Patents by Inventor Nolan Layne Zimmerman
Nolan Layne Zimmerman 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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Publication number: 20240201580Abstract: An automatic photomask handling assembly is employed for holding a photomask for cleaning processes in an atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) chamber. The automatic photomask handling assembly includes a set of stationary standoffs with each of the stationary standoffs having a first end solidly mounted to the photomask handling assembly and a second end that contacts an underside of a photomask. The automatic photomask handling assembly also has a handling stage that holds the photomask for processing. The handling stage has a set of through openings that allow the set of stationary standoffs to pass through the handling stage as the handling stage moves vertically. The handling stage also has a set of plates that automatically clamp and unclamp a photomask as the handling stage moves vertically. The set of plates completely surrounds the photomask such that the clamped photomask and the set of plates form a continuous surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2022Publication date: June 20, 2024Inventors: Nolan Layne ZIMMERMAN, Banqiu WU
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Patent number: 11982008Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2023Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, John L. Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J. Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R. Borjesson
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Publication number: 20230167573Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2023Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, John L. Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J. Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R. Borjesson
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Patent number: 11578422Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, John L. Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J. Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R. Borjesson
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Publication number: 20230040192Abstract: Embodiments of wet clean chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a wet clean chamber includes: a deck plate; a substrate support that is rotatable and configured to support a substrate; a rotor disposed about and configured to rotate with the substrate support, wherein the rotor includes an upper fluid collection region disposed radially outward of the substrate support in position to collect fluid leaving the substrate support during processing, and wherein the upper fluid collection region includes a plurality of drain openings along a radially outward perimeter of a bottom of the upper fluid collection region; a stationary housing surrounding the rotor and having a lower fluid collection region disposed beneath the drain openings of the rotor; and one or more fluid delivery arms coupled to the deck plate and configured to deliver fluid to the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Jason RYE, Nolan Layne ZIMMERMAN
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Publication number: 20220145489Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Paul R. McHugh, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, John L. Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J. Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R. Borjesson
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Patent number: 11268208Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Paul R McHugh, Gregory J Wilson, Kyle M Hanson, John L Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R Borjesson
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Publication number: 20210348296Abstract: An electroplating system has a vessel assembly holding an electrolyte. A weir thief electrode assembly in the vessel assembly includes a plenum inside of a weir frame. The plenum divided into at least a first, a second and a third virtual thief electrode segment. A plurality of spaced apart openings through the weir frame lead out of the plenum. A weir ring is attached to the weir frame and guides flow of current during electroplating. The electroplating system provides process determined radial and circumferential current density control and does not require changing hardware components during set up.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Paul R McHugh, Gregory J Wilson, Kyle M Hanson, John L Klocke, Paul Van Valkenburg, Eric J Bergman, Adam Marc McClure, Deepak Saagar Kalaikadal, Nolan Layne Zimmerman, Michael Windham, Mikael R Borjesson