Patents by Inventor Upendra Ummethala

Upendra Ummethala 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: 20250033156
    Abstract: A swapper assembly of a cluster tool includes a housing, at least two swappers, and a motor assembly. The at least two swappers are at least partially disposed within and rotatable relative to the housing. Each swapper includes a body, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm and second arm are rotatable relative to the body. The motor assembly includes at least one motor, and the motor assembly is configured to operate the at least two swappers simultaneously to change the position of the first arm and second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Upendra UMMETHALA, Praveen CHORAGUDI, Kaushik ALAYAVALLI, Bhawesh AGRAWAL
  • Publication number: 20250038021
    Abstract: A cluster tool includes: a factory interface including a first robot with an end effector; a first processing mainframe coupled to the factory interface, including: a first processing chamber; a first load lock including a first opening facing the factory interface configured to receive the end effector of the first robot, the first load lock further including a first slit valve configured to selectively open and close the first opening; at least one first LCF sensor disposed between the factory interface and the first slit valve; and a swapper assembly disposed between the first load lock and the first processing chamber, wherein the swapper assembly includes a first swapper configured to swap substrates between the first processing chamber and the first load lock along a first trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Upendra UMMETHALA, Tuan Anh NGUYEN, Kaushik ALAYAVALLI
  • Patent number: 12211670
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data associated with manufacturing equipment and updating one or more values of a digital replica associated with the manufacturing equipment based on the sensor data. The digital replica comprises a model reflecting a virtual representation of physical elements and dynamics of how the manufacturing equipment operates. One or more outputs indicative of predictive data is obtained from the digital replica and, based on the predictive data, performance of one or more corrective actions associated with the manufacturing equipment is caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Upendra Ummethala
  • Publication number: 20240365013
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a diagnostic substrate, comprising a baseplate, and a first plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the first plurality of image sensors are oriented horizontal to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a second plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the second plurality of image sensors are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) on the baseplate, and a controller on the baseplate, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the first plurality of image sensors and the second plurality of image sensors by the PCB. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a diffuser lid over the baseplate, the PCB, and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: UPENDRA UMMETHALA, PHILIP KRAUS, KEITH BERDING, BLAKE ERICKSON, PATRICK TAE, DEVENDRA CHANNAPPA HOLEYANNAVAR, SHIVARAJ MANJUNATH NARA, ANANDAKUMAR PARAMESHWARAPPA, SIVASANKAR NAGARAJAN, DHIRENDRA KUMAR
  • Patent number: 12114083
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a diagnostic substrate, comprising a baseplate, and a first plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the first plurality of image sensors are oriented horizontal to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a second plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the second plurality of image sensors are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) on the baseplate, and a controller on the baseplate, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the first plurality of image sensors and the second plurality of image sensors by the PCB. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a diffuser lid over the baseplate, the PCB, and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Philip Kraus, Keith Berding, Blake Erickson, Patrick Tae, Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Shivaraj Manjunath Nara, Anandakumar Parameshwarappa, Sivasankar Nagarajan, Dhirendra Kumar
  • Patent number: 12066639
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed describe a collimator assembly having a collimator housing that includes an interface configured to optically couple to a process chamber that has a target surface, and a port to receive an optical fiber to deliver, to an enclosure formed by the collimator housing, a first (second) plurality of spectral components of light belonging to a first (second) range of wavelengths, and an achromatic lens located, at least partially, within the enclosure formed by the collimator housing, the achromatic lens to direct the first (second) plurality of spectral components of light onto the target surface to illuminate a first (second) region on the target surface, wherein the second region is substantially the same as the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Pengyu Han, John Anthony O'Malley, Michael N. Grimbergen, Lei Lian, Upendra Ummethala, Michael Kutney
  • Publication number: 20240176312
    Abstract: A method includes providing, as input to a first trained machine learning model, trace data associated with one or more substrate processing procedures. The input further includes equipment constants associated with the one or more substrate processing procedures. The input further includes trace data of a first processing chamber. The input further includes equipment constants of the first processing chamber. The method further includes obtaining, as output from the first trained machine learning model, a recommended update to a first equipment constant of the first processing chamber. The method further includes updated the first equipment constant of the first processing chamber responsive to obtaining the output from the first trained machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Sidharth Bhatia, Roger Lindley, Upendra Ummethala, Thomas Li, Michael Howells, Steven Babayan, Mimi-Diemmy Dao
  • Publication number: 20240176336
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a processing device, data indicative of performance of a plurality of process chambers. The method further includes providing the data indicative of performance of the plurality of process chambers to a model. The method further includes receiving as output from the model a first recommended equipment constant update associated with a first process chamber of the plurality of process chambers and a second recommended equipment constant update associated with a second process chamber of the plurality of process chambers. The method further includes updating a first equipment constant of the first process chamber and a second equipment constant of the second process chamber in view of the first recommended equipment constant update and the second recommended equipment constant update.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Sidharth Bhatia, Roger Lindley, Upendra Ummethala, Thomas Li, Michael Howells, Steven Babayan, Mimi-Diemmy Dao
  • Publication number: 20240176334
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a processing device, first trace data associated with a first processing chamber, wherein the first processing chamber satisfies one or more performance metrics. The method further includes generating target trace data based on the first trace data associated with the first processing chamber. The method further includes receiving second trace data associated with a second processing chamber, wherein the second processing chamber does not satisfy the one or more performance metrics. The method further includes generating, based on the target trace data and the second trace data, a first recommended corrective action associated with the second processing chamber, wherein the first recommended corrective action includes updating one or more equipment constants of the second processing chamber. The method further includes performing the first recommended corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Sidharth Bhatia, Roger Lindley, Upendra Ummethala, Thomas Li, Michael Howells, Steven Babayan, Mimi-Diemmy Dao
  • Publication number: 20240162009
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, from one or more sensors, sensor data associated with manufacturing equipment and updating one or more values of a digital replica associated with the manufacturing equipment based on the sensor data. The digital replica comprises a model reflecting a virtual representation of physical elements and dynamics of how the manufacturing equipment operates. One or more outputs indicative of predictive data is obtained from the digital replica and, based on the predictive data, performance of one or more corrective actions associated with the manufacturing equipment is caused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Upendra Ummethala
  • Publication number: 20240019410
    Abstract: First sensor data indicative of a first mass flow rate of a first gas flowing to a vaporization chamber is received. The vaporization chamber includes a compound and is to transition the compound into a gaseous state. Second sensor data indicative of a second mass flow rate of a second gas including the compound and the first gas flowing out of the vaporization chamber is received. Third sensor data indicative of a third mass flow rate of the compound into the vaporization chamber is received. The first sensor data, the second sensor data, and the third sensor data is processed using a trained machine learning model to determine an estimated concentration of the compound within the second gas. At least one of a) modifying a flow rate of the first gas or b) providing the predicted concentration for display by a graphical user interface (GUI) is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Vivek B. Shah, Varoujan Chakarian, Upendra Ummethala
  • Publication number: 20230390886
    Abstract: A chemical mechanical polishing apparatus, including a platen supporting a polishing pad; a carrier head to hold a surface of a substrate against the polishing pad; a motor to generate relative motion between the platen and the carrier head so as to polish an overlying layer on the substrate; an array of acoustic sensors arranged within the carrier head to receive acoustic signals from the surface of the substrate; and a controller configured to detect a position of an acoustic event on the surface of the substrate based on received acoustic signals from the array of acoustic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Nicholas A. Wiswell, David Masayuki Ishikawa, Sohrab Pourmand, Benjamin Cherian, Thomas H. Osterheld, Jeonghoon Oh, Jianshe Tang
  • Publication number: 20230367288
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a method for use with a semiconductor processing tool. In an embodiment, the method comprises configuring the semiconductor processing tool, running a benchmark test on the semiconductor processing tool, providing hardware operating window (HOW) analytics, generating a design of experiment (DoE) using the HOW analytics, implementing process optimization, and releasing an iteration of the process recipe. In an embodiment, the method further comprises margin testing the iteration of the process recipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jeong Jin Hong, Mi Hyun Jang, Sidharth Bhatia, Sejune Cheon, Joshua Maher, Upendra Ummethala
  • Patent number: 11808746
    Abstract: A concentration sensor assembly can include a vaporization chamber having a compound. The concentration sensor assembly may include a first flow path coupled to the vaporization chamber. The first flow path may direct a first gas to the vaporization chamber. A second flow path can direct a second gas out of the vaporization chamber. The second gas can include the compound and the first gas. A first sensor is disposed along the first flow path. The first sensor measures first data indicative of a first mass flow rate of the first gas. A second sensor is disposed along the second flow path. The second sensor measure second data indicative of a second mass flow rate of the second gas. A computing device may determine a concentration of the vaporizable substance within the second gas based on the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek B. Shah, Varoujan Chakarian, Upendra Ummethala
  • Publication number: 20230341699
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed describe a collimator assembly having a collimator housing that includes an interface configured to optically couple to a process chamber that has a target surface, and a port to receive an optical fiber to deliver, to an enclosure formed by the collimator housing, a first (second) plurality of spectral components of light belonging to a first (second) range of wavelengths, and an achromatic lens located, at least partially, within the enclosure formed by the collimator housing, the achromatic lens to direct the first (second) plurality of spectral components of light onto the target surface to illuminate a first (second) region on the target surface, wherein the second region is substantially the same as the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Pengyu Han, John John O’Malley, Michael N. Grimbergen, Lei Lian, Upendra Ummethala, Michael Kutney
  • Publication number: 20230345137
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a diagnostic substrate, comprising a baseplate, and a first plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the first plurality of image sensors are oriented horizontal to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a second plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the second plurality of image sensors are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) on the baseplate, and a controller on the baseplate, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the first plurality of image sensors and the second plurality of image sensors by the PCB. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a diffuser lid over the baseplate, the PCB, and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Philip Kraus, Keith Berding, Blake Erickson, Patrick Tae, Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Shivaraj Manjunath Nara, Anandakumar Parameshwarappa, Sivasankar Nagarajan, Dhirendra Kumar
  • Patent number: 11784028
    Abstract: A method includes causing manufacturing equipment to generate a RF signal to energize a processing chamber associated with the manufacturing equipment. The method further includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with the manufacturing equipment, current trace data associated with the RF signal. The method further includes updating impedance values of a digital replica associated with the manufacturing equipment based on the current trace data. The method further includes obtaining, from the digital replica, one or more outputs indicative of predictive data. The method further includes causing, based on the predictive data, performance of one or more corrective actions associated with the manufacturing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Upendra Ummethala
  • Patent number: 11736818
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a diagnostic substrate, comprising a baseplate, and a first plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the first plurality of image sensors are oriented horizontal to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a second plurality of image sensors on the baseplate, where the second plurality of image sensors are oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the baseplate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) on the baseplate, and a controller on the baseplate, where the controller is communicatively coupled to the first plurality of image sensors and the second plurality of image sensors by the PCB. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a diffuser lid over the baseplate, the PCB, and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Upendra Ummethala, Philip Kraus, Keith Berding, Blake Erickson, Patrick Tae, Devendra Channappa Holeyannavar, Shivaraj Manjunath Nara, Anandakumar Parameshwarappa, Sivasankar Nagarajan, Dhirendra Kumar
  • Patent number: 11735401
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include optical sensor systems and methods of using such systems. In an embodiment, the optical sensor system comprises a housing and an optical path through the housing. In an embodiment, the optical path comprises a first end and a second end. In an embodiment a reflector is at the first end of the optical path, and a lens is between the reflector and the second end of the optical path. In an embodiment, the optical sensor further comprises an opening through the housing between the lens and the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuang-Chia Lin, Upendra Ummethala, Steven E. Babayan, Lei Lian
  • Patent number: 11719952
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed describe a collimator assembly having a collimator housing that includes an interface configured to optically couple to a process chamber that has a target surface, and a port to receive an optical fiber to deliver, to an enclosure formed by the collimator housing, a first (second) plurality of spectral components of light belonging to a first (second) range of wavelengths, and an achromatic lens located, at least partially, within the enclosure formed by the collimator housing, the achromatic lens to direct the first (second) plurality of spectral components of light onto the target surface to illuminate a first (second) region on the target surface, wherein the second region is substantially the same as the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Pengyu Han, John Anthony O'Malley, Michael N. Grimbergen, Lei Lian, Upendra Ummethala, Michael Kutney