Patents by Inventor Shuran Sheng

Shuran Sheng 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: 12013291
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods of monitoring temperatures of fluid delivery conduits for delivering fluids to, and other components external to, a processing volume of a processing chamber used in electronic device fabrication manufacturing, and monitoring systems related thereto. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at the temperature monitoring system (TMS) controller, information from a first plurality of temperature sensors and a second plurality of temperature sensors, comparing, using the TMS controller, the temperature information to one or more pre-determined control limits, and communicating, using the TMS controller, an out-of-control event to a user. Generally, the temperature monitoring system features the first and second pluralities of temperature sensors, the TMS controller, a first connection module, and a second connection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Patent number: 11866821
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an apparatus and a method for cleaning a processing chamber. In one embodiment, a substrate support cover includes a bulk member coated with a fluoride coating. The substrate support cover is placed on a substrate support disposed in the processing chamber during a cleaning process. The fluoride coating does not react with the cleaning species. The substrate support cover protects the substrate support from reacting with the cleaning species, leading to reduced condensation formed on chamber components, which in turn leads to reduced contamination of the substrate in subsequent processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Jiyong Huang, Joseph C. Werner, Stanley Wu, Mahesh Adinath Kanawade, Yikai Chen, Yixing Lin, Ying Ma
  • Patent number: 11846011
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support positioned within a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a lid plate. The chamber may include a gasbox positioned between the lid plate and the substrate support. The gasbox may be characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The gasbox may define a central aperture. The gasbox may define an annular channel in the first surface of the gasbox extending about the central aperture through the gasbox. The gasbox may include an annular cover extending across the annular channel defined in the first surface of the gasbox. The chamber may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The chamber may include a ferrite block positioned between the lid plate and the blocker plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Patent number: 11837448
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a method and apparatus for cleaning and repairing a substrate support having a heater disposed therein. A method includes (a) cleaning a surface of a substrate support having a bulk layer, the substrate support is disposed in a processing environment configured to process substrates. The cleaning process includes forming a plasma at a high temperature from a cleaning gas mixture having a fluorine containing gas and oxygen. The method includes (b) removing oxygen radicals from the processing environment with a treatment plasma formed from a treatment gas mixture. The treatment gas mixture includes the fluorine containing gas. The method further includes (c) repairing an interface of the substrate support and the bulk layer with a post-treatment plasma. The post-treatment plasma is formed from a post-treatment gas mixture including a nitrogen containing gas. The high temperature is greater than or equal to about 500 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Jiyong Huang, Jang Seok Oh, Joseph C. Werner, Nitin Khurana, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Jennifer Y. Sun, Xinhai Han, Zhijun Jiang
  • Publication number: 20230378006
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring wafer processing results continuously and in real-time. In some embodiments, a system may comprise at least one non-active chamber with at least one feedthrough access port which is configured to interact with a metrology apparatus. The feedthrough access port has a surface exposed to an inner volume of the non-active chamber and has a fluorine-based coating covering the surface. The non-active chamber has a wafer access port to one or more other chambers. The metrology apparatus is positioned external to the non-active chamber and is oriented to detect metrology data through one of the feedthrough access ports. A data collection apparatus is connected to the metrology apparatus and configured to continuously receive data from the metrology apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Eric HOLLAR, Sock Hoon LIM, Yu YANG, Ralph P. ANTONIO, Gu LIU
  • Patent number: 11768984
    Abstract: A method includes receiving measurement data from multiple sensors positioned along a delivery line that delivers a liquid as a gas to one of a gas panel or a processing chamber; simulating, using a computer-generated model, one or more process parameters associated with the delivery line and a plurality of heater jackets positioned around the delivery line; comparing the measurement data with values of the one or more process parameters; and determining, based on at least a threshold deviation between the measurement data and the values of the one or more process parameters, that a fault exists that is associated with maintaining temperature within the delivery line consistent with a gaseous state of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ala Moradian, James Omer L'Heureux, Shuran Sheng, Rohit Mahakali, Karthik Ramanathan, Lin Zhang, Umesh Madhav Kelkar, Gopalakrishna B. Prabhu, Zheng Yuan, Jeonghoon Oh
  • Publication number: 20230049431
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support positioned within a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a lid plate. The chamber may include a gasbox positioned between the lid plate and the substrate support. The gasbox may be characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The gasbox may define a central aperture. The gasbox may define an annular channel in the first surface of the gasbox extending about the central aperture through the gasbox. The gasbox may include an annular cover extending across the annular channel defined in the first surface of the gasbox. The chamber may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The chamber may include a ferrite block positioned between the lid plate and the blocker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Patent number: 11532464
    Abstract: An apparatus for plasma processing of substrates is disclosed. A plasma processing chamber is provided which includes a chamber body and a lid. The lid includes a faceplate coupled to a backing plate. The faceplate and the backing plate are disposed within a processing volume defined by the chamber body and the lid. One or more ferrite blocks are coupled to the backing plate to modulate an electromagnetic field created by an RF current from an RF generator. A gas feed assembly including a gas source, a remote plasma source, and a zero field feed through are coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the processing volume through the backing plate and faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Shinobu Abe, Keita Kuwahara, Chang Hee Shin, Su Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 11499231
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support positioned within a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a lid plate. The chamber may include a gasbox positioned between the lid plate and the substrate support. The gasbox may be characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The gasbox may define a central aperture. The gasbox may define an annular channel in the first surface of the gasbox extending about the central aperture through the gasbox. The gasbox may include an annular cover extending across the annular channel defined in the first surface of the gasbox. The chamber may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The chamber may include a ferrite block positioned between the lid plate and the blocker plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Publication number: 20220344135
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a method and apparatus for cleaning and repairing a substrate support having a heater disposed therein. A method includes (a) cleaning a surface of a substrate support having a bulk layer, the substrate support is disposed in a processing environment configured to process substrates. The cleaning process includes forming a plasma at a high temperature from a cleaning gas mixture having a fluorine containing gas and oxygen. The method includes (b) removing oxygen radicals from the processing environment with a treatment plasma formed from a treatment gas mixture. The treatment gas mixture includes the fluorine containing gas. The method further includes (c) repairing an interface of the substrate support and the bulk layer with a post-treatment plasma. The post-treatment plasma is formed from a post-treatment gas mixture including a nitrogen containing gas. The high temperature is greater than or equal to about 500 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Lin ZHANG, Jiyong HUANG, Jang Seok OH, Joseph C. WERNER, Nitin KHURANA, Ganesh BALASUBRAMANIAN, Jennifer Y. SUN, Xinhai HAN, Zhijun JIANG
  • Publication number: 20220113198
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide methods of monitoring temperatures of fluid delivery conduits for delivering fluids to, and other components external to, a processing volume of a processing chamber used in electronic device fabrication manufacturing, and monitoring systems related thereto. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at the temperature monitoring system (TMS) controller, information from a first plurality of temperature sensors and a second plurality of temperature sensors, comparing, using the TMS controller, the temperature information to one or more pre-determined control limits, and communicating, using the TMS controller, an out-of-control event to a user. Generally, the temperature monitoring system features the first and second pluralities of temperature sensors, the TMS controller, a first connection module, and a second connection module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Lin ZHANG, Joseph C. WERNER
  • Publication number: 20220092241
    Abstract: A method includes receiving measurement data from multiple sensors positioned along a delivery line that delivers a liquid as a gas to one of a gas panel or a processing chamber; simulating, using a computer-generated model, one or more process parameters associated with the delivery line and a plurality of heater jackets positioned around the delivery line; comparing the measurement data with values of the one or more process parameters; and determining, based on at least a threshold deviation between the measurement data and the values of the one or more process parameters, that a fault exists that is associated with maintaining temperature within the delivery line consistent with a gaseous state of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ala Moradian, James Omer L'Heureux, Shuran Sheng, Rohit Mahakali, Karthik Ramanathan, Lin Zhang, Umesh Madhav Kelkar, Gopalakrishna B. Prabhu, Zheng Yuan, Jeonghoon Oh
  • Patent number: 11215934
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting ultraviolet light are provided herein. For example, an ultraviolet (UV) process chamber includes a vacuum window or a transparent showerhead; a UV light source disposed above one of the vacuum window or the transparent showerhead and configured to generate and transmit UV light into a process volume of the UV process chamber; and a first UV sensor configured to measure at least one of emissivity from the UV light source or irradiance of the UV light transmitted into the process volume and to transmit a signal corresponding to a measured at least one of emissivity from the UV light source or irradiance of the UV light to a controller coupled to the UV process chamber during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Antonio, Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Publication number: 20210317578
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a substrate support positioned within a processing region of the semiconductor processing chamber. The chamber may include a lid plate. The chamber may include a gasbox positioned between the lid plate and the substrate support. The gasbox may be characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The gasbox may define a central aperture. The gasbox may define an annular channel in the first surface of the gasbox extending about the central aperture through the gasbox. The gasbox may include an annular cover extending across the annular channel defined in the first surface of the gasbox. The chamber may include a blocker plate positioned between the gasbox and the substrate support. The chamber may include a ferrite block positioned between the lid plate and the blocker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Publication number: 20210280389
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a plasma processing system for modifying the uniformity pattern of a thin film deposited in a plasma processing chamber which includes at least one VHF power generator coupled to a diffuser within the plasma processing chamber. The feeding location offset of each VHF power generator and the controlling of each VHF power generator via phase modulation and sweeping allows for plasma uniformity improvements by compensating for the non-uniformity of the thin film patterns produced by the chamber, due to the standing wave effect. The power distribution between the multiple VHF power generators coupled to and/or disposed at different locations on the backing plate may be produced by dynamic phase modulation between the VHF power applied at the different coupling points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Shinobu ABE, Keita KUWAHARA, Su Ho CHO
  • Patent number: 11094647
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a backside coating on a substrate to counteract stresses from a previously deposited film is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for flattening a bowed substrate includes providing a substrate having a film stack formed on a first major surface thereof, wherein the substrate comprises a bowed orientation, and forming a coating a second major surface of the substrate, wherein the coating is configured to counter stresses produced by the film stack and flattens the substrate from the bowed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shuran Sheng, Lin Zhang, Joseph C. Werner
  • Publication number: 20210223707
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting ultraviolet light are provided herein. For example, an ultraviolet (UV) process chamber includes a vacuum window or a transparent showerhead; a UV light source disposed above one of the vacuum window or the transparent showerhead and configured to generate and transmit UV light into a process volume of the UV process chamber; and a first UV sensor configured to measure at least one of emissivity from the UV light source or irradiance of the UV light transmitted into the process volume and to transmit a signal corresponding to a measured at least one of emissivity from the UV light source or irradiance of the UV light to a controller coupled to the UV process chamber during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: RALPH PETER ANTONIO, SHURAN SHENG, LIN ZHANG, JOSEPH C. WERNER
  • Publication number: 20200370174
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an apparatus and a method for cleaning a processing chamber. In one embodiment, a substrate support cover includes a bulk member coated with a fluoride coating. The substrate support cover is placed on a substrate support disposed in the processing chamber during a cleaning process. The fluoride coating does not react with the cleaning species. The substrate support cover protects the substrate support from reacting with the cleaning species, leading to reduced condensation formed on chamber components, which in turn leads to reduced contamination of the substrate in subsequent processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Lin ZHANG, Jiyong HUANG, Joseph C. WERNER, Stanley WU, Mahesh Adinath KANAWADE, Yikai CHEN, Yixing LIN, Ying MA
  • Publication number: 20200098702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a backside coating on a substrate to counteract stresses from a previously deposited film is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for flattening a bowed substrate includes providing a substrate having a film stack formed on a first major surface thereof, wherein the substrate comprises a bowed orientation, and forming a coating a second major surface of the substrate, wherein the coating is configured to counter stresses produced by the film stack and flattens the substrate from the bowed orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Shuran SHENG, Lin ZHANG, Joseph C. WERNER
  • Patent number: 10453728
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a chamber is provided that includes a chamber body and a lid defining an interior volume, a frame within the interior volume, the frame sized to receive a plurality of substrates in a first orientation, and a rotational drive assembly coupled to the frame for rotating the frame and flipping each of the plurality of substrates to a second orientation that is different than the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kyung-Tae Kim, Su Ho Cho, Tsunehiko Kitamura, Shinobu Abe, Shuran Sheng