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: 11901195
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for conducting a radical treatment operation on a substrate prior to conducting an annealing operation on the substrate. In one implementation, a method of processing semiconductor substrates includes pre-heating a substrate, and exposing the substrate to species radicals. The exposing of the substrate to the species radicals includes a treatment temperature that is less than 300 degrees Celsius, a treatment pressure that is less than 1.0 Torr, and a treatment time that is within a range of 8.0 minutes to 12.0 minutes. The method includes annealing the substrate after the exposing of the substrate to the species radicals. The annealing includes exposing the substrate to molecules, an anneal temperature that is 300 degrees Celsius or greater, an anneal pressure that is within a range of 500 Torr to 550 Torr, and an anneal time that is less than 4.0 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Sampath Kumar, Norman L. Tam, Dongming Iu, Shashank Sharma, Eric R. Rieske, Michael P. Kamp
  • Publication number: 20240014075
    Abstract: A method of forming an electrical contact in a semiconductor structure includes performing a patterning process to form a mask on a semiconductor structure, the semiconductor structure comprising a first semiconductor region, a second semiconductor region, a dielectric layer having a first opening over the first semiconductor region and a second opening over the second semiconductor region, wherein the mask covers an exposed surface of the second semiconductor region within the second opening, performing an amorphization ion implant process to amorphize an exposed surface of the first semiconductor region within the first opening, performing a removal process to remove the mask, performing a selective epitaxial deposition process, to epitaxially form a contact layer on the exposed surface of the second semiconductor region, and performing a recrystallization anneal process to recrystallize the amorphized surface of the first semiconductor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Nicolas Louis BREIL, Lisa MCGILL, Amritha RAMMOHAN, Shashank SHARMA
  • Patent number: 11835845
    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: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11831986
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with image sensor shifting capabilities and a flexure arrangement. In various embodiments, the flexure arrangement may include an upper flexure and a lower flexure. The upper flexure may include a suspension wire that extends between two sheets. The lower flexure may include one or more flexure arms that connect a moveable platform to a stationary platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11823901
    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. The substrate includes a channel structure with high aspect ratio features having aspect ratios greater than about 20:1. The method includes forming a silicon-containing layer over the channel structure to a hydrogen-or-deuterium plasma in the first processing volume at a flow rate of about 10 sccm to about 5000 sccm. The substrate is maintained at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 1100° C. during the exposing, the exposing forming a nucleated substrate. Subsequent to the exposing a thermal anneal operation is performed on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS INC.
    Inventors: Xinming Zhang, Abhilash J. Mayur, Shashank Sharma, Norman L. Tam, Matthew Spuller
  • Publication number: 20230362489
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to shift an image sensor along multiple axes. Some embodiments include a magnet and coil arrangement. Some embodiments include a position sensing arrangement. Some embodiments include a flexure arrangement. Some embodiments include a coil structure and coil carrier assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230341652
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230328373
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11750929
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to shift an image sensor along multiple axes. Some embodiments include a magnet and coil arrangement. Some embodiments include a position sensing arrangement. Some embodiments include a flexure arrangement. Some embodiments include a coil structure and coil carrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230273006
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis. The apparatus also includes a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to move the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus additionally includes a capacitive position sensor that includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the substrate and a second capacitive plate coupled to the lens assembly. The capacitive position sensor may be configured to generate a capacitance measurement indicative of the position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on (i) the capacitance measurement and (ii) a target position of the image sensor relative to the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Matthew Last, Prasanna Kalkura, Paul Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20230276113
    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: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11726295
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Smyth, Alfred N. Mireault, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11722774
    Abstract: A camera system includes a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit may include a first actuator. The second camera unit may include a second actuator. The first actuator may move one or more components of the first camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the first camera unit. The second actuator may move one or more components of the second camera unit to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization functionality to the second camera unit. The first camera unit may be configured to capture a first image of a first visual field. The second camera unit may be configured to capture, simultaneously with the first camera unit capturing the first image, a second image of a second visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Scott W. Miller, Aurelien R. Hubert
  • Patent number: 11716534
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230236387
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator configured to shift a lens and/or an image sensor along multiple axes. The VCM actuator may include a bottom flexure and a top flexure that connect one or more dynamic members to one or more static members. The VCM actuator may include stationary magnets and coils held by dynamic members. In some cases, the VCM actuator may be configured to move the image sensor along an optical axis, to move the image sensor in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, and/or to tilt the image sensor relative to the orthogonal axis. In some examples, the VCM actuator may be configured to move the image sensor in directions orthogonal to the optical axis, to move the lens along the optical axis, and/or to tilt the lens relative to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230199313
    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 to 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelien R. Hubert, Qiang Yang, Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11680786
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a lens assembly that includes at least one lens that defines an optical axis. The apparatus also includes a substrate, an image sensor disposed on the substrate, and an actuator coupled to the substrate and configured to adjust a position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly to move the image sensor along the optical axis. The apparatus additionally includes a capacitive position sensor that includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the substrate and a second capacitive plate coupled to the lens assembly. The capacitive position sensor may be configured to generate a capacitance measurement indicative of the position of the substrate relative to the lens assembly. The apparatus further includes circuitry configured to control the actuator based on (i) the capacitance measurement and (ii) a target position of the image sensor relative to the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Matthew Last, Prasanna Kalkura, Paul Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11678039
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Publication number: 20230178375
    Abstract: Method of forming film stacks and film stacks for electronic devices are described herein. The methods comprise depositing a molybdenum nucleation layer on a gate oxide layer; depositing a molybdenum layer on the molybdenum nucleation layer; and performing a plasma nitridation process to insert nitrogen atoms into the molybdenum layer to form a work function modulating layer having an effective work function ? 4.5 eV. The plasma nitridation process comprises exposing the molybdenum layer to a radical-rich plasma comprising one or more of N2 or NH3. Some methods further comprise one or more of annealing the work function modulating layer, depositing a conductive layer on the work function modulating layer, or performing an etch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunal Bhatnagar, Wei Liu, Shashank Sharma, Archana Kumar, Mohith Verghese, Jose Alexandro Romero
  • Publication number: 20230146981
    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 as-deposited may be characterized by less than or about 3% hydrogen incorporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: 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