnet mass analyzes the respective first or second ion beam to define defining a mass analyzed ion beam along a mass analyzed beam path. At least one shield in the interior or exterior region prevents line-of-sight between the first and second ion sources. Beamline components modify the mass analyzed ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom
  • Patent number: 11756772
    Abstract: An ion source assembly and method has a source gas supply to provide a molecular carbon source gas to an ion source chamber. A source gas flow controller controls flow of the molecular carbon source gas to the ion source chamber. An excitation source excites the molecular carbon source gas to form carbon ions and radicals. An extraction electrode extracts the carbon ions from the ion source chamber, forming an ion beam. An oxidizing co-gas supply provides oxidizing co-gas to chamber. An oxidizing co-gas flow controller controls flow of the oxidizing co-gas to the chamber. The oxidizing co-gas decomposes and reacts with carbonaceous residues and atomic carbon forming carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide within the ion source chamber. A vacuum pump system removes the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, where deposition of atomic carbon within the ion source chamber is reduced and a lifetime of the ion source is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sporleder, Neil Bassom, Neil K. Colvin, Mike Ameen, Xiao Xu
  • Patent number: 11699565
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, ion source, and method are provided having a gaseous aluminum-based ion source material. The gaseous aluminum-based ion source material can be, or include, dimethylaluminum chloride (DMAC), where the DMAC is a liquid that transitions into vapor phase at room temperature. An ion source receives and ionizes the gaseous aluminum-based ion source material to form an ion beam. A low-pressure gas bottle supplies the DMAC as a gas to an arc chamber of the ion source by a primary gas line. A separate, secondary gas line supplies a co-gas, such as a fluorine-containing molecule, to the ion source, where the co-gas and DMAC reduce an energetic carbon cross-contamination and/or increase doubly charged aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 11699563
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, ion source, and method are provided, where an ion source is configured to ionize an aluminum-based ion source material and to form an ion beam and a by-product including a non-conducting material. An etchant gas mixture has a predetermined concentration of fluorine and a noble gas that is in fluid communication with the ion source. The predetermined concentration of fluorine is associated with a predetermined health safety level, such as approximately a 20% maximum concentration of fluorine. The etchant gas mixture can have a co-gas with a concentration less than approximately 5% of argon. The aluminum-based ion source material can be a ceramic member, such as a repeller shaft, a shield, or other member within the ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Xiao Xu
  • Publication number: 20230139138
    Abstract: An ion implantation system has an ion source to generate an ion beam, and a mass analyzer to define a first ion beam having desired ions at a first charge state. A first linear accelerator accelerates the first ion beam to a plurality of first energies. A charge stripper strips electrons from the desired ions defining a second ion beam at a plurality of second charge states. A first dipole magnet spatially disperses and bends the second ion beam at a first angle. A charge defining aperture passes a desired charge state of the second ion beam while blocking a remainder of the plurality of second charge states. A quadrupole apparatus spatially focuses the second ion beam, defining a third ion beam. A second dipole magnet bends the third ion beam at a second angle. A second linear accelerator accelerates the third ion beam. A final energy magnet bends the third ion beam at a third angle, and wherein an energy defining aperture passes only the desired ions at a desired energy and charge state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Shu Satoh, Neil Bassom
  • Publication number: 20230135525
    Abstract: An ion source has arc chamber having one or more radiation generating features, an arc chamber body enclosing an internal volume, and at least one gas inlet aperture defined therein. A gas source provides a gas such as a source species gas or a halide through the gas inlet aperture. The source species gas can be an aluminum-based ion source material such as dimethylaluminum chloride (DMAC). One or more shields positioned proximate to the gas inlet aperture provide a fluid communication between the gas inlet aperture and the internal volume, minimize a line-of-sight from the one or more radiation generating features to the gas inlet aperture, and substantially prevent thermal radiation from reaching the gas inlet aperture from the one or more radiation generating features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Joshua Abeshaus
  • Publication number: 20230100805
    Abstract: An ion source has an arc chamber with a first end and a second end. A first cathode at the first end of the arc chamber has a first cathode body and a first filament disposed within the first cathode body. A second cathode at the second end of the arc chamber has a second cathode body and a second filament disposed within the second cathode body. A filament switch selectively electrically couples a filament power supply to each of the first filament and the second filament, respectively, based on a position of the filament switch. A controller controls the position of the filament switch to alternate the electrical coupling of the filament power supply between the first filament and the second filament for a plurality of switching cycles based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria can be a duration of operation of the first filament and second filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom, Jonathan David
  • Patent number: 11545330
    Abstract: An ion source has an arc chamber having first and second ends and an aperture plate to enclose a chamber volume. An extraction aperture is disposed between the first and second ends. A cathode is near the first end of the arc chamber, and a repeller is near the second end. A generally U-shaped first bias electrode is on a first side of the extraction aperture within the chamber volume. A generally U-shaped second bias electrode is on a second side of the extraction aperture within the chamber volume, where the first and second bias electrodes are separated by a first distance proximate to the extraction aperture and a second distance distal from the extraction aperture. An electrode power supply provides a first and second positive voltage to the first and second bias electrodes, where the first and second positive voltages differ by a predetermined bias differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Paul Silverstein, Neil Bassom, Marvin Farley, David Sporleder
  • Publication number: 20220367138
    Abstract: An ion source has an arc chamber having first and second ends and an aperture plate to enclose a chamber volume. An extraction aperture is disposed between the first and second ends. A cathode is near the first end of the arc chamber, and a repeller is near the second end. A generally U-shaped first bias electrode is on a first side of the extraction aperture within the chamber volume. A generally U-shaped second bias electrode is on a second side of the extraction aperture within the chamber volume, where the first and second bias electrodes are separated by a first distance proximate to the extraction aperture and a second distance distal from the extraction aperture. An electrode power supply provides a first and second positive voltage to the first and second bias electrodes, where the first and second positive voltages differ by a predetermined bias differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Paul Silverstein, Neil Bassom, Marvin Farley, David Sporleder
  • Publication number: 20220139664
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, ion source, and method are provided having a gaseous aluminum-based ion source material. The gaseous aluminum-based ion source material can be, or include, dimethylaluminum chloride (DMAC), where the DMAC is a liquid that transitions into vapor phase at room temperature. An ion source receives and ionizes the gaseous aluminum-based ion source material to form an ion beam. A low-pressure gas bottle supplies the DMAC as a gas to an arc chamber of the ion source by a primary gas line. A separate, secondary gas line supplies a co-gas, such as a fluorine-containing molecule, to the ion source, where the co-gas and DMAC reduce an energetic carbon cross-contamination and/or increase doubly charged aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Edward Moore
  • Publication number: 20220139662
    Abstract: An ion implantation system, ion source, and method are provided, where an ion source is configured to ionize an aluminum-based ion source material and to form an ion beam and a by-product including a non-conducting material. An etchant gas mixture has a predetermined concentration of fluorine and a noble gas that is in fluid communication with the ion source. The predetermined concentration of fluorine is associated with a predetermined health safety level, such as approximately a 20% maximum concentration of fluorine. The etchant gas mixture can have a co-gas with a concentration less than approximately 5% of argon. The aluminum-based ion source material can be a ceramic member, such as a repeller shaft, a shield, or other member within the ion source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Xiao Xu
  • Patent number: 11244800
    Abstract: An ion source for forming a plasma has a cathode with a cavity and a cathode surface defining a cathode step. A filament is disposed within the cavity, and a cathode shield has a cathode shield surface at least partially encircling the cathode surface. A cathode gap is defined between the cathode surface and the cathode shield surface, where the cathode gap defines a tortured path for limiting travel of the plasma through the gap. The cathode surface can have a stepped cylindrical surface defined by a first cathode diameter and a second cathode diameter, where the first cathode diameter and second cathode diameter differ from one another to define the cathode step. The stepped cylindrical surface can be an exterior surface or an interior surface. The first and second cathode diameters can be concentric or axially offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom, Shu Satoh, Paul Silverstein, Marvin Farley
  • Publication number: 20220013323
    Abstract: An ion implantation system has an aluminum trichloride source material. An ion source is configured to ionize the aluminum trichloride source material and form an ion beam. The ionization of the aluminum trichloride source material further forms a by-product having a non-conducting material containing chlorine. A hydrogen introduction apparatus is configured to introduce a reducing agent including hydrogen to the ion source. The reducing agent is configured to alter a chemistry of the non-conducting material to produce a volatile gas by-product. A beamline assembly is configured to selectively transport the ion beam, and an end station is configured to accept the ion beam for implantation of ions into a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Neil Bassom, Xiangyang Wu
  • Publication number: 20210398765
    Abstract: An ion source for forming a plasma has a cathode with a cavity and a cathode surface defining a cathode step. A filament is disposed within the cavity, and a cathode shield has a cathode shield surface at least partially encircling the cathode surface. A cathode gap is defined between the cathode surface and the cathode shield surface, where the cathode gap defines a tortured path for limiting travel of the plasma through the gap. The cathode surface can have a stepped cylindrical surface defined by a first cathode diameter and a second cathode diameter, where the first cathode diameter and second cathode diameter differ from one another to define the cathode step. The stepped cylindrical surface can be an exterior surface or an interior surface. The first and second cathode diameters can be concentric or axially offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Wilhelm Platow, Neil Bassom, Shu Satoh, Paul Silverstein, Marvin Farley
  • Patent number: 11183365
    Abstract: An ion source for an ion implantation system has a plurality of arc chambers. The ion source forms an ion beam from a respective one of the plurality of arc chambers based on a position of the respective one of the plurality of arc chambers with respect to a beamline. The arc chambers are coupled to a carrousel that translates or rotates the respective one of the plurality of arc chambers to a beamline position associated with the beamline. One or more of the plurality of arc chambers can have at least one unique feature, or two or more of the plurality of arc chambers can be generally identical to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Max Abeshaus, Neil Bassom, Camilla Lambert, Caleb Wisch, Kyle Hinds, Caleb Bell
  • Patent number: 11170967
    Abstract: An ion source is configured to form an ion beam and has an arc chamber enclosing an arc chamber environment. A reservoir apparatus can be configured as a repeller and provides a liquid metal to the arc chamber environment. A biasing power supply electrically biases the reservoir apparatus with respect to the arc chamber to vaporize the liquid metal to form a plasma in the arc chamber environment. The reservoir apparatus has a cup and cap defining a reservoir environment for the liquid metal that is fluidly coupled to the arc chamber environment by holes in the cap. Features extend from the cup into the reservoir and contact the liquid metal to feed the liquid metal toward the arc chamber environment by capillary action. A structure, surface area, roughness, and material modifies the capillary action. The feature can be an annular ring, rod, or tube extending into the liquid metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AXCELIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Bassom, Neil Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Michael Ameen