Patents by Inventor Peter F. Kurunczi

Peter F. Kurunczi 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: 20230282449
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for providing a more uniform ion flux and ion angular distribution across a wafer to minimize etch yield loss resulting from etch profile variations. In some embodiments, a system may include a plasma source operable to generate a plasma within a plasma chamber enclosed by a chamber housing, wherein the plasma source comprises a plasma shaper extending into the plasma chamber from a wall of the chamber housing. The plasma shaper may include a shaper wall coupled to the wall of the chamber housing, and a shaper end wall connected to the shaper wall, the shaper end wall defining an indentation extending towards the wall of the chamber housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Peter F. Kurunczi, Alan V. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20230080083
    Abstract: An ion source having an extraction plate with a variable thickness is disclosed. The extraction plate has a protrusion on its interior or exterior surface proximate the extraction aperture. The protrusion increases the thickness of the extraction aperture in certain regions. This increases the loss area in those regions, which serves as a sink for ions and electrons. In this way, the plasma density is decreased more significantly in the regions where the extraction aperture has a greater thickness. The shape of the protrusion may be modified to achieve the desired plasma uniformity. Thus, it may be possible to create an extracted ion beam having a more uniform ion density. In some tests, the uniformity of the beam current along the width direction was improved by between 20% and 50%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Alexander S. Perel, Jay T. Scheuer, Bon-Woong Koo, Robert C. Lindberg, Peter F. Kurunczi, Graham Wright
  • Publication number: 20230083497
    Abstract: An ion source. The ion source may include a plasma chamber to house a plasma, and an extraction assembly, disposed along a side of the plasma chamber, and comprising at least one extraction aperture. The ion source may further include an antenna assembly, extending through the plasma chamber, along a first axis. The antenna assembly may include a dielectric enclosure, a plurality of conductive antennae, extending along the first axis within the dielectric enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Peter F. Kurunczi, Ernest E. Allen
  • Publication number: 20230082224
    Abstract: An ion source capable of extracting a ribbon ion beam with improved uniformity is disclosed. One of the walls of the ion source has a protrusion on its interior surface facing the chamber. The protrusion creates a loss area that serves as a sink for free electrons and ions. This causes a reduction in plasma density near the protrusion, and may improve the uniformity of the ribbon ion beam that is extracted from the ion source by modifying the beam current near the protrusion. The shape of the protrusion may be modified to achieve the desired uniformity. The protrusion may also be utilized with a cylindrical ion source. In certain embodiments, the protrusion is created by a plurality of mechanically adjustable protrusion elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jay T. Scheuer, Graham Wright, Peter F. Kurunczi, Alexandre Likhanskii
  • Patent number: 11587778
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for performing electrodynamic mass analysis with a radio frequency (RF) biased ion source to reduce ion beam energy spread. In some embodiments, a system may include an ion source including a power supply, the ion source operable to generate a plasma within a chamber housing, and an extraction power assembly including a first power supply and a second power supply electrically coupled with the chamber housing of the ion source, wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are operable to bias the chamber housing of the ion source with a time modulated voltage to extract an ion beam from the ion source. The system may further include an electrodynamic mass analysis (EDMA) assembly operable to receive the ion beam and perform mass analysis on the ion beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Joseph C. Olson, Frank Sinclair, Peter F. Kurunczi
  • Patent number: 11388810
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method. An apparatus may include an RF power assembly, arranged to output an RF signal; a resonator, coupled to receive the RF signal, the resonator comprising a first output end and a second output end, and a drift tube assembly, configured to transmit an ion beam, and coupled to the resonator. As such, the drift tube assembly may include a first AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the first output end, and a second AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the second output end and separated from the first AC drift tube by a first gap. The RF power assembly may be switchable to switch output from a first Eigenmode frequency to a second Eigenmode frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, David T. Blahnik, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20220139691
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for performing electrodynamic mass analysis with a radio frequency (RF) biased ion source to reduce ion beam energy spread. In some embodiments, a system may include an ion source including a power supply, the ion source operable to generate a plasma within a chamber housing, and an extraction power assembly including a first power supply and a second power supply electrically coupled with the chamber housing of the ion source, wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are operable to bias the chamber housing of the ion source with a time modulated voltage to extract an ion beam from the ion source. The system may further include an electrodynamic mass analysis (EDMA) assembly operable to receive the ion beam and perform mass analysis on the ion beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandre Likhanskii, Joseph C. Olson, Frank Sinclair, Peter F. Kurunczi
  • Publication number: 20220100078
    Abstract: Methods and devices for producing substrates with variable height features are provided. In one example, a proximity mask may include a plate positioned over a substrate, wherein at least a portion of the plate is separated from the substrate by a distance. The plate may include a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is defined by a first perimeter having a first shape, wherein the second opening is defined by a second perimeter having a second shape, and wherein the first shape is different than the second shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Arif Zeeshan, Ross Bandy, Peter F. Kurunczi, Shantanu Kallakuri, Thomas Soldi, Joseph C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20220087004
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method. An apparatus may include an RF power assembly, arranged to output an RF signal; a resonator, coupled to receive the RF signal, the resonator comprising a first output end and a second output end, and a drift tube assembly, configured to transmit an ion beam, and coupled to the resonator. As such, the drift tube assembly may include a first AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the first output end, and a second AC drift tube electrode, coupled to the second output end and separated from the first AC drift tube by a first gap. The RF power assembly may be switchable to switch output from a first Eigenmode frequency to a second Eigenmode frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, David T. Blahnik, Frank Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20220051880
    Abstract: A plasma source may include a plasma chamber, where the plasma chamber has a first side, defining a first plane and an extraction assembly, disposed adjacent to the side of the plasma chamber, where the extraction assembly includes at least two electrodes. A first electrode may be disposed immediately adjacent the side of the plasma chamber, wherein a second electrode defines a vertical displacement from the first electrode along a first direction, perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first electrode comprises a first aperture, and the second electrode comprises a second aperture. The first aperture may define a lateral displacement from the second aperture along a second direction, parallel to the first plane, wherein the vertical displacement and the lateral displacement define a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Morgan Evans, Joseph C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210391155
    Abstract: A processing system may include a plasma chamber operable to generate a plasma, and an extraction assembly, arranged along a side of the plasma chamber. The extraction assembly may include an extraction plate including an extraction aperture, the extraction plate having a non-planar shape, and generating an extracted ion beam at a high angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to a plane of a substrate, when the plane of the substrate is arranged parallel to the side of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Campbell, Costel Biloiu, Peter F. Kurunczi, Jay R. Wallace, Kevin M. Daniels, Kevin T. Ryan, Minab B. Teferi, Frank Sinclair, Joseph C. Olson
  • Patent number: 11195703
    Abstract: A plasma source may include a plasma chamber, where the plasma chamber has a first side, defining a first plane and an extraction assembly, disposed adjacent to the side of the plasma chamber, where the extraction assembly includes at least two electrodes. A first electrode may be disposed immediately adjacent the side of the plasma chamber, wherein a second electrode defines a vertical displacement from the first electrode along a first direction, perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first electrode comprises a first aperture, and the second electrode comprises a second aperture. The first aperture may define a lateral displacement from the second aperture along a second direction, parallel to the first plane, wherein the vertical displacement and the lateral displacement define a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Morgan Evans, Joseph C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210313154
    Abstract: A system having an auxiliary plasma source, disposed proximate the workpiece, for use with an ion beam is disclosed. The auxiliary plasma source is used to create ions and radicals which drift toward the workpiece and may form a film. The ion beam is then used to provide energy so that the ions and radicals can process the workpiece. Further, various applications of the system are also disclosed. For example, the system can be used for various processes including deposition, implantation, etching, pre-treatment and post-treatment. By locating an auxiliary plasma source close to the workpiece, processes that were previously not possible may be performed. Further, two dissimilar processes, such as cleaning and implanting or implanting and passivating can be performed without removing the workpiece from the end station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Hatem, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher A. Rowland, Joseph C. Olson, Anthony Renau
  • Patent number: 11069511
    Abstract: A system having an auxiliary plasma source, disposed proximate the workpiece, for use with an ion beam is disclosed. The auxiliary plasma source is used to create ions and radicals which drift toward the workpiece and may form a film. The ion beam is then used to provide energy so that the ions and radicals can process the workpiece. Further, various applications of the system are also disclosed. For example, the system can be used for various processes including deposition, implantation, etching, pre-treatment and post-treatment. By locating an auxiliary plasma source close to the workpiece, processes that were previously not possible may be performed. Further, two dissimilar processes, such as cleaning and implanting or implanting and passivating can be performed without removing the workpiece from the end station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hatem, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher A. Rowland, Joseph C. Olson, Anthony Renau
  • Publication number: 20210189566
    Abstract: A ribbon beam plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system comprising a process chamber containing a platen for supporting a substrate, and a plasma source disposed adjacent the process chamber and adapted to produce free radicals in a plasma chamber, the plasma chamber having an aperture associated therewith for allowing a beam of the free radicals to exit the plasma chamber, wherein the process chamber is maintained at a first pressure and the plasma chamber is maintained at a second pressure greater than the first pressure for driving the free radicals from the plasma chamber into the process chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hautala, Tristan Y. MA, Peter F. Kurunczi
  • Publication number: 20210166946
    Abstract: A system may include a substrate stage to support a substrate, and a plurality of beam sources. The plurality of beam sources may include an ion beam source, the ion beam source arranged to direct an ion beam to the substrate, and a radical beam source, the radical beam source arranged to direct a radical beam to the substrate. The system may include a controller configured to control the ion beam source and the radical beam source to operate independently of one another, in at least one aspect, wherein the at least one aspect includes beam composition, beam angle of incidence, and relative scanning of a beam source with respect to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Renau, Joseph C. Olson, Peter F. Kurunczi
  • Publication number: 20200194226
    Abstract: A system may include a substrate stage, configured to support a substrate, where a main surface of the substrate defines a substrate plane. The system may include an ion source, including an extraction assembly that is oriented to direct an ion beam to the substrate along a trajectory defining a non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to the substrate plane. The system may include a radical source oriented to direct a radical beam to the substrate along a trajectory defining the non-zero angle of incidence with respect to a perpendicular to the substrate plane. The substrate stage may be further configured to scan the substrate along a first direction, lying with the substrate plane, while the main surface of the substrate is oriented within the substrate plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Morgan Evans, Joseph C. Olson, Christopher A. Rowland, James Buonodono
  • Publication number: 20200185201
    Abstract: A plasma source may include a plasma chamber, where the plasma chamber has a first side, defining a first plane and an extraction assembly, disposed adjacent to the side of the plasma chamber, where the extraction assembly includes at least two electrodes. A first electrode may be disposed immediately adjacent the side of the plasma chamber, wherein a second electrode defines a vertical displacement from the first electrode along a first direction, perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the first electrode comprises a first aperture, and the second electrode comprises a second aperture. The first aperture may define a lateral displacement from the second aperture along a second direction, parallel to the first plane, wherein the vertical displacement and the lateral displacement define a non-zero angle of inclination with respect to a perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Kurunczi, Morgan Evans, Joseph C. Olson
  • Publication number: 20190393019
    Abstract: A system having an auxiliary plasma source, disposed proximate the workpiece, for use with an ion beam is disclosed. The auxiliary plasma source is used to create ions and radicals which drift toward the workpiece and may form a film. The ion beam is then used to provide energy so that the ions and radicals can process the workpiece. Further, various applications of the system are also disclosed. For example, the system can be used for various processes including deposition, implantation, etching, pre-treatment and post-treatment. By locating an auxiliary plasma source close to the workpiece, processes that were previously not possible may be performed. Further, two dissimilar processes, such as cleaning and implanting or implanting and passivating can be performed without removing the workpiece from the end station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Hatem, Peter F. Kurunczi, Christopher A. Rowland, Joseph C. Olson, Anthony Renau
  • Patent number: 10410844
    Abstract: Provided herein are approaches for in-situ plasma cleaning of one or more components of an ion implantation system. In one approach, the component may include a beam-line component, such as an energy purity module, having a plurality of conductive beam optics contained therein. The system further includes a power supply system for supplying a voltage and a current to the beam-line component during a cleaning mode, wherein the power supply system may include a first power plug coupled to a first subset of the plurality of conductive beam optics and a second power plug coupled to a second subset of the plurality of conductive beam optics. During a cleaning mode, the voltage and current may be simultaneously supplied and split between each of the first and second power plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Anglin, Brant S. Binns, Peter F. Kurunczi, Jay T. Scheuer, Eric Hermanson, Alexandre Likhanskii