Patents by Inventor Philip J. McGrail

Philip J. McGrail 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: 8941082
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a process chamber defining an enclosed volume, and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume. The dual sided workpiece assembly includes a base portion and a flip portion coupled to the base portion. The flip portion has a support surface configured to support at least one dual sided workpiece and is configured to rotate about a flipping axis. The processing apparatus also includes a controller configured to control the dual sided workpiece assembly to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions in the process chamber during a first time interval and to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions during a second time interval different than the first time interval by rotating the flip portion about the flipping axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Philip J. McGrail, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140014854
    Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a process chamber defining an enclosed volume, and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume. The dual sided workpiece assembly includes a base portion and a flip portion coupled to the base portion. The flip portion has a support surface configured to support at least one dual sided workpiece and is configured to rotate about a flipping axis. The processing apparatus also includes a controller configured to control the dual sided workpiece assembly to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions in the process chamber during a first time interval and to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece to accelerating ions during a second time interval different than the first time interval by rotating the flip portion about the flipping axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, JR., Philip J. McGrail, JR.
  • Patent number: 8563407
    Abstract: A method includes positioning at least one dual sided workpiece on an assembly in a process chamber to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, treating the first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, reorienting a portion of the assembly in the process chamber to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, the second side opposing the first side, and treating the second side. A processing apparatus including a process chamber defining an enclosed volume and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, Ernest E. Allen, Jr., Philip J. McGrail, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100260943
    Abstract: A method includes positioning at least one dual sided workpiece on an assembly in a process chamber to expose a first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, treating the first side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, reorienting a portion of the assembly in the process chamber to expose a second side of the at least one dual sided workpiece, the second side opposing the first side, and treating the second side. A processing apparatus including a process chamber defining an enclosed volume and a dual sided workpiece assembly disposed in the enclosed volume is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. HERTEL, Ernest E. Allen, Philip J. McGrail, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080169183
    Abstract: A plasma source having a plasma chamber with metal chamber walls contains a process gas. A dielectric window passes a RF signal into the plasma chamber. The RF signal excites and ionizes the process gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma chamber. A plasma chamber liner that is positioned inside the plasma chamber provides line-of-site shielding of the inside of the plasma chamber from metal sputtered by ions striking the metal walls of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Hertel, You Chia Li, Philip J. McGrail, Timothy J. Miller, Harold M. Persing, Vikram Singh