Patents by Inventor Shigeru Shirayone

Shigeru Shirayone 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: 12112925
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing chamber; a radio frequency power source; a sample stage on which a sample is mounted; an electrode which is arranged inside the sample stage and electrostatically chucks the sample; a DC power source which applies a DC voltage to the electrode; and a control device which controls an output voltage of the DC power source so that an electric potential difference between an electric potential of the sample and an electric potential of an inner wall of the plasma processing chamber is reduced to an electric potential difference within a predetermined range during interruption of plasma discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 11664233
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Tomoyuki Tamura, Kazuyuki Ikenaga
  • Publication number: 20220359172
    Abstract: Provided is a plasma processing apparatus capable of obtaining desired etch profiles and preventing the degradation of yield rates due to the adhesion of particles, and equipped with a processing chamber in which a sample is plasma-treated; a radio-frequency power source for supplying radio-frequency power used to generate plasma; a sample stage which is provided with electrodes for electrostatically adsorbing the sample and on which the sample is mounted; and a DC power supply for applying DC voltages to the electrodes, the apparatus being further equipped with a control apparatus for controlling the DC power supply so as to apply such DC voltages as to decrease the absolute value of the potential of the sample in the absence of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone
  • Patent number: 11424108
    Abstract: Provided is a plasma processing apparatus capable of obtaining desired etch profiles and preventing the degradation of yield rates due to the adhesion of particles, and equipped with a processing chamber in which a sample is plasma-treated; a radio-frequency power source for supplying radio-frequency power used to generate plasma; a sample stage which is provided with electrodes for electrostatically adsorbing the sample and on which the sample is mounted; and a DC power supply for applying DC voltages to the electrodes, the apparatus being further equipped with a control apparatus for controlling the DC power supply so as to apply such DC voltages as to decrease the absolute value of the potential of the sample in the absence of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone
  • Publication number: 20220139678
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing chamber; a radio frequency power source; a sample stage on which a sample is mounted; an electrode which is arranged inside the sample stage and electrostatically chucks the sample; a DC power source which applies a DC voltage to the electrode; and a control device which controls an output voltage of the DC power source so that an electric potential difference between an electric potential of the sample and an electric potential of an inner wall of the plasma processing chamber is reduced to an electric potential difference within a predetermined range during interruption of plasma discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 11315792
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 11257661
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a plasma processing chamber; a radio frequency power source; a sample stage on which a sample is mounted; an electrode which is arranged inside the sample stage and electrostatically chucks the sample; a DC power source which applies a DC voltage to the electrode; and a control device which controls an output voltage of the DC power source so that an electric potential difference between an electric potential of the sample and an electric potential of an inner wall of the plasma processing chamber is reduced to an electric potential difference within a predetermined range during interruption of plasma discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20210358758
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Tomoyuki TAMURA, Kazuyuki IKENAGA
  • Patent number: 11107694
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Tomoyuki Tamura, Kazuyuki Ikenaga
  • Publication number: 20200058511
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Tomoyuki TAMURA, Kazuyuki IKENAGA
  • Patent number: 10490412
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Tomoyuki Tamura, Kazuyuki Ikenaga
  • Publication number: 20190333772
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Kazuyuki IKENAGA, Tomoyuki TAMURA
  • Patent number: 10395935
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20180190502
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Kazuyuki IKENAGA, Tomoyuki TAMURA
  • Patent number: 9941133
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Ishiguro, Masahiro Sumiya, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Tomoyuki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20170194157
    Abstract: A sample releasing method for releasing a sample subjected to plasma processing from a sample stage on which the sample is electrostatically attracted by applying DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck electrode, and the method includes: moving the sample subjected to the plasma processing upward above the sample stage; and after moving the sample, controlling the DC voltage such that an electric potential of the sample is to be smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Tomoyuki TAMURA, Kazuyuki IKENAGA
  • Patent number: 9607874
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a stage in a processing chamber where plasma is formed, a wafer to be processed, and an electrode arranged at an upper part of the stage and supplied with power to electrostatically attract and hold the wafer on the stage, and consecutively processing a plurality of wafers one by one. There are plural processing steps of conducting processing using the plasma under different conditions and there are plural periods when formation of plasma is stopped between the processing steps. An inner wall of the processing chamber is coated before starting the processing of any wafer, and voltage supplied to the electrode is changed according to a balance of respective polarities of particles floating and charged in the processing chamber in each period when formation of plasma is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Tamura, Masaki Ishiguro, Shigeru Shirayone, Kazuyuki Ikenaga, Makoto Nawata
  • Publication number: 20160336185
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber processing a sample using plasma, a radio frequency power supply supplying radio frequency power for generating the plasma, a sample stage including an electrode electrostatically chucking the sample, mounting the sample thereon, a DC power supply applying DC voltage to the electrode, and a control device shifting the DC voltage previously set, in a negative direction by a first shift amount during discharge of the plasma, shifting the DC voltage having been shifted in the negative direction by the first shift amount, in a positive direction by a second shift amount after the discharge of the plasma. The first shift amount has a value changing potential over a surface of the sample to 0 V, upon shifting the DC voltage in the positive direction. The second shift amount has a value obtained based on a floating potential of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Kazuyuki IKENAGA, Tomoyuki TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160172161
    Abstract: Provided is a plasma processing apparatus capable of obtaining desired etch profiles and preventing the degradation of yield rates due to the adhesion of particles, and equipped with a processing chamber in which a sample is plasma-treated; a radio-frequency power source for supplying radio-frequency power used to generate plasma; a sample stage which is provided with electrodes for electrostatically adsorbing the sample and on which the sample is mounted; and a DC power supply for applying DC voltages to the electrodes, the apparatus being further equipped with a control apparatus for controlling the DC power supply so as to apply such DC voltages as to decrease the absolute value of the potential of the sample in the absence of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuyuki IKENAGA, Masaki ISHIGURO, Masahiro SUMIYA, Shigeru SHIRAYONE
  • Publication number: 20160079043
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a stage in a processing chamber where plasma is formed, a wafer to be processed, and an electrode arranged at an upper part of the stage and supplied with power to electrostatically attract and hold the wafer on the stage, and consecutively processing a plurality of wafers one by one. There are plural processing steps of conducting processing using the plasma under different conditions and there are plural periods when formation of plasma is stopped between the processing steps. An inner wall of the processing chamber is coated before starting the processing of any wafer, and voltage supplied to the electrode is changed according to a balance of respective polarities of particles floating and charged in the processing chamber in each period when formation of plasma is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KOBAYASHI, Tomoyuki TAMURA, Masaki ISHIGURO, Shigeru SHIRAYONE, Kazuyuki IKENAGA, Makoto NAWATA