Patents by Inventor Thai-Cheng Chua

Thai-Cheng Chua 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: 11404248
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular microwave source. In an embodiment, the modular microwave source comprises a voltage control circuit, a voltage controlled oscillator, where an output voltage from the voltage control circuit drives oscillation in the voltage controlled oscillator. The modular microwave source may also include a solid state microwave amplification module coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, the solid state microwave amplification module amplifies an output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The modular microwave source may also include an applicator coupled to the solid state microwave amplification module, where the applicator is a dielectric resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Patent number: 11393661
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a processing tool that comprises a processing chamber, a chuck for supporting a substrate in the processing chamber, a dielectric window forming a portion of the processing chamber, and a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source comprises a plurality of high-frequency emission modules. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module comprises, an oscillator module, amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, the applicator is positioned proximate to the dielectric window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanh Nguyen, Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 11217443
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include methods of forming high quality silicon nitride films. In an embodiment, a method of depositing a film on a substrate may comprise forming a silicon nitride film over a surface of the substrate in a first processing volume with a deposition process, and treating the silicon nitride film in a second processing volume, wherein treating the silicon nitride film comprises exposing the film to a plasma induced by a modular high-frequency plasma source. In an embodiment, a sheath potential of the plasma is less than 100 V, and a power density of the high-frequency plasma source is approximately 5 W/cm2 or greater, approximately 10 W/cm2 or greater, or approximately 20 W/cm2 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinayak Veer Vats, Hang Yu, Philip Allan Kraus, Sanjay G. Kamath, William John Durand, Lakmal Charidu Kalutarage, Abhijit B. Mallick, Changling Li, Deenesh Padhi, Mark Joseph Saly, Thai Cheng Chua, Mihaela A. Balseanu
  • Publication number: 20210391156
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a cleaning module for the exhaust line of a chamber. In an embodiment, a mobile cleaning module comprises a chamber where the chamber comprises a first opening and a second opening. In an embodiment, the cleaning module further comprises a lid to seal the first opening. In an embodiment, the lid comprises a dielectric plate, a dielectric resonator coupled to the dielectric plate, a monopole antenna positioned in a hole into the dielectric resonator, and a conductive layer surrounding the dielectric resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kelvin Chan, Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Hanh Nguyen, Anantha Subramani
  • Publication number: 20210327685
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source includes a plurality of high-frequency emission modules, where each high-frequency emission module comprises and oscillator module, an amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment the oscillator module comprises a voltage control circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module includes a different oscillator module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Thai Cheng Chua, Christian Amormino, Hanh Nguyen, Kallol Bera, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210313213
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for biasing regions of a substrate in a plasma-assisted processing chamber are provided. Biasing of the substrate, or regions thereof, increases the potential difference between the substrate and a plasma formed in the processing chamber thereby accelerating ions from the plasma towards the active surfaces of the substrate regions. A plurality of bias electrodes herein are spatially arranged across the substrate support in a pattern that is advantageous for managing uniformity of processing results across the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan KRAUS, Thai Cheng CHUA, Jaeyong CHO
  • Publication number: 20210313153
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a source for a processing tool. In an embodiment, the source comprises a dielectric plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a cavity into the first surface of the dielectric plate. In an embodiment, the cavity comprises a third surface that is between the first surface and the second surface. In an embodiment, the source further comprises a dielectric resonator extending away from the third surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph F. AuBuchon, James Carducci, Larry D. Elizaga, Richard C. Fovell, Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Publication number: 20210287882
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatuses that include a plasma processing tool that includes a plurality of magnets. In one embodiment, a plasma processing tool may comprise a processing chamber and a plurality of modular microwave sources coupled to the processing chamber. In an embodiment, the plurality of modular microwave sources includes an array of applicators positioned over a dielectric plate that forms a portion of an outer wall of the processing chamber, and an array of microwave amplification modules. In an embodiment, each microwave amplification module is coupled to one or more of the applicators in the array of applicators. In an embodiment, the plasma processing tool may include a plurality of magnets. In an embodiment, the magnets are positioned around one or more of the applicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Mani Subramani
  • Patent number: 11114282
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a modular high-frequency emission source comprising a plurality of high-frequency emission modules and a phase controller. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module comprises an oscillator module, an amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment, each oscillator module comprises a voltage control circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, each amplification module is coupled to an oscillator module, in an embodiment, each applicator is coupled to an amplification module. In an embodiment, the phase controller is communicatively coupled to each oscillator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Christian Amormino, Dmitry A. Dzilno
  • Patent number: 11081317
    Abstract: Embodiments include a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source includes a plurality of high-frequency emission modules, where each high-frequency emission module comprises an oscillator module, an amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment the oscillator module comprises a voltage control circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module includes a different oscillator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Thai Cheng Chua, Christian Amormino, Hanh Nguyen, Kallol Bera, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 11049694
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a source for a processing tool. In an embodiment, the source comprises a dielectric plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a cavity into the first surface of the dielectric plate. In an embodiment, the cavity comprises a third surface that is between the first surface and the second surface. In an embodiment, the source further comprises a dielectric resonator extending away from the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. AuBuchon, James Carducci, Larry D. Elizaga, Richard C. Fovell, Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Publication number: 20210183681
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for biasing regions of a substrate in a plasma assisted processing chamber are provided. Biasing of the substrate, or regions thereof, increases the potential difference between the substrate and a plasma formed in the processing chamber thereby accelerating ions from the plasma towards the active surfaces of the substrate regions. A plurality of bias electrodes herein are spatially arranged across the substrate support in a pattern that is advantageous for managing uniformity of processing results across the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Philip Allan KRAUS, Thai Cheng CHUA, Jaeyong CHO
  • Publication number: 20210183621
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an applicator frame for a processing chamber. In an embodiment, the applicator frame comprises a first major surface of the applicator frame and a second major surface of the applicator frame opposite the first major surface. In an embodiment, the applicator frame further comprises a through hole, wherein the through hole extends entirely through the applicator frame. In an embodiment, the applicator frame also comprises a lateral channel embedded in the applicator frame. In an embodiment the lateral channel intersects the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Hanh Nguyen, Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 11037764
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatuses that include a plasma processing tool that includes a plurality of magnets. In one embodiment, a plasma processing tool may comprise a processing chamber and a plurality of modular microwave sources coupled to the processing chamber. In an embodiment, the plurality of modular microwave sources includes an array of applicators positioned over a dielectric plate that forms a portion of an outer wall of the processing chamber, and an array of microwave amplification modules. In an embodiment, each microwave amplification module is coupled to one or more of the applicators in the array of applicators. In an embodiment, the plasma processing tool may include a plurality of magnets. In an embodiment, the magnets are positioned around one or more of the applicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Mani Subramani
  • Publication number: 20210098231
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a housing for a source array. In an embodiment, the housing comprises a conductive body, where the conductive body comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. In an embodiment a plurality of openings are formed through the conductive body and a channel is disposed into the second surface of the conductive body. In an embodiment, a cover is over the channel, and the cover comprises first holes that pass through a thickness of the cover. In an embodiment, the housing further comprises a second hole through a thickness of the conductive body. In an embodiment, the second hole intersects with the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: James Carducci, Richard C. Fovell, Larry D. Elizaga, Silverst Rodrigues, Vladimir Knyazik, Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Publication number: 20210098236
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a source for a processing tool. In an embodiment, the source comprises a dielectric plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a cavity into the first surface of the dielectric plate. In an embodiment, the cavity comprises a third surface that is between the first surface and the second surface. In an embodiment, the source further comprises a dielectric resonator extending away from the third surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph F. AuBuchon, James Carducci, Larry D. Elizaga, Richard C. Fovell, Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Publication number: 20210100076
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a housing for a source assembly. In an embodiment, the housing comprises a conductive body with a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a plurality of openings through a thickness of the conductive body between the first surface and the second surface. In an embodiment, the housing further comprises a channel into the first surface of the conductive body, and a cover over the channel. In an embodiment, a first stem over the cover extends away from the first surface, and a second stem over the cover extends away from the first surface. In an embodiment, the first stem and the second stem open into the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: James Carducci, Richard C. Fovell, Larry D. Elizaga, Silverst Rodrigues, Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210098230
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a monolithic source array. In an embodiment, the monolithic source array comprises a dielectric plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. The monolithic source array may further comprise a plurality of protrusions that extend out from the first surface of the dielectric plate, wherein the plurality of protrusions and the dielectric plate are a monolithic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 10943768
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an applicator frame for a processing chamber. In an embodiment, the applicator frame comprises a first major surface of the applicator frame and a second major surface of the applicator frame opposite the first major surface. In an embodiment, the applicator frame further comprises a through hole, wherein the through hole extends entirely through the applicator frame. In an embodiment, the applicator frame also comprises a lateral channel embedded in the applicator frame. In an embodiment the lateral channel intersects the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanh Nguyen, Thai Cheng Chua, Philip Allan Kraus
  • Patent number: 10937678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for biasing regions of a substrate in a plasma assisted processing chamber are provided. Biasing of the substrate, or regions thereof, increases the potential difference between the substrate and a plasma formed in the processing chamber thereby accelerating ions from the plasma towards the active surfaces of the substrate regions. A plurality of bias electrodes herein are spatially arranged across the substrate support in a pattern that is advantageous for managing uniformity of processing results across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Allan Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Jaeyong Cho