Patents by Inventor Stephen Whitten

Stephen Whitten 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).

  • Publication number: 20240266147
    Abstract: A dual ion filter is arranged between upper and lower chambers of a substrate processing system. The dual ion filter includes upper and lower filters. The upper filter includes a first plurality of through holes configured to filter ions from a plasma in the upper chamber. The lower filter includes a second plurality of through holes configured to control plasma uniformity in the lower chamber. A diameter of the first plurality of through holes of the upper filter is less than a diameter of the second plurality of through holes of the lower filter. A number of the first plurality of through holes of the upper filter is greater than a number of the second plurality of through holes of the lower filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Stratton BRAVO, Chih-Hsun HSU, Serge KOSCHE, Stephen WHITTEN, Shih-Chung KON, Mark KAWAGUCHI, Himanshu CHOKSHI, Dan ZHANG, Gnanamani AMBUROSE
  • Patent number: 11967486
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes an upper chamber and a gas delivery system to supply a gas mixture to the upper chamber. An RF generator generates plasma in the upper chamber. A lower chamber includes a substrate support. A dual ion filter is arranged between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The dual ion filter includes an upper filter including a first plurality of through holes configured to filter ions. A lower filter includes a second plurality of through holes configured to control plasma uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Stratton Bravo, Chih-Hsun Hsu, Serge Kosche, Stephen Whitten, Shih-Chung Kon, Mark Kawaguchi, Himanshu Chokshi, Dan Zhang, Gnanamani Amburose
  • Publication number: 20230298859
    Abstract: A showerhead for a processing chamber in a substrate processing system includes an upper portion having a lower surface and an upper surface and a faceplate. A lower surface of the faceplate is below the lower surface of the upper portion such that the showerhead extends into an interior volume of the processing chamber and the faceplate includes a plurality of holes arranged in a pattern to provide fluid communication between a remote plasma source above the showerhead and the interior volume of the processing chamber. A sidewall extends upward from an outer edge of the faceplate between the faceplate and the upper portion and the upper portion extends radially outward from the sidewall of the showerhead and is configured to be mounted on a sidewall of the processing chamber. A heater is embedded in the upper portion of the showerhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Stratton BRAVO, Pilyeon PARK, Serge KOSCHE, Julien Augustin MONBEIG, Mark KAWAGUCHI, Stephen WHITTEN, Shih-Chung KON
  • Publication number: 20220076924
    Abstract: A substrate processing system includes an upper chamber and a gas delivery system to supply a gas mixture to the upper chamber. An RF generator generates plasma in the upper chamber. A lower chamber includes a substrate support. A dual ion filter is arranged between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. The dual ion filter includes an upper filter including a first plurality of through holes configured to filter ions. A lower filter includes a second plurality of through holes configured to control plasma uniformity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Stratton BRAVO, Chih-Hsun HSU, Serge KOSCHE, Stephen WHITTEN, Shih-Chung KON, Mark KAWAGUCHI, Himanshu CHOKSHI, Dan ZHANG, Gnanamani AMBUROSE
  • Patent number: 8276604
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly is provided comprising a multi-component electrode and a peripherally engaging electrode carrier. The peripherally engaging electrode carrier comprises a carrier frame and a plurality of reciprocating electrode supports. The multi-component electrode is positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture of the carrier frame. The backing plate of the electrode comprises a plurality of mounting recesses formed about its periphery. The reciprocating electrode supports can be reciprocated into and out of the mounting recesses. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Patent number: 8221552
    Abstract: Methods of cleaning plasma processing chamber components include contacting surfaces of the components with a cleaning solution, while avoiding damage of other surfaces or areas of the components by the cleaning solution. An exemplary plasma processing chamber component to be cleaning is an elastomer bonded electrode assembly having a silicon member with a plasma-exposed silicon surface, a backing member, and an elastomer bonding material between the silicon surface and the backing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Outka, Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Stephen Whitten, Hong Shih, Yan Fang
  • Patent number: 8171877
    Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided comprising a backside mounted electrode carrier and electrode mounting hardware. The backside mounted electrode carrier comprises an electrode accommodating aperture, which in turn comprises a sidewall structure that is configured to limit lateral movement of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode accommodating aperture further comprises one or more sidewall projections that support the weight of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode mounting hardware is configured to engage an electrode positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture from the backside of the carrier and urge the electrode against the sidewall projections so as to limit axial movement of the electrode in the electrode accommodating aperture. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Publication number: 20120013242
    Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided comprising a backside mounted electrode carrier and electrode mounting hardware. The backside mounted electrode carrier comprises an electrode accommodating aperture, which in turn comprises a sidewall structure that is configured to limit lateral movement of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode accommodating aperture further comprises one or more sidewall projections that support the weight of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode mounting hardware is configured to engage an electrode positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture from the backside of the carrier and urge the electrode against the sidewall projections so as to limit axial movement of the electrode in the electrode accommodating aperture. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Patent number: 8075701
    Abstract: A process for reconditioning a multi-component electrode comprising a silicon electrode bonded to an electrically conductive backing plate is provided. The process comprises: (i) removing metal ions from the multi-component electrode by soaking the multi-component electrode in a substantially alcohol-free DSP solution comprising sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water and rinsing the multi-component electrode with de-ionized water; (ii) polishing one or more surfaces of the multi-component electrode following removal of metal ions there from; and (iii) removing contaminants from silicon surfaces of the multi-component electrode by treating the polished multi-component electrode with a mixed acid solution comprising hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, and water and by rinsing the treated multi-component electrode with de-ionized water. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Publication number: 20090325320
    Abstract: A process for reconditioning a multi-component electrode comprising a silicon electrode bonded to an electrically conductive backing plate is provided. The process comprises: (i) removing metal ions from the multi-component electrode by soaking the multi-component electrode in a substantially alcohol-free DSP solution comprising sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water and rinsing the multi-component electrode with de-ionized water; (ii) polishing one or more surfaces of the multi-component electrode following removal of metal ions there from; and (iii) removing contaminants from silicon surfaces of the multi-component electrode by treating the polished multi-component electrode with a mixed acid solution comprising hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, and water and by rinsing the treated multi-component electrode with de-ionized water. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Publication number: 20090322199
    Abstract: A carrier assembly is provided comprising a backside mounted electrode carrier and electrode mounting hardware. The backside mounted electrode carrier comprises an electrode accommodating aperture, which in turn comprises a sidewall structure that is configured to limit lateral movement of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode accommodating aperture further comprises one or more sidewall projections that support the weight of an electrode positioned in the aperture. The electrode mounting hardware is configured to engage an electrode positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture from the backside of the carrier and urge the electrode against the sidewall projections so as to limit axial movement of the electrode in the electrode accommodating aperture. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Publication number: 20090321018
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly is provided comprising a multi-component electrode and a peripherally engaging electrode carrier. The peripherally engaging electrode carrier comprises a carrier frame and a plurality of reciprocating electrode supports. The multi-component electrode is positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture of the carrier frame. The backing plate of the electrode comprises a plurality of mounting recesses formed about its periphery. The reciprocating electrode supports can be reciprocated into and out of the mounting recesses. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Yan Fang, Duane Outka, Hong Shih, Stephen Whitten
  • Publication number: 20080236618
    Abstract: Methods of cleaning plasma processing chamber components include contacting surfaces of the components with a cleaning solution, while avoiding damage of other surfaces or areas of the components by the cleaning solution. An exemplary plasma processing chamber component to be cleaning is an elastomer bonded electrode assembly having a silicon member with a plasma-exposed silicon surface, a backing member, and an elastomer bonding material between the silicon surface and the backing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Outka, Jason Augustino, Armen Avoyan, Stephen Whitten, Hong Shih, Yan Fang
  • Patent number: 7327253
    Abstract: An intruder detection and warning system has a plurality of infrared sensors for receiving infrared radiation from respective contiguous areas of premises in need of security. A central illumination unit including a rotatable light is operated to project a beam illuminating a selected one of the contiguous areas of the premises in response to the received infrared radiation by the infrared sensor in the selected area indicating presence of a person in the selected area. Initially a polite message randomly selected from a group of different polite messages is broadcast to request the intruder to leave the premises. When continued presence of the intruder is detected, the light beam is moved away from and then back to the selected area and a further message randomly selected from a group of different more demanding messages is broadcast to demand the intruder to leave the premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Squire Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Whitten, Richard Stockstill
  • Publication number: 20060250237
    Abstract: An intruder detection and warning system has a plurality of infrared sensors for receiving infrared radiation from respective contiguous areas of premises in need of security. A central illumination unit including a rotatable light is operated to project a beam illuminating a selected one of the contiguous areas of the premises in response to the received infrared radiation by the infrared sensor in the selected area indicating presence of a person in the selected area. Initially a polite message randomly selected from a group of different polite messages is broadcast to request the intruder to leave the premises. When continued presence of the intruder is detected, the light beam is moved away from and then back to the selected area and a further message randomly selected from a group of different more demanding messages is broadcast to demand the intruder to leave the premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Whitten, Richard Stockstill
  • Patent number: RE42495
    Abstract: An intruder detection and warning system has a plurality of infrared sensors for receiving infrared radiation from respective contiguous areas of premises in need of security. A central illumination unit including a rotatable light is operated to project a beam illuminating a selected one of the contiguous areas of the premises in response to the received infrared radiation by the infrared sensor in the selected area indicating presence of a person in the selected area. Initially a polite message randomly selected from a group of different polite messages is broadcast to request the intruder to leave the premises. When continued presence of the intruder is detected, the light beam is moved away from and then back to the selected area and a further message randomly selected from a group of different more demanding messages is broadcast to demand the intruder to leave the premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Communicated Enforcement, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Whitten, Richard Stockstill