Patents by Inventor Steven Lane

Steven Lane 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: 10790153
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for performing electron beam etching process. In one embodiment, a method of etching a substrate includes delivering a process gas to a process volume of a process chamber, applying a RF power to an electrode formed from a high secondary electron emission coefficient material disposed in the process volume, generating a plasma comprising ions in the process volume, bombarding the electrode with the ions to cause the electrode to emit electrons and form an electron beam, applying a negative DC power to the electrode, accelerating electrons emitted from the bombarded electrode toward a substrate disposed in the process chamber, and etching the substrate with the accelerated ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue Guo, Yang Yang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Gonzalo Monroy, Lucy Zhiping Chen
  • Patent number: 10784085
    Abstract: An external magnetic filter to trap electrons surrounds a reactor chamber and has multiple magnets arranged in a circle, the magnetic orientation of each individual magnet being rotated relative to the orientation of the adjacent individual magnet by a difference angle that is a function of the arc subtended by the individual magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Yang Yang, Lawrence Wong
  • Patent number: 10707086
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for performing electron beam reactive plasma etching (EBRPE). In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing EBRPE processes includes an electrode formed from a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In another embodiment, methods for etching a substrate include generating a plasma and bombarding an electrode with ions from the plasma to cause the electrode to emit electrons. The electrons are accelerated toward a substrate to induce etching of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Yang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Gonzalo Monroy, Lucy Zhiping Chen, Yue Guo
  • Patent number: 10544505
    Abstract: A method of performing deposition of diamond-like carbon on a workpiece in a chamber includes supporting the workpiece in the chamber facing an upper electrode suspended from a ceiling of the chamber, introducing a hydrocarbon gas into the chamber, and applying first RF power at a first frequency to the upper electrode that generates a plasma in the chamber and produces a deposition of diamond-like carbon on the workpiece. Applying the RF power generates an electron beam from the upper electrode toward the workpiece to enhance ionization of the hydrocarbon gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Yang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Steven Lane, Gonzalo Antonio Monroy, Lucy Chen, Yue Guo
  • Publication number: 20200029227
    Abstract: Techniques for establishing a establishing of a high-bandwidth data connection with an aircraft using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions are provided. In one example, a method comprises: determining a first line of sight that is unobstructed to an antenna of an aircraft, establishing a wireless data connection having a defined data transfer rate between the aircraft and the communication device using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions along the unobstructed line of sight, transferring a defined amount of data between the aircraft and the communication device using the wireless data connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Lane Misenheimer, Joseph Steffler
  • Publication number: 20200006036
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for performing electron beam etching process. In one embodiment, a method of etching a substrate includes delivering a process gas to a process volume of a process chamber, applying a RF power to an electrode formed from a high secondary electron emission coefficient material disposed in the process volume, generating a plasma comprising ions in the process volume, bombarding the electrode with the ions to cause the electrode to emit electrons and form an electron beam, applying a negative DC power to the electrode, accelerating electrons emitted from the bombarded electrode toward a substrate disposed in the process chamber, and etching the substrate with the accelerated ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yue GUO, Yang YANG, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Steven LANE, Gonzalo MONROY, Lucy Zhiping CHEN
  • Publication number: 20190393053
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for performing electron beam reactive plasma etching (EBRPE). In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing EBRPE processes includes an electrode formed from a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In another embodiment, an electrode is movably disposed within a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to a pedestal opposing the electrode. In another embodiment, a pedestal is movably disposed with a process volume of a process chamber and capable of being positioned at a non-parallel angle relative to an electrode opposing the pedestal. Electrons emitted from the electrode are accelerated toward a substrate disposed on the pedestal to induce etching of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Yang YANG, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Steven LANE, Gonzalo MONROY, Lucy Zhiping CHEN, Yue GUO
  • Patent number: 10455431
    Abstract: Techniques for establishing a establishing of a high-bandwidth data connection with an aircraft using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions are provided. In one example, a method comprises: determining a first line of sight that is unobstructed to an antenna of an aircraft, establishing a wireless data connection having a defined data transfer rate between the aircraft and the communication device using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions along the unobstructed line of sight, transferring a defined amount of data between the aircraft and the communication device using the wireless data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Steven Lane Misenheimer, Joseph Steffler
  • Patent number: 10395904
    Abstract: Plural sensors on an interior surface of a reactor chamber are linked by respective RF communication channels to a hub inside the reactor chamber, which in turn is linked to a process controller outside of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Wong, Kartik Ramaswamy, Yang Yang, Steven Lane, Richard Fovell
  • Publication number: 20190228970
    Abstract: Methods for forming a diamond like carbon layer with desired film density, mechanical strength and optical film properties are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a diamond like carbon layer includes generating an electron beam plasma above a surface of a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate. The diamond like carbon layer is formed by an electron beam plasma process, wherein the diamond like carbon layer serves as a hardmask layer in an etching process in semiconductor applications. The diamond like carbon layer may be formed by bombarding a carbon containing electrode disposed in a processing chamber to generate a secondary electron beam in a gas mixture containing carbon to a surface of a substrate disposed in the processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate from elements of the gas mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Yang YANG, Lucy CHEN, Jie ZHOU, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Srinivas D. NEMANI, Chentsau YING, Jingjing LIU, Steven LANE, Gonzalo MONROY, James D. CARDUCCI
  • Publication number: 20190221437
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for performing electron beam reactive plasma etching (EBRPE). In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing EBRPE processes includes an electrode formed from a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In another embodiment, methods for etching a substrate include generating a plasma and bombarding an electrode with ions from the plasma to cause the electrode to emit electrons. The electrons are accelerated toward a substrate to induce etching of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Yang YANG, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Steven LANE, Gonzalo MONROY, Lucy Zhiping CHEN, Yue GUO
  • Patent number: 10249495
    Abstract: Methods for forming a diamond like carbon layer with desired film density, mechanical strength and optical film properties are provided. In one embodiment, a method of forming a diamond like carbon layer includes generating an electron beam plasma above a surface of a substrate disposed in a processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate. The diamond like carbon layer is formed by an electron beam plasma process, wherein the diamond like carbon layer serves as a hardmask layer in an etching process in semiconductor applications. The diamond like carbon layer may be formed by bombarding a carbon containing electrode disposed in a processing chamber to generate a secondary electron beam in a gas mixture containing carbon to a surface of a substrate disposed in the processing chamber, and forming a diamond like carbon layer on the surface of the substrate from elements of the gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Yang, Lucy Chen, Jie Zhou, Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Srinivas D. Nemani, Chentsau Ying, Jingjing Liu, Steven Lane, Gonzalo Monroy, James D. Carducci
  • Patent number: 10249479
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to plasma process apparatus. In one embodiment, the plasma process apparatus includes a plasma source assembly. The plasma source assembly may include a first coil, a second coil surrounding the first coil, and a magnetic device disposed outside the first and inside the second coil. The magnet enables additional tuning which improves uniformity control of the processes on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Aubuchon, Tza-Jing Gung, Travis Lee Koh, Nattaworn Boss Nunta, Sheng-Chin Kung, Steven Lane, Kartik Ramaswamy, Yang Yang
  • Publication number: 20190096641
    Abstract: Plural sensors on an interior surface of a reactor chamber are linked by respective RF communication channels to a hub inside the reactor chamber, which in turn is linked to a process controller outside of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Lawrence Wong, Kartik Ramaswamy, Yang Yang, Steven Lane, Richard Fovell
  • Publication number: 20190057862
    Abstract: A method of forming a transparent carbon layer on a substrate is provided. The method comprises generating an electron beam plasma above a surface of a substrate positioned over a first electrode and disposed in a processing chamber having a second electrode positioned above the first electrode. The method further comprises flowing a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture into the processing chamber, wherein the second electrode has a surface containing a secondary electrode emission material selected from a silicon-containing material and a carbon-containing material. The method further comprises applying a first RF power to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode and forming a transparent carbon layer on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Yang YANG, Eswaranand VENKATASUBRAMANIAN, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Steven LANE, Gonzalo MONROY, Lucy Zhiping CHEN, Yue GUO
  • Patent number: 10170278
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for plasma processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inductively coupled plasma apparatus may include a bottom wall comprising a hub and a ring coupled to the hub by a capacitor, wherein the hub and the ring are each electrically conductive, and where the hub has a central opening aligned with a central axis of the inductively coupled plasma apparatus; a top wall spaced apart from and above the bottom wall, wherein the top wall has a central opening aligned with the central axis, and wherein the tope wall is electrically conductive; a sidewall electrically connecting the ring to the top wall; and a tube electrically connecting the hub to the top wall, the tube having a central opening aligned with the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Kartik Ramaswamy, Yang Yang, Steven Lane
  • Publication number: 20180366306
    Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a substrate support assembly which enables tuning of a plasma within a plasma chamber. In one embodiment, a method for tuning a plasma in a chamber is provided. The method includes providing a first radio frequency power and a direct current power to a first electrode in a substrate support assembly, providing a second radio frequency power to a second electrode in the substrate support assembly at a different location than the first electrode, monitoring parameters of the first and second radio frequency power, and adjusting one or both of the first and second radio frequency power based on the monitored parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Yang YANG, Kartik RAMASWAMY, Steven LANE, Lawrence WONG, Shahid RAUF, Andrew NGUYEN, Kenneth S. COLLINS, Roger Alan LINDLEY
  • Patent number: 10153139
    Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a substrate support assembly which enables tuning of a plasma within a plasma chamber. In one embodiment, a method for tuning a plasma in a chamber is provided. The method includes providing a first radio frequency power and a direct current power to a first electrode in a substrate support assembly, providing a second radio frequency power to a second electrode in the substrate support assembly at a different location than the first electrode, monitoring parameters of the first and second radio frequency power, and adjusting one or both of the first and second radio frequency power based on the monitored parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Yang, Kartik Ramaswamy, Steven Lane, Lawrence Wong, Shahid Rauf, Andrew Nguyen, Kenneth S. Collins, Roger Alan Lindley
  • Publication number: 20180343570
    Abstract: Techniques for establishing a establishing of a high-bandwidth data connection with an aircraft using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions are provided. In one example, a method comprises: determining a first line of sight that is unobstructed to an antenna of an aircraft, establishing a wireless data connection having a defined data transfer rate between the aircraft and the communication device using highly directional EM beam shaped transmissions along the unobstructed line of sight, transferring a defined amount of data between the aircraft and the communication device using the wireless data connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Lane Misenheimer, Joseph Steffler
  • Patent number: 10141166
    Abstract: Plural sensors on an interior surface of a reactor chamber are linked by respective RF communication channels to a hub inside the reactor chamber, which in turn is linked to a process controller outside of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Wong, Kartik Ramaswamy, Yang Yang, Steven Lane, Richard Fovell