Patents by Inventor Ryan Pakulski

Ryan Pakulski 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: 12575360
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a processing chamber. The systems may include a remote plasma unit coupled with the processing chamber. The systems may include an adapter coupled between the remote plasma unit and the processing chamber. The adapter may be characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The remote plasma unit may be coupled with the adapter at the first end. The adapter may define a first central channel extending more than 50% of a length of the adapter from the first end of the adapter. The adapter may define a second central channel extending less than 50% of the length of the adapter from the second end of the adapter. The adapter may define a transition between the first central channel and the second central channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Son T. Nguyen, Kenneth D. Schatz, Anh N. Nguyen, Soonwook Jung, Ryan Pakulski, Anchuan Wang, Zihui Li
  • Patent number: 12567565
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a lid plate seated on the chamber body. The lid plate may define a plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks. The systems may include a plurality of substrate supports. The systems may include a plurality of peripheral valves. Each peripheral valve may be disposed in one of the processing regions. Each peripheral valve may include a bottom plate coupled with the chamber body. The peripheral valve may include a bellow. The bellow may be coupled with the bottom plate. The peripheral valve may include a sealing ring having a body defining a central aperture. A bottom surface of the body may be coupled with the bellow. The body may define a recess having a diameter greater than that of a support plate of a substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saravanakumar Natarajan, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20250299930
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to semiconductor processing systems and methods. Systems and methods include a chamber having a plurality of chamber components, such as a pedestal, a lid stack, a faceplate, electrode, and a showerhead. The faceplate is supported with the lid stack and defines a plurality of first apertures and the showerhead is positioned between the faceplate and the pedestal and defines a plurality of second apertures. In systems and methods, the faceplate, the showerhead, the lid stack, the pedestal, or a combination thereof include an yttrium fluoride, yttrium oxyfluoride, or both yttrium fluoride and yttrium oxyfluoride coating having a thickness of greater than 10 ?m on at least a portion of the respective chamber component or combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2025
    Publication date: September 25, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Laksheswar Kalita, Joseph Behnke, Ryan Pakulski, Christopher L. Beaudry, Jonathan Strahle
  • Patent number: 12362150
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to semiconductor processing systems and methods. Systems and methods include a chamber having a plurality of chamber components, such as a pedestal, a lid stack, a faceplate, electrode, and a showerhead. The faceplate is supported with the lid stack and defines a plurality of first apertures and the showerhead is positioned between the faceplate and the pedestal and defines a plurality of second apertures. In systems and methods, the faceplate, the showerhead, the lid stack, the pedestal, or a combination thereof include an yttrium fluoride, yttrium oxyfluoride, or both yttrium fluoride and yttrium oxyfluoride coating having a thickness of greater than 10 ?m on at least a portion of the respective chamber component or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Laksheswar Kalita, Joseph Behnke, Ryan Pakulski, Christopher L. Beaudry, Jonathan Strahle
  • Publication number: 20250125181
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a chamber body. The chambers may include a showerhead positioned atop the body. The chambers may include an electrostatic chuck assembly disposed within the body. The assembly may include a puck that may include a first plate including an electrically insulating material and that defines a substrate support surface. The puck may include a multi-zone heating assembly thermally coupled with the first plate. The puck may include bipolar electrodes. The puck may include a second plate that defines cooling channels. The assembly may include an insulator beneath the second plate. The assembly may include a base plate beneath the insulator. The assembly may include a shaft that may include a heater rod coupled with the heating assembly. The shaft may include a cooling fluid lumen fluidly coupled with the cooling channels. The shaft may include a power rod electrically coupled with a bipolar electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Onkara Swamy Kora Siddaramaiah, David Benjaminson, Ryan Pakulski, Anh N. Nguyen, Son T. Nguyen, Prashanth Rao
  • Publication number: 20250093300
    Abstract: A system can include a chamber body of a processing chamber, a substrate support assembly disposed within the chamber body and associated with a processing region, a radical sensor disposed within the processing chamber, and a controller. The radical sensor is to measure a change in resonant frequency of a radical sensor of the radical sensor, and the change in resonant frequency of the radical sensor correlates to a concentration of radical species associated with a target gas. The controller is to determine one or more conditions of the processing chamber based on the change in the resonant frequency of the radical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Jia Pelpa, Mehran Moalem, Manuel A. Hernandez, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20240304423
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to semiconductor processing systems and methods. Systems and methods include a chamber having a plurality of chamber components, such as a pedestal, a lid stack, a faceplate, electrode, and a showerhead. The faceplate is supported with the lid stack and defines a plurality of first apertures and the showerhead is positioned between the faceplate and the pedestal and defines a plurality of second apertures. In systems and methods, the faceplate, the showerhead, the lid stack, the pedestal, or a combination thereof include an yttrium fluoride, yttrium oxyfluoride, or both yttrium fluoroide and yttrium oxyfluoride coating having a thickness of greater than 10 ?m on at least a portion of the respective chamber component or combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Laksheswar Kalita, Joseph Behnke, Ryan Pakulski, Christopher L. Beaudry, Jonathan Strahle
  • Publication number: 20230095095
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate processing systems may include a chamber body defining a transfer region. The systems may include a lid plate seated on the chamber body. The lid plate may define a plurality of apertures. The systems may include a plurality of lid stacks. The systems may include a plurality of substrate supports. The systems may include a plurality of peripheral valves. Each peripheral valve may be disposed in one of the processing regions. Each peripheral valve may include a bottom plate coupled with the chamber body. The peripheral valve may include a bellow. The bellow may be coupled with the bottom plate. The peripheral valve may include a sealing ring having a body defining a central aperture. A bottom surface of the body may be coupled with the bellow. The body may define a recess having a diameter greater than that of a support plate of a substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saravanakumar Natarajan, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20230005765
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a processing chamber. The systems may include a remote plasma unit coupled with the processing chamber. The systems may include an adapter coupled between the remote plasma unit and the processing chamber. The adapter may be characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The remote plasma unit may be coupled with the adapter at the first end. The adapter may define a first central channel extending more than 50% of a length of the adapter from the first end of the adapter. The adapter may define a second central channel extending less than 50% of the length of the adapter from the second end of the adapter. The adapter may define a transition between the first central channel and the second central channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Son T. Nguyen, Kenneth D. Schatz, Anh N. Nguyen, Soonwook Jung, Ryan Pakulski, Anchuan Wang, Zihui Li
  • Patent number: 11257696
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing workpieces, such as semiconductor workpieces are provided. One example embodiment is directed to a processing system for processing a plurality of workpieces. The plasma processing system can include a loadlock chamber. The loadlock chamber can include a workpiece column configured to support a plurality of workpieces in a stacked arrangement. The system can further include at least two process chambers. The at least two process chambers can have at least two processing stations. Each processing station can have a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece during processing in the process chamber. The system further includes a transfer chamber in process flow communication with the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. The transfer chamber includes a rotary robot. The rotary robot can be configured to transfer a plurality of workpieces from the stacked arrangement in the loadlock chamber to the at least two processing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Mattson Technology, Inc., Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Yang, Ryan Pakulski
  • Patent number: 11201036
    Abstract: Plasma strip tools with process uniformity control are provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a first pedestal in the processing chamber operable to support a workpiece, and a second pedestal in the processing chamber operable to support another workpiece. The first pedestal can define a first processing station. The second pedestal can define a second processing station. The apparatus can further include a first plasma chamber disposed above the first processing station and a second plasma chamber disposed above the second processing station. The first plasma chamber can be associated with a first inductive plasma source. The first plasma chamber can be separated from the processing chamber by a first separation grid. The second plasma chamber can be associated with a second inductive plasma source. The second plasma chamber can be separated from the processing chamber by a second separation grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technology Co., LTD, Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20210005431
    Abstract: Plasma processing with post plasma gas injection is provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a processing chamber separated from the plasma chamber. The processing chamber includes a substrate holder operable to support a workpiece. The apparatus includes a plasma source configured to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a separation grid separating the plasma chamber from the processing chamber. The separation grid can be configured to filter one or more ions generated in the plasma and allow the passage of neutral particles from the plasma chamber to the processing chamber. The apparatus can include at least one gas port configured to inject a gas into neutral particles passing through the separation grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Patent number: 10790119
    Abstract: Plasma processing with post plasma gas injection is provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a processing chamber separated from the plasma chamber. The processing chamber includes a substrate holder operable to support a workpiece. The apparatus includes a plasma source configured to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a separation grid separating the plasma chamber from the processing chamber. The separation grid can be configured to filter one or more ions generated in the plasma and allow the passage of neutral particles from the plasma chamber to the processing chamber. The apparatus can include at least one gas port configured to inject a gas into neutral particles passing through the separation grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC, BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20200176288
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing workpieces, such as semiconductor workpieces are provided. One example embodiment is directed to a processing system for processing a plurality of workpieces. The plasma processing system can include a loadlock chamber. The loadlock chamber can include a workpiece column configured to support a plurality of workpieces in a stacked arrangement. The system can further include at least two process chambers. The at least two process chambers can have at least two processing stations. Each processing station can have a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece during processing in the process chamber. The system further includes a transfer chamber in process flow communication with the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. The transfer chamber includes a rotary robot. The rotary robot can be configured to transfer a plurality of workpieces from the stacked arrangement in the loadlock chamber to the at least two processing stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Yang, Ryan Pakulski
  • Patent number: 10580672
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing workpieces, such as semiconductor workpieces are provided. One example embodiment is directed to a processing system for processing a plurality of workpieces. The plasma processing system can include a loadlock chamber. The loadlock chamber can include a workpiece column configured to support a plurality of workpieces in a stacked arrangement. The system can further include at least two process chambers. The at least two process chambers can have at least two processing stations. Each processing station can have a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece during processing in the process chamber. The system further includes a transfer chamber in process flow communication with the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. The transfer chamber includes a rotary robot. The rotary robot can be configured to transfer a plurality of workpieces from the stacked arrangement in the loadlock chamber to the at least two processing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: MATTSON TECHNOLOGY, INC., BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY, CO., LTD
    Inventors: Michael Yang, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20180358210
    Abstract: Plasma strip tools with process uniformity control are provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber. The apparatus includes a first pedestal in the processing chamber operable to support a workpiece. The first pedestal can define a first processing station. The plasma processing apparatus can include a second pedestal in the processing chamber operable to support a workpiece. The second pedestal can define a second processing station. The apparatus can include a first plasma chamber disposed above the first processing station. The first plasma chamber can be associated with a first inductive plasma source. The first plasma chamber can be separated from the processing chamber by a first separation grid. The apparatus can include a second plasma chamber disposed above the second processing station. The second plasma chamber can be associated with a second inductive plasma source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20180358206
    Abstract: Plasma processing apparatus are provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber. The apparatus includes a pedestal operable to support a workpiece in the processing chamber. The apparatus includes a plasma chamber. The plasma chamber defines an active plasma generation region along a vertical surface of a dielectric sidewall of the plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a separation grid positioned between the processing chamber and the plasma chamber along a vertical direction. The apparatus includes a plurality of induction coils extending about the plasma chamber. Each of the plurality of induction coils can be disposed at a different position along the vertical direction. Each of the plurality of induction coils can be operable to generate a plasma in the active plasma generation region along the vertical surface of the dielectric sidewall of the plasma chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20180358208
    Abstract: Plasma processing with post plasma gas injection is provided. In one example implementation, a plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a processing chamber separated from the plasma chamber. The processing chamber includes a substrate holder operable to support a workpiece. The apparatus includes a plasma source configured to generate a plasma in the plasma chamber. The apparatus includes a separation grid separating the plasma chamber from the processing chamber. The separation grid can be configured to filter one or more ions generated in the plasma and allow the passage of neutral particles from the plasma chamber to the processing chamber. The apparatus can include at least one gas port configured to inject a gas into neutral particles passing through the separation grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Shawming Ma, Vladimir Nagorny, Dixit V. Desai, Ryan Pakulski
  • Publication number: 20180108548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing workpieces, such as semiconductor workpieces are provided. One example embodiment is directed to a processing system for processing a plurality of workpieces. The plasma processing system can include a loadlock chamber. The loadlock chamber can include a workpiece column configured to support a plurality of workpieces in a stacked arrangement. The system can further include at least two process chambers. The at least two process chambers can have at least two processing stations. Each processing station can have a workpiece support for supporting a workpiece during processing in the process chamber. The system further includes a transfer chamber in process flow communication with the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. The transfer chamber includes a rotary robot. The rotary robot can be configured to transfer a plurality of workpieces from the stacked arrangement in the loadlock chamber to the at least two processing stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Yang, Ryan Pakulski
  • Patent number: 8668422
    Abstract: As part of a system for processing workpieces, a workpiece support arrangement, separate from a process chamber arrangement supports at least two workpieces at least generally in a stacked relationship to form a workpiece column. A transfer arrangement transports at least two of the workpieces between the workpiece column and the process chamber arrangement by simultaneously moving the two workpieces at least generally along first and second transfer paths, respectively, that are defined between the workpiece column and the first and second process stations. The transfer arrangement can simultaneously move untreated and treated workpieces. Vertical motion swing arms and coaxial swing arms are described. A pair of spaced apart swing arms, the workpiece column and the processing stations can cooperatively define a pentagonal shape. Timing belt backlash elimination, a dual degree of freedom slot valve and low point chamber pumping, for removing chamber contaminants, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leszek Niewmierzycki, David Barker, Daniel J. Devine, Michael Kuhlman, Ryan Pakulski, Hongqing Shan, Martin Zucker