Patents by Inventor Riichirou Aoki

Riichirou Aoki 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: 20080090501
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20060009130
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6966821
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20030148714
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6547638
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6443808
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6439971
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6425806
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20010014572
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 6273802
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20010010996
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20010010997
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20010011000
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least including one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 5948205
    Abstract: To planarize an insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a polishing slurry containing cerium oxide is used to polish the surface of the insulating film. Using the cerium oxide included slurry as a polishing agent, the insulating film is not contaminated by alkali metals during the polishing process. Furthermore, the insulating film is polished at an enhanced polishing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masako Kodera, Hiroyuki Yano, Atsushi Shigeta, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Haruo Okano
  • Patent number: 5914275
    Abstract: To planarize an insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a polishing slurry containing cerium oxide is used to polish the surface of the insulating film. Using the cerium oxide included slurry as a polishing agent, the insulating film is not contaminated by alkali metals during the polishing process. Furthermore, the insulating film is polished at an enhanced polishing rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masako Kodera, Hiroyuki Yano, Atsushi Shigeta, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Haruo Okano
  • Patent number: 5885138
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus includes an arrangement of a plurality of units to deal with various operations and a robot having at least one arm. The plurality of units are disposed around the robot and include a loading unit for receiving thereon a, e.g. dry, workpiece to be polished, a polishing system including at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, a washing system and a drying system at least one washing unit for washing and drying the polished workpiece, and an unloading unit for receiving thereon a resultant clean and dry polished workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Seiji Ishikawa, Manabu Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 5695601
    Abstract: A film formed on a wafer is polished in a CMP unit. Thereafter, the wafer, which is adhered to a wafer holder, is moved to a portion above an optical sensor. A surface of the wafer is radiated with, for example, a visible ray, thereby measuring a thickness of the film which has been polished. A control unit automatically sets a polishing time for polishing a film on a wafer to be polished next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masako Kodera, Atsushi Shigeta, Shiro Mishima, Hiromi Yajima, Riichirou Aoki
  • Patent number: 5653623
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer is installed in a clean room. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing section having a turntable with an abrasive cloth mounted on an upper surface thereof, a top ring for supporting the workpiece to be polished and pressing the workpiece against the abrasive cloth, a loading section for loading the workpiece to be polished onto the top ring, and an unloading section for unloading the workpiece which has been polished from the top ring. A cover covers an entire area of movement of the top ring including the polishing section, the loading section and the unloading section. An exhaust duct discharges air of an interior space of the cover to an outside of an installation space of the polishing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norio Kimura, Seiji Ishikawa, Masako Kodera, Atsushi Shigeta, Riichirou Aoki
  • Patent number: 5641581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, in which a silicon oxide film containing fluorine, said film exhibiting a low dielectric constant and a low hygroscopicity and acting as an insulating film for electrically isolating wirings included in a semiconductor device, is formed by a plasma CVD method using a source gas containing at least silicon, oxygen and fluorine, under the conditions that the relationship between the gas pressure P (Torr) and the ion energy E (eV) satisfies formula A given below:P.gtoreq.5.times.10.sup.-4, P.ltoreq.10.sup.-1.times.10.sup.-E/45( A)and the relationship between the ion energy E (eV) and the plasma density D (/cm.sup.3) satisfies the formula B given below:D.gtoreq.2.times.10.sup.11.times.10.sup.-E/45, 10 .ltoreq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yukio Nishiyama, Rempei Nakata, Nobuo Hayasaka, Haruo Okano, Riichirou Aoki, Takahito Nagamatsu, Akemi Satoh, Masao Toyosaki, Hitoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 5616063
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is a cluster type of apparatus having a plurality of units which perform various operations. The polishing apparatus includes a universal transfer robot having at least one arm for transferring a workpiece, a plurality of units disposed around the universal transfer robot and including a loading unit for receiving the workpiece to be polished, at least one polishing unit for polishing the workpiece, at least one washing unit for washing the workpiece which has been polished and an unloading unit for receiving the cleaned workpiece. Discrete mechanisms respectively transfer a clean workpiece and a dirty workpiece amongst the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisya Toshiba, Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Riichirou Aoki, Hiromi Yajima, Masako Kodera, Shirou Mishima, Atsushi Shigeta, Masayoshi Hirose, Norio Kimura, Seiji Ishikawa