Patents by Inventor Neil K Colvin

Neil K Colvin 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 11276543
    Abstract: A terminal for an ion implantation system is provided, wherein the terminal has a terminal housing for supporting an ion source configured to form an ion beam. A gas box within the terminal housing has a hydrogen generator configured to produce hydrogen gas for the ion source. The gas box is electrically insulated from the terminal housing, and is further electrically coupled to the ion source. The ion source and gas box are electrically isolated from the terminal housing by a plurality of electrical insulators. A plurality of insulating standoffs electrically isolate the terminal housing from an earth ground. A terminal power supply electrically biases the terminal housing to a terminal potential with respect to the earth ground. An ion source power supply electrically biases the ion source to an ion source potential with respect to the terminal potential. Electrically conductive tubing electrically couples the gas box and ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Richard Rzeszut, Wendy Colby
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11062873
    Abstract: A terminal system for an ion implantation system has an ion source with a housing and extraction electrode assembly having one or more aperture plates. A gas box is electrically coupled to the ion source. A gas source is within the gas box to provide a gas at substantially the same electrical potential as the ion source assembly. A bleed gas conduit introduces the gas to a region internal to the housing of the ion source and upstream of at least one of the aperture plates. The bleed gas conduit has one or more feed-throughs extending through a body of the ion source assembly, such as a hole in a mounting flange of the ion source. The mounting flange may be a tubular portion having a channel. The bleed gas conduit can further have a gas distribution apparatus defined as a gas distribution ring. The gas distribution ring can generally encircle the tubular portion of the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20210090841
    Abstract: A terminal for an ion implantation system is provided, wherein the terminal has a terminal housing for supporting an ion source configured to form an ion beam. A gas box within the terminal housing has a hydrogen generator configured to produce hydrogen gas for the ion source. The gas box is electrically insulated from the terminal housing, and is further electrically coupled to the ion source. The ion source and gas box are electrically isolated from the terminal housing by a plurality of electrical insulators. A plurality of insulating standoffs electrically isolate the terminal housing from an earth ground. A terminal power supply electrically biases the terminal housing to a terminal potential with respect to the earth ground. An ion source power supply electrically biases the ion source to an ion source potential with respect to the terminal potential. Electrically conductive tubing electrically couples the gas box and ion source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Richard Rzeszut, Wendy Colby
  • Publication number: 20200388468
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: David Sporleder, Neil Bassom, Neil K. Colvin, Mike Ameen, Xiao Xu
  • Patent number: 10847339
    Abstract: A terminal for an ion implantation system is provided, wherein the terminal has a terminal housing for supporting an ion source configured to form an ion beam. A gas box within the terminal housing has a hydrogen generator configured to produce hydrogen gas for the ion source. The gas box is electrically insulated from the terminal housing, and is further electrically coupled to the ion source. The ion source and gas box are electrically isolated from the terminal housing by a plurality of electrical insulators. A plurality of insulating standoffs electrically isolate the terminal housing from an earth ground. A terminal power supply electrically biases the terminal housing to a terminal potential with respect to the earth ground. An ion source power supply electrically biases the ion source to an ion source potential with respect to the terminal potential. Electrically conductive tubing electrically couples the gas box and ion source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Richard Rzeszut, Wendy Colby
  • Patent number: 10535498
    Abstract: An ion implantation system is provided having one or more conductive components comprised of one or more of lanthanated tungsten and a refractory metal alloyed with a predetermined percentage of a rare earth metal. The conductive component may be a component of an ion source, such as one or more of a cathode, cathode shield, a repeller, a liner, an aperture plate, an arc chamber body, and a strike plate. The aperture plate may be associated with one or more of an extraction aperture, a suppression aperture and a ground aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Paul B. Silverstein
  • Publication number: 20190348252
    Abstract: A terminal system for an ion implantation system has an ion source with a housing and extraction electrode assembly having one or more aperture plates. A gas box is electrically coupled to the ion source. A gas source is within the gas box to provide a gas at substantially the same electrical potential as the ion source assembly. A bleed gas conduit introduces the gas to a region internal to the housing of the ion source and upstream of at least one of the aperture plates. The bleed gas conduit has one or more feed-throughs extending through a body of the ion source assembly, such as a hole in a mounting flange of the ion source. The mounting flange may be a tubular portion having a channel. The bleed gas conduit can further have a gas distribution apparatus defined as a gas distribution ring. The gas distribution ring can generally encircle the tubular portion of the mounting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20190228943
    Abstract: A terminal for an ion implantation system is provided, wherein the terminal has a terminal housing for supporting an ion source configured to form an ion beam. A gas box within the terminal housing has a hydrogen generator configured to produce hydrogen gas for the ion source. The gas box is electrically insulated from the terminal housing, and is further electrically coupled to the ion source. The ion source and gas box are electrically isolated from the terminal housing by a plurality of electrical insulators. A plurality of insulating standoffs electrically isolate the terminal housing from an earth ground. A terminal power supply electrically biases the terminal housing to a terminal potential with respect to the earth ground. An ion source power supply electrically biases the ion source to an ion source potential with respect to the terminal potential. Electrically conductive tubing electrically couples the gas box and ion source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Richard Rzeszut, Wendy Colby
  • Patent number: 10361069
    Abstract: An arc chamber liner has first and second surfaces and a hole having a first diameter. A liner lip having a second diameter extends upwardly from the second surface toward the first surface and surrounds the hole. An electrode has a shaft with a third diameter and a head with a fourth diameter. The third diameter is less than the first diameter and passes through the body and hole and is electrically isolated from the liner by an annular gap. The head has a third surface having an electrode lip extending downwardly from the third surface toward the second surface. The electrode lip has a fifth diameter between the second and fourth diameters. A spacing between the liner and electrode lips defines a labyrinth seal to generally prevent contaminants from entering the annular gap. The shaft has an annular groove configured to accept a boron nitride seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Paul B. Silverstein
  • Patent number: 10170286
    Abstract: An ion source assembly and method is provided for improving ion implantation performance. The ion source assembly has an ion source chamber and a source gas supply provides a molecular carbon source gas such as toluene to the ion source chamber. A source gas flow controller controls a flow of the molecular carbon source gas to the ion source chamber. An excitation source excites the molecular carbon source gas, forming carbon ions and atomic carbon. An extraction electrode extracts the carbon ions from the ion source chamber, forming an ion beam. A hydrogen peroxide co-gas supply provides a predetermined concentration of hydrogen peroxide co-gas to the ion source chamber, and a hydrogen peroxide co-gas flow controller controls a flow of the hydrogen peroxide gas to the ion source chamber. The hydrogen peroxide co-gas decomposes within the ion source chamber and reacts with the atomic carbon from the molecular carbon source gas in the ion source chamber, forming hydrocarbons within the ion source chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20180358202
    Abstract: An ion implantation system is provided having one or more conductive components comprised of one or more of lanthanated tungsten and a refractory metal alloyed with a predetermined percentage of a rare earth metal. The conductive component may be a component of an ion source, such as one or more of a cathode, cathode shield, a repeller, a liner, an aperture plate, an arc chamber body, and a strike plate. The aperture plate may be associated with one or more of an extraction aperture, a suppression aperture and a ground aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Neil K. Colvin, Tseh-Jen Hsieh, Paul B. Silverstein
  • Patent number: 10087520
    Abstract: An ion implantation system is provided having an ion source configured to form an ion beam from aluminum iodide. A beamline assembly selectively transports the ion beam to an end station configured to accept the ion beam for implantation of aluminum ions into a workpiece. The ion source has a solid-state material source having aluminum iodide in a solid form. A solid source vaporizer vaporizes the aluminum iodide, defining gaseous aluminum iodide. An arc chamber forms a plasma from the gaseous aluminum iodide, where arc current from a power supply is configured to dissociate aluminum ions from the aluminum iodide. One or more extraction electrodes extract the ion beam from the arc chamber. A water vapor source further introduces water to react residual aluminum iodide to form hydroiodic acid, where the residual aluminum iodide and hydroiodic acid is evacuated from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Elliott Kamenitsa, Richard J. Rzeszut, Fernando M. Silva, Neil K. Colvin