Patents by Inventor Xiaopu LI

Xiaopu LI 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: 20260196452
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface that defines a substrate seat. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may include a first bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may include a second bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. An entirety of the second bipolar electrode may be radially inward of at least a portion of the first bipolar electrode. The first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coaxial with one another. Each of the first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coupled with at least one RF power supply. Each of the first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coupled with at least one DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2026
    Publication date: July 9, 2026
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Li, Kallol Bera, Edward P. Hammond, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Xiaopu Li
  • Patent number: 12640349
    Abstract: Methods of generating a plasma in a semiconductor processing chamber comprise: applying a radio frequency (RF) power to generate a plasma in a plasma region of the processing chamber, the processing chamber containing: a showerhead, an ion blocker plate, and a substrate, and the plasma region being defined by a front surface of the showerhead and a back surface of the ion blocker plate; and applying a bias the ion blocker plate so that there is no light-up in the processing chamber. Some methods further include dynamically tuning the bias by assessing conditions of light-up or no light-up and adjusting the bias. Some methods further include applying the bias zonally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Xiaopu Li, Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12581880
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chamber faceplates may include a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body may define a plurality of apertures that extend through one or both of the first surface and the second surface. The faceplates may include a heater disposed within an interior of the body. The faceplates may include a first RF mesh disposed between the heater and the first surface. The faceplates may include a second RF mesh disposed between the heater and the second surface. The first RF mesh and the second RF mesh may be coupled together and form a Faraday cage about the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rutvij Naik, Vijay Sarthy Mysore Sreedhara, Xiaopu Li, Shawyon Jafari, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Edward P. Hammond, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20250346999
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a chamber body. The chambers may include a substrate support disposed within the chamber body. The substrate support may define a substrate support surface. The chambers may include a showerhead positioned supported atop the chamber body. The substrate support and a bottom surface of the showerhead may at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor processing chamber. The showerhead may define a plurality of apertures through the showerhead. The bottom surface of the showerhead may define an annular groove or ridge that is positioned directly above at least a portion of the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2025
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saketh Pemmasani, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Xiaopu Li, Akshay Dhanakshirur, Mayur Govind Kulkarni, Madhu Santosh Kumar Mutyala, Deenesh Padhi, Hang Yu
  • Patent number: 12338530
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a chamber body. The chambers may include a substrate support disposed within the chamber body. The substrate support may define a substrate support surface. The chambers may include a showerhead positioned supported atop the chamber body. The substrate support and a bottom surface of the showerhead may at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor processing chamber. The showerhead may define a plurality of apertures through the showerhead. The bottom surface of the showerhead may define an annular groove or ridge that is positioned directly above at least a portion of the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saketh Pemmasani, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Xiaopu Li, Akshay Dhanakshirur, Mayur Govind Kulkarni, Madhu Santosh Kumar Mutyala, Deenesh Padhi, Hang Yu
  • Patent number: 12228534
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include gas concentration sensors, and methods of using such gas concentration sensors. In an embodiment, a gas concentration sensor comprises a first electrode. In an embodiment the first electrode comprises first fingers. In an embodiment, the gas concentration sensor further comprises a second electrode. In an embodiment, the second electrode comprises second fingers that are interdigitated with the first fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaopu Li, Kallol Bera, Yaoling Pan, Kelvin Chan, Amir Bayati, Philip Allan Kraus, Kenric T. Choi, William John Durand
  • Patent number: 12224156
    Abstract: Plasma source assemblies, gas distribution assemblies including the plasma source assembly and methods of generating a plasma are described. The plasma source assemblies include a powered electrode with a ground electrode adjacent a first side and a dielectric adjacent a second side. A first microwave generator is electrically coupled to the first end of the powered electrode through a first feed and a second microwave generator is electrically coupled to the second end of the powered electrode through a second feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaopu Li, Jozef Kudela, Kallol Bera, Tsutomu Tanaka, Dmitry A. Dzilno
  • Publication number: 20240393373
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises a board, wherein an aperture is formed through the board, a current loop winding through the board around the aperture, and a voltage ring around the aperture and within an inner perimeter of the current loop, wherein the voltage ring comprises an interior ring, an insulator ring around the interior ring, and an exterior ring around the insulator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: David Coumou, Xiaopu Li, Michelle SanPedro
  • Patent number: 12061215
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises a board, wherein an aperture is formed through the board, a current loop winding through the board around the aperture, and a voltage ring around the aperture and within an inner perimeter of the current loop, wherein the voltage ring comprises an interior ring, an insulator ring around the interior ring, and an exterior ring around the insulator ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Coumou, Xiaopu Li, Michelle SanPedro
  • Publication number: 20240249924
    Abstract: Exemplary substrate support assemblies may include an electrostatic chuck body defining a substrate support surface that defines a substrate seat. The assemblies may include a support stem coupled with the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may include a first bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. The assemblies may include a second bipolar electrode embedded within the electrostatic chuck body. An entirety of the second bipolar electrode may be radially inward of at least a portion of the first bipolar electrode. The first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coaxial with one another. Each of the first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coupled with at least one RF power supply. Each of the first bipolar electrode and the second bipolar electrode may be coupled with at least one DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Li, Kallol Bera, Edward P. Hammond, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Xiaopu Li
  • Publication number: 20240219337
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include gas concentration sensors, and methods of using such gas concentration sensors. In an embodiment, a gas concentration sensor comprises a first electrode. In an embodiment the first electrode comprises first fingers. In an embodiment, the gas concentration sensor further comprises a second electrode. In an embodiment, the second electrode comprises second fingers that are interdigitated with the first fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: XIAOPU LI, KALLOL BERA, YAOLING PAN, KELVIN CHAN, AMIR BAYATI, PHILIP ALLAN KRAUS, KENRIC T. CHOI, WILLIAM JOHN DURAND
  • Publication number: 20240145252
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chamber faceplates may include a body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body may define a plurality of apertures that extend through one or both of the first surface and the second surface. The faceplates may include a heater disposed within an interior of the body. The faceplates may include a first RF mesh disposed between the heater and the first surface. The faceplates may include a second RF mesh disposed between the heater and the second surface. The first RF mesh and the second RF mesh may be coupled together and form a Faraday cage about the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rutvij Naik, Vijay Sarthy Mysore Sreedhara, Xiaopu Li, Shawyon Jafari, Chidambara A. Ramalingam, Edward P. Hammond, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11959868
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include gas concentration sensors, and methods of using such gas concentration sensors. In an embodiment, a gas concentration sensor comprises a first electrode. In an embodiment the first electrode comprises first fingers. In an embodiment, the gas concentration sensor further comprises a second electrode. In an embodiment, the second electrode comprises second fingers that are interdigitated with the first fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaopu Li, Kallol Bera, Yaoling Pan, Kelvin Chan, Amir Bayati, Philip Allan Kraus, Kenric T. Choi, William John Durand
  • Patent number: 11908662
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and techniques for radio frequency (RF) phase control in a process chamber. A process volume is defined in the process chamber by a faceplate electrode and a support pedestal. A grounding bowl is disposed within the process chamber about the support pedestal opposite the process volume. The grounding bowl substantially fills a volume other than the process volume below the support pedestal. A phase tuner circuit is coupled to an RF mesh disposed in the support pedestal and the faceplate electrode. The tuner circuit adjusts a phase difference between a phase of the faceplate electrode and a phase of the RF mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaopu Li, Kallol Bera, Edward P. Hammond, IV, Jonghoon Baek, Amit Kumar Bansal, Jun Ma, Satoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11823871
    Abstract: Plasma source assemblies, gas distribution assemblies including the plasma source assembly and methods of generating plasma are described. The plasma source assemblies include a powered electrode with a ground electrode adjacent a first side and a dielectric adjacent a second side. A first microwave generator is electrically coupled to the first end of the powered electrode through a first feed and a second microwave generator is electrically coupled to the second end of the powered electrode through a second feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozef Kudela, Tsutomu Tanaka, Alexander V. Garachtchenko, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Avinash Shervegar, Kallol Bera, Xiaopu Li, Anantha K. Subramani, John C. Forster
  • Publication number: 20230358790
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises a board, wherein an aperture is formed through the board, a current loop winding through the board around the aperture, and a voltage ring around the aperture and within an inner perimeter of the current loop, wherein the voltage ring comprises an interior ring, an insulator ring around the interior ring, and an exterior ring around the insulator ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: David Coumou, Xiaopu Li, Michelle SanPedro
  • Publication number: 20230107392
    Abstract: Methods of generating a plasma in a semiconductor processing chamber comprise: applying a radio frequency (RF) power to generate a plasma in a plasma region of the processing chamber, the processing chamber containing: a showerhead, an ion blocker plate, and a substrate, and the plasma region being defined by a front surface of the showerhead and a back surface of the ion blocker plate; and applying a bias the ion blocker plate so that there is no light-up in the processing chamber. Some methods further include dynamically tuning the bias by assessing conditions of light-up or no light-up and adjusting the bias. Some methods further include applying the bias zonally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc
    Inventors: Kallol Bera, Xiaopu Li, Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11581206
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein comprise a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface. In an embodiment, the sensor further comprises a first electrode over the first surface of the substrate, and a second electrode over the first surface of the substrate and adjacent to the first electrode. In an embodiment, the sensor further comprises a barrier layer over the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaoling Pan, Patrick John Tae, Leonard Tedeschi, Jennifer Sun, Philip Allan Kraus, Xiaopu Li, Kallol Bera, Michael D. Willwerth, Albert Barrett Hicks, III, Lisa J. Enman, Mark Joseph Saly, Daniel Thomas McCormick
  • Publication number: 20230011938
    Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing chambers may include a chamber body. The chambers may include a substrate support disposed within the chamber body. The substrate support may define a substrate support surface. The chambers may include a showerhead positioned supported atop the chamber body. The substrate support and a bottom surface of the showerhead may at least partially define a processing region within the semiconductor processing chamber. The showerhead may define a plurality of apertures through the showerhead. The bottom surface of the showerhead may define an annular groove or ridge that is positioned directly above at least a portion of the substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Saketh Pemmasani, Daemian Raj Benjamin Raj, Xiaopu Li, Akshay Dhanakshirur, Mayur Govind Kulkarni, Madhu Santosh Kumar Mutyala, Deenesh Padhi, Hang Yu
  • Publication number: 20220333245
    Abstract: Aspects generally relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying a bias voltage to an ion blocker plate during substrate processing operations. In one aspect, the bias voltage is a negative direct current (DC) voltage. In one aspect, the bias voltage is a radio frequency (RF) voltage having a bias frequency of 2 MHz or less. In one implementation, a system for processing substrates includes a processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a processing volume, a pedestal positioned in the processing volume, and a lid assembly. The system includes a power line coupled to a faceplate of the lid assembly to supply a radio frequency (RF) power to the faceplate. The system includes a bias voltage line coupled to an ion blocker plate of the lid assembly to supply a bias voltage to the ion blocker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaopu LI, Kallol BERA, Jay D. PINSON, II, Martin Jay SEAMONS