Patents by Inventor Randy Grilley

Randy Grilley 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: 10225919
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for generating an ionizing electromagnetic field via a remote plasma source such that the field controllably extends through a field projection portion where the field attenuates, to a plasma processing portion where the field is attenuated but still strong enough to sustain a plasma. The plasma has a low voltage and RF energy and can be used for a variety of semiconductor and thin film processing operations including chamber cleaning via radical generation, etching, and deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: AES Global Holdings, PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley
  • Patent number: 9524854
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Victor Brouk, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley
  • Publication number: 20150279631
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Victor Brouk, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley
  • Patent number: 9142388
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Victor Brouk, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley
  • Patent number: 8884525
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for dissociating a non-activated gas through a disc-shaped plasma in a remote plasma source. Two inductive elements, one on either side of the disc-shaped plasma, generate a magnetic field that induces electric fields that sustain the disc-shaped plasma. The inductive elements can be coiled conductors having any number of loops and can be arranged in planar or vertical coils or a combination of planar and vertical coils. Additionally, the ratio of inductive element radius to gap distance between the two inductive elements can be configured to achieve a desired vertical plasma confinement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Randy Grilley, Karen Peterson
  • Patent number: 8723423
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Victor Brouk, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley
  • Publication number: 20120242229
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods and apparatuses for dissociating a non-activated gas through a disc-shaped plasma in a remote plasma source. Two inductive elements, one on either side of the disc-shaped plasma, generate a magnetic field that induces electric fields that sustain the disc-shaped plasma. The inductive elements can be coiled conductors having any number of loops and can be arranged in planar or vertical coils or a combination of planar and vertical coils. Additionally, the ratio of inductive element radius to gap distance between the two inductive elements can be configured to achieve a desired vertical plasma confinement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Randy Grilley, Karen Peterson
  • Publication number: 20120187844
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for capacitively coupling energy into a plasma to ignite and sustain the plasma within a remote plasma source. The power is provided by a first electrode that at least partially surrounds or is surrounded by a second electrode. The second electrode can be grounded or floating. First and second dielectric components can be arranged to separate one or both of the electrodes from the plasma and thereby DC isolate the plasma from one or both of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Hoffman, Daniel Carter, Victor Brouk, Karen Peterson, Randy Grilley