Patents by Inventor Ramesh Chandrasekharan

Ramesh Chandrasekharan 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: 20240395569
    Abstract: A method includes configuring N heater zones to heat a component of a substrate processing system, where N is an integer greater than 1, and where each of the N heater zones includes a resistive heater and a temperature sensor to sense a local temperature. The method includes determining an average temperature of each of the N heater zones based on a resistance of the resistive heater in each of the N heater zones. The method includes controlling the resistive heater based on the average temperature and the local temperature in each of the N heater zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20240392443
    Abstract: A substrate processing system is provided and includes a substrate support, a memory, and calibration, operating parameter, and solving modules. The substrate support supports a substrate and includes temperature control elements. The memory stores, for the temperature control elements, temperature calibration values and sensitivity calibration values. The calibration module, during calibration of the temperature control elements, performs a first calibration process to determine the temperature calibration values or a second calibration process to determine the sensitivity calibration values. The sensitivity calibration values relate at least one of trim amounts or deposition amounts to temperature changes. The operating parameter module determines operating parameters for the temperature control elements based on the temperature and sensitivity calibration values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Michael Philip ROBERTS, Pulkit AGARWAL, Adrien LAVOIE, Ravi KUMAR, Nuoya YANG, Chan Myae Myae SOE, Ashish SAURABH
  • Patent number: 12142509
    Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for pedestals are provided. An example pedestal may have a body with an upper annular seal surface that is planar, perpendicular to a vertical center axis of the body, and has a radial thickness, a lower recess surface offset from the upper annular seal surface, and a plurality of micro-contact areas (MCAs) protruding from the lower recess surface, each MCA having a top surface offset from the lower recess surface by a second distance less, and one or more electrodes within the body. The upper annular seal surface may be configured to support an outer edge of a semiconductor substrate when the semiconductor substrate is being supported by the pedestal, and the upper annular seal surface and the tops of the MCAs may be configured to support the semiconductor substrate when the semiconductor substrate is being supported by the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick G. Breiling, Michael Philip Roberts, Chloe Baldasseroni, Ishtak Karim, Adrien LaVoie, Ramesh Chandrasekharan
  • Patent number: 12110586
    Abstract: A system to deposit a film on a substrate using atomic layer deposition includes a pedestal arranged in a processing chamber to support the substrate on a top surface of the pedestal when depositing the film on the substrate. A first annular recess in the pedestal extends downwardly from the top surface of the pedestal and radially inwardly from an outer edge of the pedestal towards an outer edge of the substrate. The first annular recess has an inner diameter that is greater than a diameter of the substrate. An annular ring is made of a dielectric material and is arranged around the substrate in the first annular recess. A second annular recess in the pedestal is located under the annular ring. The second annular recess has a height and extends radially inwardly from the outer edge of the pedestal towards the outer edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adrien Lavoie, Michael Philip Roberts, Chloe Baldasseroni, Richard Phillips, Ramesh Chandrasekharan
  • Patent number: 12071689
    Abstract: A substrate processing system is provided and includes a substrate support, a memory, and calibration, operating parameter, and solving modules. The substrate support supports a substrate and includes temperature control elements. The memory stores, for the temperature control elements, temperature calibration values and sensitivity calibration values. The calibration module, during calibration of the temperature control elements, performs a first calibration process to determine the temperature calibration values or a second calibration process to determine the sensitivity calibration values. The sensitivity calibration values relate at least one of trim amounts or deposition amounts to temperature changes. The operating parameter module determines operating parameters for the temperature control elements based on the temperature and sensitivity calibration values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Michael Philip Roberts, Pulkit Agarwal, Adrien Lavoie, Ravi Kumar, Nuoya Yang, Chan Myae Myae Soe, Ashish Saurabh
  • Patent number: 12062554
    Abstract: A heater control system for a gas delivery system of a substrate processing system includes an oven, N resistive uninsulated heaters arranged inside of the oven, where N is an integer greater than one, and a controller. The oven encloses one or more components of the substrate processing system and to maintain a predetermined temperature in the oven. Each of the N resistive heaters selectively heats at least a portion of one of the components in the oven. The controller is configured to maintain the predetermined temperature in localized regions in the oven by determining a resistance in each of the N resistive heaters and adjusting power to each of the N resistive heaters based on N-1 resistance ratios of N-1 of the N resistive heaters relative to one of the N resistive heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Easwar Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 12049698
    Abstract: A method for reducing effluent buildup in a pumping exhaust system of a substrate processing system includes, during a substrate treatment process, arranging a substrate on a substrate support in a processing chamber; supplying one or more process gases to the processing chamber; supplying an inert dilution gas at a first flow rate to the pumping exhaust system; performing the substrate treatment process on the substrate in the processing chamber; evacuating reactants from the processing chamber using the pumping exhaust system. The method includes, after the substrate treatment process, supplying cleaning plasma including cleaning gas in the processing chamber during a cleaning process; and supplying the inert dilution gas at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate to the pumping exhaust system during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antonio Xavier, Steven Goza, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Adrien Lavoie, Joseph Nesmith
  • Publication number: 20240234200
    Abstract: Apparatuses not only capable of reducing unwanted radiative heat loss from a pedestal of a substrate processing system, but also capable of reducing radiative heat transfer to other components within a chamber of the substrate processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron Blake Miller, Aaron Durbin, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Bradley Taylor Streng
  • Publication number: 20240218515
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use of a fill on demand ampoule are disclosed. The fill on demand ampoule may refill an ampoule with precursor concurrent with the performance of other deposition processes. The fill on demand may keep the level of precursor within the ampoule at a relatively constant level. The level may be calculated to result in an optimum head volume. The fill on demand may also keep the precursor at a temperature near that of an optimum precursor temperature. The fill on demand may occur during parts of the deposition process where the agitation of the precursor due to the filling of the ampoule with the precursor minimally effects the substrate deposition. Substrate throughput may be increased through the use of fill on demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Eashwar Ranganathan, Shankar Swaminathan, Adrien LaVoie, Chloe Baldasseroni, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Frank Loren Pasquale, Jennifer Leigh Petraglia
  • Publication number: 20240203763
    Abstract: A controller to control a temperature of a first substrate support in a substrate processing system includes a resistance calculation module to calculate a first resistance of a first heater element of a plurality of heater elements of the first substrate support, a temperature calculation module to calculate a first temperature of the first heater element based on the calculated first resistance, and a filter module to filter a first signal that corresponds to the calculated first resistance. The temperature calculation module selectively causes the filter module to filter the first signal in response to a determination of whether at least one condition associated with operation of the substrate processing system is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Mohan THILAGARAJ, Karl Frederick LEESER
  • Publication number: 20240200191
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided to prevent backside deposition on a substrate by using a combination of approaches. The approaches include clamping the substrate to a pedestal and/or supplying purge gases to an area where deposition is not desired. The clamping methods include electrostatic or vacuum clamping. In addition, various pedestal and edge ring designs are provided for supplying purge gases to the area where deposition is not desired. The use of clamping in conjunction with purging can further enhance the performance without affecting deposition of materials on front side of the substrate. The clamping along the edge of the substrate can be made more effective by machining an upper surface of the pedestal to have a slight dish or dome like shape (i.e., concave or convex, respectively).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher GAGE, Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Eric H. LENZ, Karl Frederick LEESER
  • Publication number: 20240194506
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled substrate support for a substrate processing system includes a substrate support and a controller. The substrate support includes N zones and N resistive heaters, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one, and a temperature sensor located in one of the N zones. The controller is configured to calculate N resistances of the N resistive heaters during operation and adjust power to N-1 of the N resistive heaters during operation of the substrate processing system in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor located in the one of the N zones and the N resistances of the N resistive heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Sairam SUNDARAM, Aaron DURBIN, Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN
  • Patent number: 11959175
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use of a fill on demand ampoule are disclosed. The fill on demand ampoule may refill an ampoule with precursor concurrent with the performance of other deposition processes. The fill on demand may keep the level of precursor within the ampoule at a relatively constant level. The level may be calculated to result in an optimum head volume. The fill on demand may also keep the precursor at a temperature near that of an optimum precursor temperature. The fill on demand may occur during parts of the deposition process where the agitation of the precursor due to the filling of the ampoule with the precursor minimally effects the substrate deposition. Substrate throughput may be increased through the use of fill on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Tuan Nguyen, Eashwar Ranganathan, Shankar Swaminathan, Adrien LaVoie, Chloe Baldasseroni, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Frank Loren Pasquale, Jennifer Leigh Petraglia
  • Patent number: 11959172
    Abstract: A gas delivery system includes a 2-port valve including a first valve located between a first port and a second port. A 4-port valve includes a first node connected to a first port and a second port. A bypass path is located between the third port and the fourth port. A second node is located along the bypass path. A second valve is located between the first node and the second node. A manifold block defines gas flow channels configured to connect the first port of the 4-port valve to a first inlet, configured to connect the second port of the 4-port valve to the first port of the 2-port valve, the third port of the 4-port valve to a second inlet, the second port of the 2-port valve to a first outlet, and the fourth port of the 4-port valve to a second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Antonio Xavier, Frank Loren Pasquale, Ryan Blaquiere, Jennifer Leigh Petraglia, Meenakshi Mamunuru
  • Patent number: 11908715
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled substrate support for a substrate processing system includes a substrate support located in the processing chamber. The substrate support includes N zones and N resistive heaters, respectively, where N is an integer greater than one. A temperature sensor is located in one of the N zones. A controller is configured to calculate N resistances of the N resistive heaters during operation and to adjust power to N?1 of the N resistive heaters during operation of the substrate processing system in response to the temperature measured in the one of the N zones by the temperature sensor, the N resistances of the N resistive heaters, and N?1 resistance ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sairam Sundaram, Aaron Durbin, Ramesh Chandrasekharan
  • Publication number: 20230279548
    Abstract: A gas delivery system includes a 2-port valve including a first valve located between a first port and a second port. A 4-port valve includes a first node connected to a first port and a second port. A bypass path is located between the third port and the fourth port. A second node is located along the bypass path. A second valve is located between the first node and the second node. A manifold block defines gas flow channels configured to connect the first port of the 4-port valve to a first inlet, configured to connect the second port of the 4-port valve to the first port of the 2-port valve, the third port of the 4-port valve to a second inlet, the second port of the 2-port valve to a first outlet, and the fourth port of the 4-port valve to a second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Antonio Xavier, Frank Loren Pasquale, Ryan Blaquiere, Jennifer Leigh Petraglia, Meenakshi Mamunuru
  • Publication number: 20230260759
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to methods and systems for integrating a vapor deposition process and an etch process in a single reactor. The vapor deposition process involves delivery of at least one deposition vapor in the absence of plasma. The etch process is a plasma etch process. Various features may be combined as desired to promote high quality deposition and etching results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Hudson, Andrew Clark Serino, Thad Nicholson, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Alan M. Schoepp
  • Publication number: 20230257878
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in part, to an apparatus for controlling the concentration of a component within a gas mixture. In particular embodiments, the component is a vaporized liquid component, such as a vaporized stabilizer or a vaporized precursor. Also described are systems thereof and methods for such control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Easwar Srinivasan, Erica Sakura Strandberg Pohl, Andrew Borth, Aleksey V. Altecor
  • Patent number: 11725282
    Abstract: A method for operating a substrate processing system includes delivering precursor gas to a chamber using a showerhead that includes a head portion and a stem portion. The head portion includes an upper surface, a sidewall, a lower planar surface, and a cylindrical cavity and extends radially outwardly from one end of the stem portion towards sidewalls of the chamber. The showerhead is connected, using a collar, to an upper surface of the chamber. The collar is arranged around the stem portion. Process gas is flowed into the cylindrical cavity via the stem portion and through a plurality of holes in the lower planar surface to distribute the process gas into the chamber. A purge gas is supplied through slots of the collar into a cavity defined between the head portion and an upper surface of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunguang Xia, Ramesh Chandrasekharan, Douglas Keil, Edward J. Augustyniak, Karl Frederick Leeser
  • Publication number: 20230207274
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a gas source, an RF source, and a light source. The gas source supplies a first gas to a process module of the substrate processing system. The RF source supplies RF power to the process module to generate plasma when the first gas is supplied to the process module of the substrate processing system. The light source is coupled to the process module to introduce light into the process module during the plasma generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Lee CHEN, Ramesh CHANDRASEKHARAN, Shaun Tyler SMITH, Yukinori SAKIYAMA, Aaron DURBIN, Jon HENRI