Patents by Inventor Ralf Hofmann

Ralf Hofmann 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: 20180114711
    Abstract: A monitoring and deposition control system and method of operation thereof including: a deposition chamber for depositing a material layer on a substrate; a sensor array for monitoring deposition of the material layer for changes in a layer thickness of the material layer during deposition; and a processing unit for adjusting deposition parameters based on the changes in the layer thickness during deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Edward W. Budiarto, Majeed A. Foad, Ralf Hofmann, Thomas Nowak, Todd Egan, Mehdi Vaez-lravani
  • Patent number: 9905418
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for forming graphitic carbon such as graphene on a substrate. The method includes providing a precursor comprising a linear conjugated hydrocarbon, depositing a hydrocarbon layer from the precursor on the substrate, and forming graphene from the hydrocarbon layer by applying energy to the substrate. The precursor may include template molecules such as polynuclear aromatics, and may be deposited on the substrate by spinning on, by spraying, by flowing, by dipping, or by condensing. The energy may be applied as radiant energy, thermal energy, or plasma energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann, Majeed A. Foad
  • Patent number: 9870935
    Abstract: A monitoring and deposition control system and method of operation thereof including: a deposition chamber for depositing a material layer on a substrate; a sensor array for monitoring deposition of the material layer for changes in a layer thickness of the material layer during deposition; and a processing unit for adjusting deposition parameters based on the changes in the layer thickness during deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Edward W. Budiarto, Majeed A. Foad, Ralf Hofmann, Thomas Nowak, Todd Egan, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani
  • Publication number: 20170365491
    Abstract: A processing chamber having a plurality of movable substrate carriers stacked therein for continuously processing a plurality of substrates is provided. The movable substrate carrier is capable of being transported from outside of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred from a load luck chamber, into the processing chamber and out of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred into another load luck chamber. Process gases delivered into the processing chamber are spatially separated into a plurality of processing slots, and/or temporally controlled. The processing chamber can be part of a multi-chamber substrate processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Banqiu Wu, Nag B. Patibandla, Toshiaki Fujita, Ralf Hofmann, Pravin K. Narwankar, Jeonghoon Oh, Srinivas Satya, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 9748125
    Abstract: A processing chamber having a plurality of movable substrate carriers stacked therein for continuously processing a plurality of substrates is provided. The movable substrate carrier is capable of being transported from outside of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred from a load luck chamber, into the processing chamber and out of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred into another load luck chamber. Process gases delivered into the processing chamber are spatially separated into a plurality of processing slots, and/or temporally controlled. The processing chamber can be part of a multi-chamber substrate processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Banqiu Wu, Nag B. Patibandla, Toshiaki Fujita, Ralf Hofmann, Pravin K. Narwankar, Jeonghoon Oh, Srinivas Satya, Li-Qun Xia
  • Patent number: 9739913
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of an extreme ultraviolet reflective element includes: providing a substrate; forming a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer for forming a Bragg reflector; and forming a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack, the capping layer formed from titanium oxide, ruthenium oxide, niobium oxide, ruthenium tungsten, ruthenium molybdenum, or ruthenium niobium, and the capping layer for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann, Majeed A. Foad, Rudy Beckstrom, III
  • Patent number: 9690016
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet reflective element and method of manufacture includes a substrate; a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer formed from silicon and a second reflective layer having a preventative layer separating a lower amorphous layer and an upper amorphous layer; and a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Cara Beasley, Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Majeed A. Foad
  • Publication number: 20170168383
    Abstract: An integrated extreme ultraviolet blank production system includes: a vacuum chamber for placing a substrate in a vacuum; a deposition system for depositing a multi-layer stack without removing the substrate from the vacuum; and a treatment system for treating a layer on the multi-layer stack to be deposited as an amorphous metallic layer. A physical vapor deposition chamber for manufacturing an extreme ultraviolet mask blank includes: a target, comprising molybdenum alloyed with boron. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for placing an extreme ultraviolet mask blank with a multi-layer stack having an amorphous metallic layer; and a wafer stage for placing a wafer. An extreme ultraviolet blank includes: a substrate; a multi-layer stack having an amorphous metallic layer; and capping layers over the multi-layer stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Kevin Moraes
  • Publication number: 20170160632
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a multi-layer stack, formed above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, and an absorber layer, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm includes the absorber layer has a thickness of less than 80 nm and less than 2% reflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Majeed A. Foad, Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20170148631
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for forming graphitic carbon such as graphene on a substrate. The method includes providing a precursor comprising a linear conjugated hydrocarbon, depositing a hydrocarbon layer from the precursor on the substrate, and forming graphene from the hydrocarbon layer by applying energy to the substrate. The precursor may include template molecules such as polynuclear aromatics, and may be deposited on the substrate by spinning on, by spraying, by flowing, by dipping, or by condensing. The energy may be applied as radiant energy, thermal energy, or plasma energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Cara BEASLEY, Ralf HOFMANN, Majeed A. FOAD
  • Publication number: 20170131637
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture of an extreme ultraviolet reflective element includes: a substrate; a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer formed from silicon and a second reflective layer formed from niobium or niobium carbide for forming a Bragg reflector; and a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Cara Beasley, Majeed A. Foad
  • Publication number: 20170131627
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a first sub-chamber for forming a multi-layer stack, above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light; and a second sub-chamber for forming a bi-layer absorber, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm provides a reflectivity of less than 1.9%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Majeed Foad, Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20170115555
    Abstract: A processing system includes: a vacuum chamber; a plurality of processing sub-systems attached around the vacuum chamber; and a wafer handling system in the vacuum chamber for moving the wafer among the plurality of processing systems without exiting from a vacuum. A physical vapor deposition system for manufacturing an extreme ultraviolet blank comprising: a target comprising molybdenum, molybdenum alloy, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Cara Beasley, Majeed Foad
  • Patent number: 9612522
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a multi-layer stack, formed above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, and an absorber layer, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm includes the absorber layer has a thickness of less than 80 nm and less than 2% reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Majeed A. Foad, Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9612521
    Abstract: An integrated extreme ultraviolet blank production system includes: a vacuum chamber for placing a substrate in a vacuum; a deposition system for depositing a multi-layer stack without removing the substrate from the vacuum; and a treatment system for treating a layer on the multi-layer stack to be deposited as an amorphous metallic layer. A physical vapor deposition chamber for manufacturing an extreme ultraviolet mask blank includes: a target, comprising molybdenum alloyed with boron. An extreme ultraviolet lithography system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the extreme ultraviolet light source; a reticle stage for placing an extreme ultraviolet mask blank with a multi-layer stack having an amorphous metallic layer; and a wafer stage for placing a wafer. An extreme ultraviolet blank includes: a substrate; a multi-layer stack having an amorphous metallic layer; and capping layers over the multi-layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Kevin Moraes
  • Patent number: 9595436
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for forming graphitic carbon such as graphene on a substrate. The method includes providing a precursor comprising a linear conjugated hydrocarbon, depositing a hydrocarbon layer from the precursor on the substrate, and forming graphene from the hydrocarbon layer by applying energy to the substrate. The precursor may include template molecules such as polynuclear aromatics, and may be deposited on the substrate by spinning on, by spraying, by flowing, by dipping, or by condensing. The energy may be applied as radiant energy, thermal energy, or plasma energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann, Majeed A. Foad
  • Patent number: 9581889
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask blank production system includes: a substrate handling vacuum chamber for creating a vacuum; a substrate handling platform, in the vacuum, for transporting an ultra-low expansion substrate loaded in the substrate handling vacuum chamber; and multiple sub-chambers, accessed by the substrate handling platform, for forming an EUV mask blank includes: a first sub-chamber for forming a multi-layer stack, above the ultra-low expansion substrate, for reflecting an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light; and a second sub-chamber for forming a bi-layer absorber, formed above the multi-layer stack, for absorbing the EUV light at a wavelength of 13.5 nm provides a reflectivity of less than 1.9%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Majeed A. Foad, Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9581890
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacture of an extreme ultraviolet reflective element includes: a substrate; a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer formed from silicon and a second reflective layer formed from niobium or niobium carbide for forming a Bragg reflector; and a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Vinayak Vishwanath Hassan, Cara Beasley, Majeed A. Foad
  • Publication number: 20160377972
    Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet mask and method of manufacture thereof includes: providing a glass-ceramic block; forming a glass-ceramic substrate from the glass-ceramic block; and depositing a planarization layer on the glass-ceramic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ralf Hofmann, Majeed Foad, Cara Beasley
  • Publication number: 20160274454
    Abstract: An integrated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) blank production system includes: a vacuum chamber for placing a substrate in a vacuum; a first deposition system for depositing a planarization layer having a planarized top surface over the substrate; and a second deposition system for depositing a multi-layer stack on the planarization layer without removing the substrate from the vacuum. The EUV blank is in an EUV lithography system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the EUV source; a reticle stage for placing a EUV mask blank with a planarization layer; and a wafer stage for placing a wafer. The EUV blank includes: a substrate; a planarization layer to compensate for imperfections related to the surface of the substrate, the planarization layer having a flat top surface; and a multi-layer stack on the planarization layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Cara Beasley, Ralf Hofmann, Majeed Foad, Timothy Michaelson