Patents by Inventor Yasuyuki Motoshima

Yasuyuki Motoshima 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: 20170239778
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus which can maintain a surface temperature of a polishing pad at a desired target temperature. The apparatus for regulating a surface temperature of a polishing pad, includes: a pad contact member which is contactable with a surface of the polishing pad and which has a heating flow passage and a cooling flow passage formed therein; a heating-liquid supply pipe coupled to the heating flow passage; a cooling-liquid supply pipe coupled to the cooling flow passage; a first flow control valve attached to the heating-liquid supply pipe; a second flow control valve attached to the cooling-liquid supply pipe; a pad-temperature measuring device configured to measure a surface temperature of the polishing pad; and a valve controller configured to operate the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve based on the surface temperature of the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Toru MARUYAMA, Hisanori MATSUO, Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Yohei ETO, Mitsunori KOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20170106492
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polishing apparatus that polishes a substrate by causing the substrate to be in slide contact with a polishing pad. The polishing apparatus includes a pad temperature control mechanism configured to control a surface temperature of the polishing pad, which includes a pad contact member that comes in contact with the surface of the polishing pad and a liquid supply system configured to supply a temperature-controlled liquid to the pad contact member. The pad contact member includes a liquid flow path therein, and the liquid flow path communicates with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet connected to the liquid supply system. At least one planar baffle is disposed in the liquid flow path, and the baffle has a space therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Motoshima
  • Patent number: 9579768
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a surface of a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad on a polishing table. The polishing apparatus is configured to control a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad by blowing a gas on the polishing pad during polishing. The polishing apparatus includes a pad temperature control mechanism having at least one gas ejection nozzle for ejecting a gas toward the polishing pad and configured to blow the gas onto the polishing pad to control a temperature of the polishing pad, and an atomizer having at least one nozzle for ejecting a liquid or a mixed fluid of a gas and a liquid and configured to blow the liquid or the mixed fluid onto the polishing pad to remove foreign matters on the polishing pad. The pad temperature control mechanism and the atomizer are formed into an integral unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Motoshima, Toru Maruyama, Hisanori Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9561575
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by moving the substrate and a polishing pad relative to each other. The apparatus includes: an elastic modulus measuring device configured to measure an elastic modulus of the polishing pad, and a polishing condition adjustor configured to adjust polishing conditions of the substrate based on a measured value of the elastic modulus. The polishing conditions include pressure of a retaining ring, arranged around the substrate, exerted on the polishing pad and a temperature of the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Motoshima, Toru Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9475167
    Abstract: A substrate polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table supporting a polishing pad; a top ring configured to press the substrate against the polishing pad; and a pad temperature regulator configured to regulate a surface temperature of the polishing pad. The pad temperature regulator includes a pad contact element and a liquid supply system configured to supply a temperature-controlled liquid to the pad contact element. The pad contact element has a space therein and a partition that divide the space into a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage that are connected in series. At least one baffle substantially perpendicular to a radial direction of the polishing table is provided in each of the first liquid passage and the second liquid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Maruyama, Tadakazu Sone, Yasuyuki Motoshima
  • Publication number: 20160264365
    Abstract: A substrate transfer hand is configured to sandwich a substrate between a plurality of receiving members and a gripping member and to fix the substrate by moving the gripping member with an actuator. The plurality of receiving members each have a flat plate-shaped support portion mounted on the main hand body, a substrate outer periphery holding portion supported on the support portion and configured to hold an outer periphery of the substrate, and a substrate lower surface holding portion supported on the support portion and configured to hold a lower surface of the substrate. The substrate outer periphery holding portion has a portion provided vertically from the support portion and configured to hold the substrate in contact with the outer periphery of the substrate. The substrate lower surface holding portion has a portion inclined from an outer peripheral side toward an inner side of the substrate to be held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Toru Maruyama, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Yohei Eto
  • Publication number: 20160096250
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by moving the substrate and a polishing pad relative to each other. The apparatus includes: an elastic modulus measuring device configured to measure an elastic modulus of the polishing pad, and a polishing condition adjustor configured to adjust polishing conditions of the substrate based on a measured value of the elastic modulus. The polishing conditions include pressure of a retaining ring, arranged around the substrate, exerted on the polishing pad and a temperature of the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru MARUYAMA
  • Patent number: 9233448
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by moving the substrate and a polishing pad relative to each other. The apparatus includes: an elastic modulus measuring device configured to measure an elastic modulus of the polishing pad, and a polishing condition adjustor configured to adjust polishing conditions of the substrate based on a measured value of the elastic modulus. The polishing conditions include pressure of a retaining ring, arranged around the substrate, exerted on the polishing pad and a temperature of the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Motoshima, Toru Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20150224621
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a surface of a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad on a polishing table. The polishing apparatus is configured to control a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad by blowing a gas on the polishing pad during polishing. The polishing apparatus includes a pad temperature control mechanism having at least one gas ejection nozzle for ejecting a gas toward the polishing pad and configured to blow the gas onto the polishing pad to control a temperature of the polishing pad, and an atomizer having at least one nozzle for ejecting a liquid or a mixed fluid of a gas and a liquid and configured to blow the liquid or the mixed fluid onto the polishing pad to remove foreign matters on the polishing pad. The pad temperature control mechanism and the atomizer are formed into an integral unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru MARUYAMA, Hisanori MATSUO
  • Publication number: 20150079881
    Abstract: A polishing method and a polishing apparatus which can increase a polishing rate and can control a polishing profile of a substrate being polished by adjusting a surface temperature of a polishing pad are disclosed. The polishing method for polishing a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad on a polishing table includes a pad temperature adjustment step of adjusting a surface temperature of the polishing pad, and a polishing step of polishing the substrate by pressing the substrate against the polishing pad having the adjusted surface temperature. In the pad temperature adjustment step, the surface temperature of a part of an area of the polishing pad, the area being to be brought in contact with the substrate, is adjusted during the polishing step so that the rate of temperature change of a temperature profile in a radial direction of the surface of the polishing pad becomes constant in the radial direction of the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Toru MARUYAMA, Hisanori MATSUO, Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20140364040
    Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a rotatable polishing table supporting a polishing pad, a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate and press the substrate against a polishing surface of the polishing pad on the rotating polishing table so as to polish the substrate, and a pad-temperature detector configured to measure a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a pad-temperature regulator configured to contact the polishing surface to regulate the temperature of the polishing surface, and a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the polishing surface by controlling the pad-temperature regulator based on information on the temperature of the polishing surface detected by the pad-temperature detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Tadakazu SONE, Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru MARUYAMA, Katsutoshi ONO, Yoichi SHIOKAWA
  • Patent number: 8845391
    Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a rotatable polishing table supporting a polishing pad, a substrate holder configured to hold the substrate and press the substrate against a polishing surface of the polishing pad on the rotating polishing table so as to polish the substrate, and a pad-temperature detector configured to measure a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad. The apparatus also includes a pad-temperature regulator configured to contact the polishing surface to regulate the temperature of the polishing surface, and a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the polishing surface by controlling the pad-temperature regulator based on information on the temperature of the polishing surface detected by the pad-temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tadakazu Sone, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Toru Maruyama, Katsutoshi Ono, Yoichi Shiokawa
  • Patent number: 8777198
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member; and a substrate pressing section for lowering relative to the substrate holder so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder downward, thereby bringing a first sealing member into pressure contact with the substrate (W). The substrate pressing section is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder, thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sekimoto, Seiji Katsuoka, Naoki Dai, Teruyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Suzuki, Kenichi Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Ryo Kato
  • Publication number: 20140127973
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a substrate by moving the substrate and a polishing pad relative to each other. The apparatus includes: an elastic modulus measuring device configured to measure an elastic modulus of the polishing pad, and a polishing condition adjustor configured to adjust polishing conditions of the substrate based on a measured value of the elastic modulus. The polishing conditions include pressure of a retaining ring, arranged around the substrate, exerted on the polishing pad and a temperature of the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20130023186
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus polishes a surface of a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad on a polishing table. The polishing apparatus is configured to control a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad by blowing a gas on the polishing pad during polishing. The polishing apparatus includes a pad temperature control mechanism having at least one gas ejection nozzle for ejecting a gas toward the polishing pad and configured to blow the gas onto the polishing pad to control a temperature of the polishing pad, and an atomizer having at least one nozzle for ejecting a liquid or a mixed fluid of a gas and a liquid and configured to blow the liquid or the mixed fluid onto the polishing pad to remove foreign matters on the polishing pad. The pad temperature control mechanism and the atomizer are formed into an integral unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru Maruyama, Hisanori Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20120220196
    Abstract: A substrate polishing apparatus includes: a polishing table supporting a polishing pad; a top ring configured to press the substrate against the polishing pad; and a pad temperature regulator configured to regulate a surface temperature of the polishing pad. The pad temperature regulator includes a pad contact element and a liquid supply system configured to supply a temperature-controlled liquid to the pad contact element. The pad contact element has a space therein and a partition that divide the space into a first liquid passage and a second liquid passage that are connected in series. At least one baffle substantially perpendicular to a radial direction of the polishing table is provided in each of the first liquid passage and the second liquid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru MARUYAMA, Tadakazu Sone, Yasuyuki Motoshima
  • Publication number: 20120141246
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member; and a substrate pressing section for lowering relative to the substrate holder so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder downward, thereby bringing a first sealing member into pressure contact with the substrate (W). The substrate pressing section is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder, thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Masahiko SEKIMOTO, Seiji Katsuoka, Naoki Dai, Teruyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Suzuki, Kenichi Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Ryo Kato
  • Patent number: 8141513
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member; and a substrate pressing section for lowering relative to the substrate holder so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder downward, thereby bringing a first sealing member into pressure contact with the substrate (W). The substrate pressing section is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder, thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sekimoto, Seiji Katsuoka, Naoki Dai, Teruyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Suzuki, Kenichi Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Ryo Kato
  • Publication number: 20110159782
    Abstract: An apparatus for polishing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes: a rotatable polishing table supporting a polishing pad; a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate and press the substrate against a polishing surface of the polishing pad on the rotating polishing table so as to polish the substrate; a pad-temperature detector configured to measure a temperature of the polishing surface of the polishing pad; a pad-temperature regulator configured to contact the polishing surface to regulate the temperature of the polishing surface; and a temperature controller configured to control the temperature of the polishing surface by controlling the pad-temperature regulator based on information on the temperature of the polishing surface detected by the pad-temperature detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Tadakazu SONE, Yasuyuki MOTOSHIMA, Toru MARUYAMA, Katsutoshi ONO, Yoichi SHIOKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110094442
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus can meet the request for a smaller-sized compact apparatus while ensuring a sufficient immersion depth of a substrate in a processing liquid. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a substrate holder for supporting a substrate (W) by bringing a peripheral portion of a surface of the substrate (W) into contact with a first sealing member; and a substrate pressing section for lowering relative to the substrate holder so as to press the substrate (W) held by the substrate holder downward, thereby bringing a first sealing member into pressure contact with the substrate (W). The substrate pressing section is provided with a second ring-shaped sealing member which makes pressure contact with an upper surface of a ring-shaped holding section of the substrate holder, thereby sealing the peripheral region of the substrate pressing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Masahiko SEKIMOTO, Seiji Katsuoka, Naoki Dai, Teruyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Suzuki, Kenichi Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Motoshima, Ryo Kato