Patents by Inventor Yasuharu Sasaki

Yasuharu Sasaki 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: 20140346152
    Abstract: A mounting table includes an electrostatic chuck, a base, and a cylindrical sleeve. The electrostatic chuck has a top surface to be exposed to plasma and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and a first through-hole is formed through the electrostatic chuck. The base is bonded to the bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck by a first adhesive, and a second through-hole is formed through the base. The second through-hole communicates with the first through-hole and has a diameter larger than a diameter of the first through-hole. The sleeve is bonded to the bottom surface of the electrostatic chuck by a second adhesive while communicating with the first through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Takeshi Sugamata, Tadashi Aoto
  • Patent number: 8823404
    Abstract: There are provided an evaluation device and an evaluation method for a substrate mounting apparatus capable of simply evaluating a temperature control function of the substrate mounting apparatus depending on evaluation conditions or circumstances and an evaluation substrate used for the same. The substrate mounting apparatus holds a target substrate mounted on a mounting surface and controls a temperature of the target substrate. The evaluation device includes an evacuable airtight chamber in which the substrate mounting apparatus is provided; an evaluation substrate which is mounted on the mounting surface instead of the target substrate and includes a self-heating resistance heater; and a temperature measurement unit which measures a temperature of the evaluation substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8696862
    Abstract: A substrate mounting table is disposed in a processing chamber for performing a plasma process on a substrate and includes at least one power feed part formed of an insulating material surrounding a power feed line and a cooling medium path. The substrate mounting table further includes a protrusion portion for dividing a space formed on a substrate mounting surface of the mounting table into regions, inlet ports through which cooling gases are introduced into the regions divided by the protrusion portion, and a controller for controlling pressures or flow rates of the cooling gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140076515
    Abstract: A substrate mounting table for mounting a substrate in a substrate processing apparatus, includes a table body having a substrate mounting surface. An annular peripheral ridge portion is formed on the substrate mounting surface of the table body. The annular peripheral ridge portion makes contact with a peripheral edge portion of the substrate and forms a closed space for circulation of a heat transfer gas below the substrate, when the substrate is mounted on the substrate mounting surface of the table body. The table body has a heat transfer gas inlet port formed in a peripheral edge region of the substrate mounting surface, a heat transfer gas outlet port formed in a central region of the substrate mounting surface, and a flow path formed on the substrate mounting surface for forming a conductance C when the heat transfer gas flows from the inlet port to the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasuharu SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8573836
    Abstract: An apparatus evaluates a substrate mounting device adapted to hold a target substrate placed on a mounting surface and to control a temperature of the target substrate. The apparatus includes an evacuatable airtightly sealed chamber accommodating therein the substrate mounting device, a heat source, arranged in a facing relationship with the mounting surface, for irradiating infrared light. The apparatus further includes an evaluation-purpose substrate adapted to be mounted on the mounting surface in place of the target substrate, the evaluation-purpose substrate being made of an infrared light absorbing material, and having a unit for measuring temperatures at plural sites on a surface and/or inside of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Takehiro Ueda, Taketoshi Okajo, Kaoru Oohashi
  • Patent number: 8512511
    Abstract: A mounting table for use in a plasma processing apparatus, on which a substrate is mounted, includes: a conductive member connected to a high frequency power supply and a high frequency power supply; a dielectric layer embedded in a central portion on an upper surface of the conductive member; and an electrostatic chuck mounted on the dielectric layer. Further, the electrostatic chuck is connected to a high voltage DC power supply and includes an electrode film satisfying following conditions: ?/z?85 (where ?=(?v/(??f))1/2) and, a surface resistivity of the substrate>a surface resistivity of a central portion of the electrode film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Himori, Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120300357
    Abstract: In a repairing method for an electrostatic chuck device in which at least an adhesive layer and an attracting layer are provided on a metal base, a side surface of an eroded adhesive layer is wound with a string-like adhesive and thermal compression is performed thereafter. A repairing apparatus for an electrostatic chuck device, which is used in the repairing method, includes a rotatable table for rotating the electrostatic chuck device and a bobbin for supplying the adhesive to the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ken Yoshioka, Syuichi Takahashi, Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120281334
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic chuck apparatus which is configured of: an electrostatic chuck section; an annular focus ring section provided to surround the electrostatic chuck section; and a cooling base section which cools the electrostatic chuck section and the focus ring section. The focus ring section is provided with an annular focus ring, an annular heat conducting sheet, an annular ceramic ring, a nonmagnetic heater, and an electrode section that supplies power to the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicants: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD., TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Kenji Masuzawa, Toshiyuki Makabe, Mamoru Kosakai, Takashi Satou, Kazunori Ishimura, Ryuuji Hayahara, Hitoshi Kouno
  • Patent number: 8252132
    Abstract: In a repairing method for an electrostatic chuck device in which at least an adhesive layer and an attracting layer are provided on a metal base, a side surface of an eroded adhesive layer is wound with a string-like adhesive and thermal compression is performed thereafter. A repairing apparatus for an electrostatic chuck device, which is used in the repairing method, includes a rotatable table for rotating the electrostatic chuck device and a bobbin for supplying the adhesive to the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Ken Yoshioka, Syuichi Takahashi, Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120043024
    Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing apparatus including: a chamber in which plasma processing is performed on a substrate; a susceptor which is disposed in the chamber and on which the substrate is held; a shower head which is provided to face the susceptor with a processing space therebetween; a high frequency power source which generates plasma by applying high frequency power to the processing space; water spray devices which form a surface wet with water on a rear surface of a surface of the susceptor as a temperature adjustment surface; an evaporation chamber which isolates the wet surface from an atmosphere around the wet surface; and a pressure adjustment device which adjusts a pressure in the evaporation chamber, wherein the pressure in the evaporation chamber is adjusted by using the pressure adjustment device such that the water which forms the wet surface is evaporated, thereby controlling a temperature of the surface of the susceptor by using latent heat of evaporation of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuharu SASAKI, Eiichiro KIKUCHI, Kazuyoshi MATSUZAKI
  • Patent number: 8043971
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] In a plasma processing apparatus for executing a process using plasma, promoting the sharing of an apparatus in executing a plurality of different processes and plasma states amongst apparatuses in executing same processes in a plurality of apparatuses are provided. [Solution] A ring member formed of an insulating material is disposed to surround a to-be-treated substrate in a processing vessel and an electrode is installed in the ring member for adjusting a plasma sheath region. For example, a first DC voltage is applied to the electrode when a first process is performed on the to-be-treated substrate and a second DC voltage is applied to the electrode when a second process is performed on the to-be-treated substrate. In this case, the plasma state can be matched by applying an appropriate DC voltage according to each process or each apparatus executing the same process. Therefore, the sharing of an apparatus can be promoted and the plasma state can be readily adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Tsuyoshi Moriya, Hiroshi Nagaike
  • Publication number: 20110232888
    Abstract: A zone temperature control structure which has two or more zone of which surface temperatures are controlled to different temperatures, respectively. The structure can maintain a temperature difference by suppressing heat conduction in a direction in which the zones are arrayed, and prevent formation of a hot spot by ensuring smooth heat conduction for heat input in a direction intersecting the direction in which the zones are arrayed. A heat-conducting anisotropic material layer is disposed between the two or more zones. The heat-conducting anisotropic material layer is configured such that heat conductivity is lower in the direction in which the two or more zones are arrayed than in the direction intersecting the direction in which the two or more zones are arrayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasuharu SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20110181313
    Abstract: There are provided an evaluation device and an evaluation method for a substrate mounting apparatus capable of simply evaluating a temperature control function of the substrate mounting apparatus depending on evaluation conditions or circumstances and an evaluation substrate used for the same. The substrate mounting apparatus holds a target substrate mounted on a mounting surface and controls a temperature of the target substrate. The evaluation device includes an evacuable airtight chamber in which the substrate mounting apparatus is provided; an evaluation substrate which is mounted on the mounting surface instead of the target substrate and includes a self-heating resistance heater; and a temperature measurement unit which measures a temperature of the evaluation substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20110083837
    Abstract: A temperature control system includes a heat transfer medium supply configured to supply a first heat transfer medium of a first temperature into a heat transfer medium path; at least one heat transfer medium storage provided between the heat transfer medium path and the heat transfer medium supply and configured to store a second heat transfer medium of a second temperature higher than the first temperature; a heat transfer medium supply control device provided between the heat transfer medium supply and the heat transfer medium path and between the heat transfer medium storage and the heat transfer medium path and configured to stop a supply of the first heat transfer medium into the heat transfer medium path from the heat transfer medium supply and to supply the second heat transfer medium into the heat transfer medium path from the heat transfer medium storage when a heating unit generates heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Ryo Nonaka, Nobuyuki Nagayama
  • Publication number: 20110079367
    Abstract: There is provided a temperature control method for a substrate mounting table capable of increasing a temperature of a substrate rapidly and reducing a loss of thermal energy. In a susceptor 12 including therein a heater 14, a coolant path 15 and a coolant reservoir 16 and holding thereon a wafer W on which a plasma etching process is performed, a coolant flows through the inside of the coolant path 15 and the coolant reservoir 16, and a flow of the coolant is stopped in the coolant reservoir 16 when the heater 14 generates heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7815492
    Abstract: A surface treatment method that enables a surface of an electrostatic chuck to be smoothed, so as to improve the efficiency of heat transfer between the surface of the electrostatic chuck and a substrate. The electrostatic chuck is provided in an upper portion of a susceptor provided in a chamber of a substrate processing apparatus. In the surface treatment of the electrostatic chuck, a sprayed coating film is formed on the surface of the electrostatic chuck, next the surface of the electrostatic chuck is ground by bringing into contact therewith a grindstone, then the surface of the electrostatic chuck is ground flat by bringing into contact therewith a lapping plate onto a surface of which is sprayed a suspension, and then the surface of the electrostatic chuck is ground smooth by bringing into contact therewith a tape of a tape lapping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Masakazu Higuma, Tadashi Aoto, Eiichiro Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20100177455
    Abstract: In a repairing method for an electrostatic chuck device in which at least an adhesive layer and an attracting layer are provided on a metal base, a side surface of an eroded adhesive layer is wound with a string-like adhesive and thermal compression is performed thereafter. A repairing apparatus for an electrostatic chuck device, which is used in the repairing method, includes a rotatable table for rotating the electrostatic chuck device and a bobbin for supplying the adhesive to the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Ken Yoshioka, Syuichi Takahashi, Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100078129
    Abstract: A mounting table for use in a plasma processing apparatus, on which a substrate is mounted, includes: an inner conductive member connected to an ion attracting RF power supply; an outer conductive member connected to a plasma generating RF power supply, the outer conductive member surrounding the inner conductive member; and a partition member formed of a dielectric material, the partition member partitioning between the inner conductive member and the outer conductive member. Further, the mounting table includes an electrostatic chuck formed of a dielectric material and arranged between the substrate and the inner conductive member, and between the substrate and the outer conductive member; and a dielectric layer arranged between the electrostatic chuck and the inner conductive member to conceal the inner conductive member from the electrostatic chuck. The electrostatic chuck includes an electrode film that is connected to a high voltage DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinji HIMORI, Yasuharu SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20100071850
    Abstract: A mounting table for use in a plasma processing apparatus, on which a substrate is mounted, includes: a conductive member connected to a high frequency power supply and a high frequency power supply; a dielectric layer embedded in a central portion on an upper surface of the conductive member; and an electrostatic chuck mounted on the dielectric layer. Further, the electrostatic chuck is connected to a high voltage DC power supply and includes an electrode film satisfying following conditions: ?/z?85 (where ?=(?v/(??f))1/2) and, a surface resistivity of the substrate>a surface resistivity of a central portion of the electrode film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shinji HIMORI, Yasuharu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7646581
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck capable of widening a temperature range and reducing a variation in thermal conductivity between the electrostatic chuck and the flat substrate over time is provided. The chuck includes: a body that has an internal electrode for attracting a flat substrate by an electrostatic force provided therein, a plurality of protrusions formed on one surface of the body serving as an electrostatic attraction surface, and projections provided on the top surfaces of some or all of the plurality of protrusions. In the electrostatic chuck, a region of the top surface of each of the minute projections on which the flat substrate is loaded is referred to as a mounting surface, and the total area of the mounting surfaces of the minute projections is equal to or larger than 0.01% and equal to or smaller than 2% of the area of the electrostatic attraction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignees: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd., Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Takehiro Ueda, Yusuke Nakagawa, Nobuyuki Nagayama, Taketoshi Okajo, Mamoru Kosakai