Patents by Inventor Shashank Sharma

Shashank Sharma 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: 11587789
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for processing channel structures of substrates that include positioning the substrate in a first processing chamber having a first processing volume being in fluid communication with a plasma source. The substrate can include a channel structure with high aspect ratio features having aspect ratios greater than about 20:1. The method can also include forming an oxide cap layer over a silicon-containing layer of the channel structure and exposing the oxide cap layer to a hydrogen-or-deuterium radical to nucleate the silicon-containing layer of the channel structures of the substrate. Forming the oxide cap layer and exposing the channel structure with the hydrogen radical occurs in the first processing chamber to form a nucleated substrate. The method can also include positioning the nucleated substrate in a second processing chamber with a second processing volume and heating the nucleated substrate in the second processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinming Zhang, Abhilash J. Mayur, Shashank Sharma, Norman L. Tam, Matthew Spuller, Zeqiong Zhao
  • Patent number: 11582388
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera actuator includes an actuator base, an autofocus voice coil motor, and an optical image stabilization voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the autofocus voice coil motor includes a lens carrier mounting attachment moveably mounted to the actuator base, a plurality of shared magnets mounted to the base, and an autofocus coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier mounting attachment for producing forces for moving a lens carrier in a direction of an optical axis of one or more lenses of the lens carrier. In some embodiments, the optical image stabilization voice coil motor includes an image sensor carrier moveably mounted to the actuator base, and optical image stabilization coils moveably mounted to the image sensor carrier within the magnetic fields of the shared magnets, for producing forces for moving the image sensor carrier in a plurality of directions orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Qiang Yang, Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230033058
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include an inductively coupled plasma source. The systems may include an RF power source that is electrically coupled with the inductively coupled plasma source. The systems may include a first gas source fluidly coupled with the inductively coupled plasma source. The systems may include a second gas source. The systems may include a dual-channel showerhead assembly defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. The first plurality of apertures may be fluidly coupled with the inductively coupled plasma source. The second plurality of apertures are fluidly coupled with the second gas source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Khokan Chandra Paul, Truong Van Nguyen, Diwakar Kedlaya, Maziar Aghvami, Vijet Patil, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11562902
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of semiconductor processing may include flowing a silicon-containing precursor into a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. A substrate may be housed within the processing region, and the substrate may be maintained at a temperature below or about 450° C. The methods may include striking a plasma of the silicon-containing precursor. The methods may include forming a layer of amorphous silicon on a semiconductor substrate. The layer of amorphous silicon may be characterized by less than or about 3% hydrogen incorporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Cheng, Diwakar Kedlaya, Karthik Janakiraman, Gautam K. Hemani, Krishna Nittala, Alicia J. Lustgraaf, Zubin Huang, Brett Spaulding, Shashank Sharma, Kelvin Chan
  • Publication number: 20230010117
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The VCM actuator assembly is configured to move an image sensor of the camera in three dimensions (e.g. X, Y, and Z) to provide the AF and/or OIS movements. The VCM actuator assembly is asymmetrical and includes an at least partially open side that allows an optical assembly of the camera to pass through the open side of the VCM actuator. In some embodiments, the optical assembly is part of a folded optics arrangement of the camera that includes one or more prisms/and or lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230007235
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to contaminant detection systems and related optical systems and methods. An example contaminant detection system includes an optical coupler configured to couple light into and/or out of an optical element. The contaminant detection system also includes a plurality of light-emitter devices configured to emit emission light toward the optical coupler. The contaminant detection system additionally includes a plurality of detector devices configured to detect at least a portion of the emission light by way of the optical element and the optical coupler. The plurality of detector devices is also configured to provide detector signals indicative of a presence of a contaminant on the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin Frevert, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11539864
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a folded optics arrangement and include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The camera with folded optics and the associated VCM actuator assembly have a first rotational normal mode of free vibration such that lenses of the camera rotate about an optical axis of the camera such that the rotational motion in the first rotational mode of free vibration is invisible from a perspective of an image sensor of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Brad V. Johnson, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Patent number: 11469100
    Abstract: A method of post-treating a dielectric film formed on a surface of a substrate includes positioning a substrate having a dielectric film formed thereon in a processing chamber and exposing the dielectric film to microwave radiation in the processing chamber at a frequency between 5 GHz and 7 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Sun, Praket Prakash Jha, Jingmei Liang, Martin Jay Seamons, DongQing Li, Shashank Sharma, Abhilash J. Mayur, Wolfgang R. Aderhold
  • Patent number: 11457204
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to contaminant detection systems and related optical systems and methods. An example contaminant detection system includes an optical coupler configured to couple light into and/or out of an optical element. The contaminant detection system also includes a plurality of light-emitter devices configured to emit emission light toward the optical coupler. The contaminant detection system additionally includes a plurality of detector devices configured to detect at least a portion of the emission light by way of the optical element and the optical coupler. The plurality of detector devices is also configured to provide detector signals indicative of a presence of a contaminant on the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Frevert, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220298620
    Abstract: Enhanced oxidation with hydrogen radical pretreatment is described. In an example, a method of oxidizing a substrate includes positioning a substrate in a processing volume of a processing chamber, generating hydrogen radicals using a remote plasma source fluidly coupled to the processing chamber, exposing a surface of the substrate to the generated hydrogen radicals, and, subsequent to exposing the substrate to the generated hydrogen radicals, oxidizing the surface of the substrate to form an oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Spuller, Pradeep Sampath Kumar, Shashank Sharma, Norman Tam
  • Patent number: 11448941
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The VCM actuator assembly is configured to move an image sensor of the camera in three dimensions (e.g. X, Y, and Z) to provide the AF and/or OIS movements. The VCM actuator assembly is asymmetrical and includes an at least partially open side that allows an optical assembly of the camera to pass through the open side of the VCM actuator. In some embodiments, the optical assembly is part of a folded optics arrangement of the camera that includes one or more prisms/and or lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220291518
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lens carrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of light transiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assembly and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assembly generates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220286584
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum
  • Publication number: 20220232149
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera focus adjustment device, a lens, and an image sensor coupled to the camera focus adjustment device. The camera focus adjustment device includes a flexure structure. The flexure structure includes an outer framework of structural members continuously interconnected by flexure notch hinges. The flexure structure also includes two inner structural members oriented in parallel and extending from the outer framework of structural members. A gap is between the two inner structural members. The camera focus adjustment device also includes a piezoelectric material within the gap and a pair of wedges within the gap. The pair of wedges is affixed to the piezoelectric material and to one inner structural member of the two inner structural members. Based on temperature-based piezoelectric activity associated with the piezoelectric material, the camera focus adjustment device is operable to move the image sensor relative to the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220214598
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics. Some embodiments include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements. Some embodiments include flexure arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Patent number: 11378813
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lens carrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of light transiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assembly and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assembly generates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Steven Webster, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220187687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems, vehicles, and methods for providing improved thermal images. An example optical system includes a housing, a thermal camera disposed inside the housing, and an optical window coupled to an opening of the housing. The optical system also includes a heater assembly. The heater assembly includes a window heater and at least one connector extending from the window heater. The window heater is thermally coupled to an inner surface of the optical window. The window heater is configured to maintain the optical window at a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Matthew Last, Ralph Shepard
  • Patent number: 11362275
    Abstract: Exemplary methods of forming a memory structure may include forming a layer of a transition-metal-and-oxygen-containing material overlying a substrate. The substrate may include a first electrode material. The methods may include annealing the transition-metal-and-oxygen-containing material at a temperature greater than or about 500° C. The annealing may occur for a time period less than or about one second. The methods may also include, subsequent the annealing, forming a layer of a second electrode material over the transition-metal-and-oxygen-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Louis Gabriel Breil, Siddarth Krishnan, Shashank Sharma, Ria Someshwar, Kai Ng, Deepak Kamalanathan
  • Publication number: 20220176892
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems, vehicles, and methods for providing improved mechanical performance of a camera and corresponding optical elements. An example optical system includes an outer housing and an inner support member. The optical system also includes an optical window coupled to the outer housing and the inner support member. The optical window is configured to be temperature-controllable. The optical system also includes a camera coupled to the inner support member. The camera is optically coupled to the optical window. Additionally, the outer housing, the optical window, and the camera are configured to be impact resistant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Matthew Last
  • Patent number: 11350018
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Alfred N. Mireault, Nicholas D. Smyth, Zachary W. Birnbaum