Patents by Inventor Taro Ikeda

Taro Ikeda 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: 20230386791
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma processing apparatus including a chamber and a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure is configured to propagate electromagnetic waves, which are VHF waves or UHF waves, in order to generate plasma within the chamber. The waveguide structure includes a resonator for electromagnetic waves. The resonator includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a load impedance portion. The first waveguide has a first characteristic impedance. The second waveguide has a second characteristic impedance. The second waveguide is terminated at a short-circuit end having a ground potential. The load impedance portion is connected between the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The second characteristic impedance is greater than the first characteristic impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Satoru KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20230343561
    Abstract: There is provided a plasma processing apparatus that converts a gas supplied into a processing container into a plasma to process a substrate, the plasma processing apparatus including: a microwave introduction window disposed in each of a plurality of openings formed in a ceiling wall of the processing container, the microwave introduction window being configured to supply power of microwaves into the processing container; and a plurality of grooves formed on the ceiling wall to surround the openings respectively, wherein widths between the grooves and the openings are not uniform with respect to circumferential directions of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Satoshi ITOH, Masashi IMANAKA, Eiki KAMATA, Taro IKEDA, Shigenori OZAKI, Soudai EMORI
  • Publication number: 20230335876
    Abstract: There is provided a tuner that forms a part of an electromagnetic wave transmission path for supplying electromagnetic waves from a power supply to a load, and that matches an impedance on a power supply side and an impedance on a load side, comprising: a coaxial line including a cylindrical inner conductor and a cylindrical outer conductor disposed coaxially outside the inner conductor; an annular first dielectric constant changing material disposed in a space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial line, and having a variable dielectric constant; an annular second dielectric constant changing material spaced apart from the first dielectric constant changing material in a line length direction of the coaxial line, disposed in the space between the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial line, and having a variable dielectric constant; a first power supply portion configured to supply power to the first dielectric constant changing material; and a second power supply
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Eiki KAMATA
  • Publication number: 20230326716
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a chamber having a processing space for performing plasma processing on a substrate and a synthesis space for synthesizing electromagnetic waves, a dielectric window configured to partition the processing space and the synthesis space, an antenna unit having a plurality of antennas that radiate the electromagnetic waves into the synthesis space and functioning as a phased array antenna, an electromagnetic wave output part configured to output the electromagnetic waves to the antenna unit, and a controller configured to cause the antenna unit to function as the phased array antenna. The dielectric window has a plurality of recesses on a surface thereof facing the processing space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Eiki KAMATA, Hiroshi KANEKO, Taro IKEDA
  • Patent number: 11784085
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a stage provided in a chamber and having a heater therein, the stage being configured to place a substrate thereon, and an annular member provided around the stage to be spaced apart therefrom and formed of a dielectric material. At least one annular groove is formed in a lower surface of the annular member in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Taro Ikeda, Eiki Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230295797
    Abstract: A film forming method forms a film on a substrate by plasma in a processing container including a stage configured to hold the substrate thereon, wherein the film forming method includes: (a) a step of supplying a raw material gas and a reaction gas as a processing gas to the processing container; and (b) a step of generating plasma of the processing gas using a radio-frequency power of 100 MHz or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Nobuo MATSUKI, Yoshinori MORISADA, Takayuki KOMIYA, Satoru KAWAKAMI, Taro IKEDA, Toshihiko IWAO
  • Publication number: 20230260750
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container; a stage in the processing container; an upper electrode provided to face a placement surface of the stage; and an exhaust duct provide to define a processing space inside the processing container together with the placement surface and the upper electrode, wherein a radial cross-section of an outer wall of the exhaust duct facing the processing space is an L-shape, the exhaust duct includes an exhaust hole communicating with an internal exhaust path, and the exhaust hole is configured such that, with respect to first and second lengths of two sides of the L-shape, a distance from a corner portion of the L-shape to the exhaust hole is equal to or less than each of the first and second lengths, the first length is 7 mm or more, and the second length is equal to or greater than the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventor: Taro IKEDA
  • Patent number: 11721528
    Abstract: There is provided a plasma processing apparatus including: a processing container; a first electrode provided inside the processing container and connected to a high-frequency power supply; a second electrode provided inside the processing container to face the first electrode, the second electrode being grounded; and a film thickness calculator connected to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode and configured to calculate a thickness of a film deposited on the at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Taro Ikeda, Mikio Sato, Eiki Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230245870
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a substrate holder configured to place a plurality of substrates in a multi-stage structure in a height direction on the substrate holder; and a processing container in which the substrate holder is accommodated and including a heating part that heats the plurality of substrates, wherein the substrate holder is provided with a plurality of stages made of a dielectric material, and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer embedded in the plurality of stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Hiroyuki MATSUURA, Satoru KAWAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20230238219
    Abstract: This plasma processing apparatus for performing plasma processing on an end part of a substrate includes a processing container, a substrate supporting member configured to support a portion of the substrate and to which a high frequency power is applied, at least a side of the substrate supporting member being composed of a dielectric, an opposing dielectric member composed of a dielectric and disposed to oppose the substrate supporting member, and a gas supply configured to supply a processing gas for generating plasma on at least the end part of the substrate. The plasma processing apparatus further includes a side ground electrode provided at a side of the substrate so as to be close to the substrate to such an extent that an electrical coupling is formed between an end surface of the substrate and the side ground electrode, the side ground electrode having a ground potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Eiki KAMATA, Taro IKEDA, Satoru KAWAKAMI, Takumi KABE
  • Publication number: 20230238217
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container; a ceiling plate that constitutes a ceiling wall of the processing container, is formed of a first dielectric, and has an opening formed in the first dielectric; at least one transmissive window disposed in the opening and formed of a second dielectric having a second permittivity greater than a first permittivity of the first dielectric; and at least one electromagnetic wave supplier configured to supply electromagnetic waves toward the at least one transmissive window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Koji KOTANI, Eiki KAMATA, Taro IKEDA
  • Patent number: 11705310
    Abstract: A plasma probe device includes: an antenna installed in an opening portion formed in a wall of a processing container via a seal member that seals between a vacuum space and an atmospheric space; and a light transmission portion installed inside the antenna or forming at least a portion of the antenna, and configured to transmit emission of plasma generated in the vacuum space to the atmospheric space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Taro Ikeda, Mikio Sato, Eiki Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230178339
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing container including an opening provided in a ceiling wall of the processing container, and a microwave radiation source. The microwave radiation source includes a slot antenna including a slot and configured to radiate microwaves from the slot, and a transmission window configured to close the opening and to radiate the microwaves from the slot into the processing container. The transmission window includes a first surface including a skirt which suspends to cover a side wall of the opening, and a second surface which is an opposite surface to the first surface and faces the slot antenna with a gap between the slot antenna and the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Kenta KATO, Taro IKEDA, Isao GUNJI
  • Publication number: 20230106303
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a chamber; a stage provided in the chamber; a microwave transmission window provided on a wall surface of the chamber; a microwave supply configured to supply microwaves into the chamber via the microwave transmission window; a shower plate configured to partition an interior of the chamber into a plasma generation space, which is a region where the microwave transmission window is disposed, and a processing space, which is a region where the stage is disposed; and a protrusion protruding from the shower plate into the plasma generation space and including a conductor in at least a portion of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Haruhiko FURUYA
  • Publication number: 20230081103
    Abstract: A plasma source comprising: a plasma generator including a first wall having an opening and a second wall facing the first wall, and forming a plasma generating space; a dielectric window disposed on the first wall to block the opening and configured to transmit electromagnetic waves to the plasma generating space; and a protruding portion disposed on the second wall, protruding from the second wall to be close to the dielectric window, and containing a conductor at least partially. The protruding portion has a gas hole that opens toward the dielectric window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kenta KATO, Taro IKEDA
  • Patent number: 11600475
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a main container, one or more radio frequency antennas, a plurality of metal windows, and a plasma detector. The one or more radio frequency antennas are configured to generate inductively coupled plasma in a plasma generation region in the main container. The metal windows are disposed between the plasma generation region and the radio frequency antennas while being insulated from each other and from the main container. Further, a plasma detector is connected to each of the metal windows and configured to detect a plasma state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Taro Ikeda, Mikio Sato, Eiki Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230064817
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus, which introduces electromagnetic waves having a frequency of the VHF band or higher into a processing container and processes a substrate by using plasma generated from a gas, includes: a stage which is provided inside the processing container and on which the substrate is placed; an electromagnetic wave introducer formed to face an inner wall of the processing container and configured to introduce the electromagnetic waves into the processing container; and a dielectric member provided on the inner wall through which the electromagnetic waves propagate, wherein a first portion of the dielectric member protrudes from the inner wall toward the stage, and wherein a second portion of the dielectric member is inserted into a recess or step portion of the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Toshifumi KITAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230066120
    Abstract: Measuring a plasma state using a probe device in the case of performing plasma processing on a substrate by introducing process gas into a processing container accommodating the substrate and by producing pulsed plasma using an electromagnetic wave pulse obtained by processing an electromagnetic wave generated from an electromagnetic wave oscillator using a pulsing device. An AC voltage to the pulsed plasma is applied via the probe device; transmitting a signal from the pulsed plasma based on the AC voltage via the probe device and measuring data including a current value; and obtaining a state of the pulsed plasma by analyzing the measured data. The frequency of the AC voltage deviates from a frequency of the electromagnetic wave pulse so that the number of data required for the measurement of the pulsed plasma within one cycle of the electromagnetic wave pulse is obtained within allowable time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Eiki KAMATA, Mikio SATO, Taro IKEDA, Mitsutoshi ASHIDA
  • Publication number: 20230054452
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes: a processing container that accommodates a substrate holder that holds a plurality of substrates in a shelf shape; a gas supply that supplies a processing gas into the processing container; and a microwave introducer that generates a plasma from the processing gas. The microwave introducer includes: a rectangular waveguide provided along a length direction of the processing container and including a plurality of slots that radiates microwaves; and a phase controller that is provided at an end of the rectangular waveguide and controls a phase of the microwaves propagating in the rectangular waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Satoru KAWAKAMI, Hiroyuki MIYASHITA
  • Publication number: 20230031447
    Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container including a substrate support; a shower head that supplies active species of a first gas into the processing container; a first dissociation space through which the active species is supplied to the shower head; and a resonator that supplies electromagnetic waves in a VHF band or higher to the first dissociation space. The resonator includes: a cylindrical body; a gas pipe which passes through an interior of the cylindrical body, is provided along a central axis direction of the cylindrical body, and includes gas holes through which the first gas is supplied into the first dissociation space; and a dielectric window including a central portion through which the end portion of the gas pipe passes, and configured to seal a space between the gas pipe and the cylindrical body and cause the electromagnetic waves to transmit through the first dissociation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Satoru KAWAKAMI, Kenta KATO