Patents by Inventor Paul Konkola

Paul Konkola 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: 11955366
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. A pedestal assembly includes a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal assembly. A raising mechanism separates the lift pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, and a lever rotatably attached to the lift pad bracket. The lever rests on the roller when not engaged with the upper hard stop. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates about a pin when engaging the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the lift pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20230395410
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Patent number: 11742229
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20220415616
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing signals to a device may include one or more radiofrequency signal generators, and electrically-small transmission line, which couples signals from the one or more RF signal generators to the fabrication chamber. The apparatus may additionally include a reactive circuit to transform impedance of the electrically-small transmission line from a region of relatively high impedance-sensitivity to region of relatively low impedance-sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Eller Y. Juco, Thomas Lee Frederick, Karl Frederick Leeser, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20220352004
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. A pedestal assembly includes a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal assembly. A raising mechanism separates the lift pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, and a lever rotatably attached to the lift pad bracket. The lever rests on the roller when not engaged with the upper hard stop. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates about a pin when engaging the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the lift pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20220305601
    Abstract: A method for evacuating a volume below a substrate in a substrate processing system includes arranging the substrate on a lift mechanism of a substrate support to define the volume below the substrate between the substrate and an upper surface of the substrate support. An evacuation step is initiated to evacuate the volume below the substrate. The evacuation step includes pumping down the volume below the substrate at least one of through and around the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is lowered during the evacuation step to position the substrate on the upper surface of the substrate support and the evacuation step is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Michael Philip ROBERTS, Paul KONKOLA, Michael G.R. SMITH, Brian Joseph WILLAMS, Ravi KUMAR, Pulkit AGARWAL, Adrien LAVOIB
  • Patent number: 11443975
    Abstract: A pedestal for a substrate processing system includes a pedestal body including a substrate-facing surface. An annular band is arranged on the substrate-facing surface that is configured to support a radially outer edge of the substrate. A cavity is defined in the substrate-facing surface of the pedestal body and is located radially inside of the annular band. The cavity creates a volume between a bottom surface of the substrate and the substrate-facing surface of the pedestal body. A plurality of vents pass though the pedestal body and are in fluid communication with the cavity to equalize pressure on opposing faces of the substrate during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Breiling, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Karl Leeser, Paul Konkola, Adrien LaVoie, Chloe Baldasseroni, Shankar Swaminathan, Ishtak Karim, Yukinori Sakiyama, Edmund Minshall, Sung Je Kim, Andrew Duvall, Frank Pasquale
  • Patent number: 11387136
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. A pedestal assembly includes a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal assembly. A raising mechanism separates the lift pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, and a lever rotatably attached to the lift pad bracket. The lever rests on the roller when not engaged with the upper hard stop. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates about a pin when engaging the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the lift pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20220108902
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Patent number: 11239100
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20220028662
    Abstract: A processing tool, comprising a processing chamber for processing a work piece, the processing chamber including at least one component part that is coated with multi-layer protective coating including (a) an aluminum layer formed on the at least one component part and (b) a ceramic coating formed on the aluminum layer. In various embodiments, the multi-layer protective coating can be applied to at least one component part prior to assembly of the processing chamber or at least partially in situ the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Paul KONKOLA, Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Andrew H. BRENINGER, Tony Shaleen KAUSHAL
  • Patent number: 11056380
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 10870922
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20200312703
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20200273731
    Abstract: A method for calibration including determining a temperature induced offset in a pedestal of a process module under a temperature condition for a process. The method includes delivering a wafer to the pedestal of the process module by a robot, and detecting an entry offset. The method includes rotating the wafer over the pedestal by an angle. The method includes removing the wafer from the pedestal by the robot and measuring an exit offset. The method includes determining a magnitude and direction of the temperature induced offset using the entry offset and exit offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jacob L. Hiester, Richard Blank, Peter Thaulad, Paul Konkola
  • Publication number: 20200227304
    Abstract: A pedestal for a substrate processing system includes a pedestal body including a substrate-facing surface. An annular band is arranged on the substrate-facing surface that is configured to support a radially outer edge of the substrate. A cavity is defined in the substrate-facing surface of the pedestal body and is located radially inside of the annular band. The cavity creates a volume between a bottom surface of the substrate and the substrate-facing surface of the pedestal body. A plurality of vents pass though the pedestal body and are in fluid communication with the cavity to equalize pressure on opposing faces of the substrate during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick Breiling, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Karl Leeser, Paul Konkola, Adrien LaVoie, Chloe Baldasseroni, Shankar Swaminathan, Ishtak Karim, Yukinori Sakiyama, Edmund Minshall, Sung Je Kim, Andrew Duvall, Frank Pasquale
  • Publication number: 20200219757
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a first chamber including a substrate support. A showerhead is arranged above the first chamber and is configured to filter ions and deliver radicals from a plasma source to the first chamber. The showerhead includes a heat transfer fluid plenum, a secondary gas plenum including an inlet to receive secondary gas and a plurality of secondary gas injectors to inject the secondary gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of through holes passing through the showerhead. The through holes are not in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid plenum or the secondary gas plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick BREILING, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Karl Leeser, Paul Konkola, Adrien LaVoie, Chloe Baldasseroni, Shankar Swaminathan, lshtak Karim, Yukinori Sakiyama, Edmund Minshall, Sung Je Kim, Andrew Duvall, Frank Pasquale
  • Patent number: 10699937
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer and including a pedestal extending from a central axis. An actuator is configured for controlling movement of the pedestal. A central shaft extends between the actuator and pedestal, the central shaft configured to move the pedestal along the central axis. A lift pad is configured to rest upon the pedestal and having a pad top surface configured to support a wafer placed thereon. A pad shaft extends between the actuator and the lift pad and controls movement of the lift pad. The pad shaft is positioned within the central shaft and is configured to separate the lift pad from the pedestal top surface by a process rotation displacement when the pedestal is in an upwards position. The pad shaft is configured to rotate relative to the pedestal top surface between first and second angular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20200176301
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer. A pedestal assembly includes a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal assembly. A raising mechanism separates the lift pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, and a lever rotatably attached to the lift pad bracket. The lever rests on the roller when not engaged with the upper hard stop. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates about a pin when engaging the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the lift pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20200173016
    Abstract: An assembly used in a process chamber for depositing a film on a wafer including a pedestal assembly having a pedestal movably mounted to a main frame. A lift pad rests upon the pedestal and moves with the pedestal. A raising mechanism separates the pad from the pedestal, and includes a hard stop fixed to the main frame, a roller attached to the pedestal assembly, a slide moveably attached to the pedestal assembly, a lift pad bracket interconnected to the slide and a pad shaft extending from the lift pad, a lever rotatably attached to lift pad bracket, a ferroseal assembly surrounding the pad shaft, and a yoke assembly offsetting a moment to the ferroseal assembly when the lever rotates. When the pedestal assembly moves upwards, the lever rotates when engaging with the upper hard stop and roller, and separates the pad from the pedestal by a process rotation displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Konkola, Karl F. Leeser, Easwar Srinivasan