Patents by Inventor Robert J. O'Donnell

Robert J. O'Donnell 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: 20010054600
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simulating a standard wafer in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The apparatus includes a support layer suitable for being handled by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Applied to the support layer is a mixture including a process agent and a material. During use, the present invention simulates a standard production wafer including material similar to that in the mixture of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory J. Goldspring, Robert J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6296778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simulating a standard wafer in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The apparatus includes a support layer suitable for being handled by the semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Applied to the support layer is a mixture including a process agent and a material. During use, the present invention simulates a standard production wafer including material similar to that in the mixture of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Goldspring, Robert J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6242107
    Abstract: A method for etching selected portions of an aluminum-containing layer of a layer stack that is disposed on a substrate. The aluminum-containing layer is disposed below a photoresist mask having a pattern thereon. The method includes providing a plasma processing chamber and positioning the substrate having thereon the layer stack, including the aluminum containing layer and the photoresist mask, within the plasma processing chamber. The method further includes flowing an etchant source gas that comprises HCl, a chlorine-containing source gas, and an oxygen-containing source gas into the plasma processing chamber. The oxygen-containing source gas is preferably CO2. The flow rate of the oxygen-containing source gas is less than about 20 percent of a total flow rate of the etchant source gas. There is also included striking a plasma out of the etchant source gas, wherein the plasma is employed to etch at least partially through the aluminum-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 5994235
    Abstract: A method for etching selected portions of an aluminum-containing layer of a layer stack that is disposed on a substrate. The aluminum-containing layer is disposed below a photoresist mask having a pattern thereon. The method includes providing a plasma processing chamber and positioning the substrate having thereon the layer stack, including the aluminum containing layer and the photoresist mask, within the plasma processing chamber. The method further includes flowing an etchant source gas that comprises HCl, a chlorine-containing source gas, and an oxygen-containing source gas into the plasma processing chamber. The flow rate of the oxygen-containing source gas is less than about 20 percent of a total flow rate of the etchant source gas. There is also included striking a plasma out of the etchant source gas, wherein the plasma is employed to etch at least partially through the aluminum-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 4170839
    Abstract: A child's toy in the form of a miniature, operative storm sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Inventor: Robert J. O'Donnell