Patents by Inventor Roger Curtis

Roger Curtis 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: 11885021
    Abstract: A gas supply member includes a first side opposite a second side and an inner surface defining a first opening extending between the first and second sides. The gas supply member includes a third side orthogonal to the first side, the third side includes a first extension that has a face partially defining the second side, and the first extension includes a first plurality of holes extending through the first extension to the face. The gas supply member includes a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side includes a protrusion that has a face partially defining the second side. The gas supply member also includes a baffle disposed adjacent to the inner surface, the baffle includes a first portion extending from the inner surface and a second portion attached to the first portion, and the second portion orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Shah, Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Kailash Pradhan, Sairaju Tallavarjula, Rene George, Eric Kihara Shono, Philip A. Bottini, Roger Curtis
  • Patent number: 11581408
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Canfeng Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey A. Tobin, Christopher S. Olsen, Malcolm J. Bevan
  • Patent number: 11124878
    Abstract: A gas supply member includes a first side opposite a second side and an inner surface defining a first opening extending between the first and second sides. The gas supply member includes a third side orthogonal to the first side, the third side includes a first extension that has a face partially defining the second side, and the first extension includes a first plurality of holes extending through the first extension to the face. The gas supply member includes a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side includes a protrusion that has a face partially defining the second side. The gas supply member also includes a baffle disposed adjacent to the inner surface, the baffle includes a first portion extending from the inner surface and a second portion attached to the first portion, and the second portion orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the third side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Shah, Vishwas Kumar Pandey, Kailash Pradhan, Sairaju Tallavarjula, Rene George, Eric Kihara Shono, Philip A. Bottini, Roger Curtis
  • Publication number: 20210262093
    Abstract: A gas supply member includes a first side opposite a second side and an inner surface defining a first opening extending between the first and second sides. The gas supply member includes a third side orthogonal to the first side, the third side includes a first extension that has a face partially defining the second side, and the first extension includes a first plurality of holes extending through the first extension to the face. The gas supply member includes a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side includes a protrusion that has a face partially defining the second side. The gas supply member also includes a baffle disposed adjacent to the inner surface, the baffle includes a first portion extending from the inner surface and a second portion attached to the first portion, and the second portion orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Kartik SHAH, Vishwas Kumar PANDEY, Kailash PRADHAN, Sairaju TALLAVARJULA, Rene GEORGE, Eric Kihara SHONO, Philip A. BOTTINI, Roger CURTIS
  • Publication number: 20210202702
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Canfeng LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey A. TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm J. BEVAN
  • Patent number: 10950698
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Canfeng Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher S. Olsen, Malcolm Bevan
  • Publication number: 20190088485
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate in a processing region of a process chamber is provided. The method includes generating and flowing plasma species from a remote plasma source to a delivery member having a longitudinal passageway, flowing plasma species from the longitudinal passageway to an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, wherein the plasma species are flowed at an angle into the inlet port to promote collision of ions or reaction of ions with electrons or charged particles in the plasma species such that ions are substantially eliminated from the plasma species before entering the processing region of the process chamber, and selectively incorporating atomic radicals from the plasma species in silicon or polysilicon regions of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Scott ROGERS, Roger CURTIS, Lara HAWRYLCHAK, Ken Kaung LAI, Bernard L. HWANG, Jeffrey TOBIN, Christopher S. OLSEN, Malcolm BEVAN
  • Publication number: 20190032216
    Abstract: A gas supply member includes a first side opposite a second side and an inner surface defining a first opening extending between the first and second sides. The gas supply member includes a third side orthogonal to the first side, the third side includes a first extension that has a face partially defining the second side, and the first extension includes a first plurality of holes extending through the first extension to the face. The gas supply member includes a fourth side opposite the third side, the fourth side includes a protrusion that has a face partially defining the second side. The gas supply member also includes a baffle disposed adjacent to the inner surface, the baffle includes a first portion extending from the inner surface and a second portion attached to the first portion, and the second portion orthogonal to the first portion and parallel to the third side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Kartik SHAH, Vishwas Kumar PANDEY, Kailash PRADHAN, Sairaju TALLAVARJULA, Rene GEORGE, Eric Kihara SHONO, Philip A. BOTTINI, Roger CURTIS
  • Patent number: 10049881
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a remote plasma system includes a remote plasma chamber defining a first region for generating a plasma comprising ions and radicals, a process chamber defining a second region for processing a semiconductor device, the process chamber comprising an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the second region, and a delivery member disposed between the remote plasma chamber and the process chamber and having a passageway in fluid communication with the first region and the inlet port, wherein the delivery member is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the passageway intersects at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Rogers, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Ken Kaung Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher Olsen, Malcolm J. Bevan
  • Patent number: 8999106
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for controlling edge performance during process. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a chamber body defining a process volume, a gas inlet configured to flow a process gas into the process volume, and a supporting pedestal disposed in the process volume. The supporting pedestal comprises a top plate having a substrate supporting surface configured to receive and support the substrate on a backside, and an edge surface configured to circumscribe the substrate along an outer edge of the substrate, and a height difference between a top surface of the substrate and the edge surface is used to control exposure of an edge region of the substrate to the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes F. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini, Michael J. Mark
  • Publication number: 20130040444
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved apparatus and methods for nitridation of stacks of materials. In one embodiment, a remote plasma system includes a remote plasma chamber defining a first region for generating a plasma comprising ions and radicals, a process chamber defining a second region for processing a semiconductor device, the process chamber comprising an inlet port formed in a sidewall of the process chamber, the inlet port being in fluid communication with the second region, and a delivery member disposed between the remote plasma chamber and the process chamber and having a passageway in fluid communication with the first region and the inlet port, wherein the delivery member is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the passageway intersects at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: MATTHEW S. ROGERS, Roger Curtis, Lara Hawrylchak, Ken Kaung Lai, Bernard L. Hwang, Jeffrey Tobin, Christopher Olsen, Malcom J. Bevan
  • Publication number: 20120164845
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for processing a substrate. Particularly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods to obtain a desired distribution of a process gas. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising an injection nozzle having a first fluid path including a first inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of first injection ports connected with the first inlet, wherein the plurality of first injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the first inlet towards a first region of a process volume, and a second fluid path including a second inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of second injection ports connected with the second inlet, wherein the second injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the second inlet towards a second region of the process volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes S. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini
  • Patent number: 8137463
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for processing a substrate. Particularly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods to obtain a desired distribution of a process gas. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising an injection nozzle having a first fluid path including a first inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of first injection ports connected with the first inlet, wherein the plurality of first injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the first inlet towards a first region of a process volume, and a second fluid path including a second inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of second injection ports connected with the second inlet, wherein the second injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the second inlet towards a second region of the process volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes S. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini
  • Patent number: 8062472
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for adjusting plasma density distribution in an inductively coupled plasma chamber. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus configured for processing a substrate. The apparatus comprises a chamber body defining a process volume configured to process the substrate therein, and a coil assembly coupled to the chamber body outside the process volume, wherein the coil assembly comprises a coil mounting plate, a first coil antenna mounted on the coil mounting plate, and a coil adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the alignment of the first coil antenna relative to the process volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes F. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini
  • Publication number: 20090159425
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for adjusting plasma density distribution in an inductively coupled plasma chamber. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus configured for processing a substrate. The apparatus comprises a chamber body defining a process volume configured to process the substrate therein, and a coil assembly coupled to the chamber body outside the process volume, wherein the coil assembly comprises a coil mounting plate, a first coil antenna mounted on the coil mounting plate, and a coil adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the alignment of the first coil antenna relative to the process volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes F. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini
  • Publication number: 20090159424
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and method for processing a substrate. Particularly, the present invention provides apparatus and methods to obtain a desired distribution of a process gas. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising an injection nozzle having a first fluid path including a first inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of first injection ports connected with the first inlet, wherein the plurality of first injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the first inlet towards a first region of a process volume, and a second fluid path including a second inlet configured to receive a fluid input, and a plurality of second injection ports connected with the second inlet, wherein the second injection ports are configured to direct a fluid from the second inlet towards a second region of the process volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes S. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini
  • Publication number: 20090162570
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for processing a semiconductor substrate. Particularly, the present invention provides an inductively coupled plasma reactor having improved process uniformity. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing a substrate comprising a chamber body defining a process volume configured to process the substrate therein, an adjustable coil assembly coupled to the chamber body outside the process volume, a supporting pedestal disposed in the process volume and configured to support the substrate therein, and a gas injection assembly configured to supply a process gas towards a first process zone and a second process zone independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Johanes F. Swenberg, Wei Liu, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini, Michael J. Mark, Theresa Kramer Guarini, Woong Choi
  • Publication number: 20090162952
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for controlling edge performance during process. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a chamber body defining a process volume, a gas inlet configured to flow a process gas into the process volume, and a supporting pedestal disposed in the process volume. The supporting pedestal comprises a top plate having a substrate supporting surface configured to receive and support the substrate on a backside, and an edge surface configured to circumscribe the substrate along an outer edge of the substrate, and a height difference between a top surface of the substrate and the edge surface is used to control exposure of an edge region of the substrate to the process gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Johanes F. Swenberg, Hanh D. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Roger Curtis, Philip A. Bottini, Michael J. Mark