Patents by Inventor Yicheng Li

Yicheng 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: 20080127895
    Abstract: An ultraviolet-ray-assisted processing apparatus (10) for a semiconductor process includes a window disposed in a wall defining the process chamber (12) and to face a worktable (11), and configured to transmit ultraviolet rays. A light source (15) is disposed outside the process chamber (12) to face the window (20), and configured to emit ultraviolet rays. A supply system configured to supply a process gas in the process chamber (12) includes a head space (21) formed in the window (20) and which the process gas passes through, and a plurality of discharge holes (22) for discharging the process gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Shou-Qian SHAO, Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20070212484
    Abstract: A method and system for vapor deposition on a substrate that disposes a substrate in a process space of a processing system that is isolated from a transfer space of the processing system, processes the substrate at either of a first position or a second position in the process space while maintaining isolation from the transfer space, and deposits a material on said substrate at either the first position or the second position. Furthermore, the system includes a high conductance exhaust apparatus configured to be coupled to the process space, whereby particle contamination of the substrate processed in the deposition system is minimized. The exhaust apparatus comprises a pumping system located above the substrate and an evacuation duct, wherein the evacuation duct has an inlet located below the substrate plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20070209590
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for treating a substrate in a process space of a processing system that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space of the processing system is described. A sealing device is disposed between a first chamber assembly configured to define the process space and a second chamber assembly configured to define the transfer space. When the sealing device is engaged, vacuum isolation is provided between the process space and the transfer space. The sealing device comprises two or more contact ridges with one or more pockets formed therebetween. When the sealing device is engaged between the first chamber assembly and the second chamber assembly, gas is trapped in the one or more pockets. This trapped gas assists the release of the sealing device upon disengagement of the sealing device between the first chamber assembly and the second chamber assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20070209588
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for treating a substrate in a process space of a vacuum processing system is described. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum processing system and configured to evacuate the process space, while a process material supply system is pneumatically coupled to the vacuum processing system and configured to supply a process gas to the process space. Additionally, the vacuum pump is pneumatically coupled to the process supply system and configured to, at times, evacuate the process gas supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20070157683
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for vapor deposition on a substrate that maintain a first assembly of the vapor deposition system at a first temperature, maintain a second assembly of the vapor deposition system at a reduced temperature lower than the first temperature, dispose the substrate in a process space of the first assembly that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space in the second assembly, and deposit a material on the substrate. As such, the system includes a first assembly having a process space configured to facilitate material deposition, a second assembly coupled to the first assembly and having a transfer space to facilitate transfer of the substrate into and out of the deposition system, a substrate stage connected to the second assembly and configured to support the substrate, and a sealing assembly configured to separate the process space from the transfer space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20070116873
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for vapor deposition on a substrate that maintain a first assembly of the vapor deposition system at a first temperature, maintain a second assembly of the vapor deposition system at a reduced temperature lower than the first temperature, dispose the substrate in a process space of the first assembly that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space in the second assembly, and deposit a material on the substrate. As such, the system includes a first assembly having a process space configured to facilitate material deposition, a second assembly coupled to the first assembly and having a transfer space to facilitate transfer of the substrate into and out of the deposition system, a substrate stage connected to the second assembly and configured to support the substrate, and a sealing assembly configured to separate the process space from the transfer space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yicheng Li, Tadahiro Ishizaka, Kaoru Yamamoto, Atsushi Gomi, Masamichi Hara, Toshiaki Fujisato, Jacques Faguet, Yasushi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20070116872
    Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for vapor deposition on a substrate that disposes a substrate in a process space of a processing system that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space of the processing system, processes the substrate at either of a first position or a second position in the process space while maintaining vacuum isolation from the transfer space, and deposits a material on said substrate at either the first position or the second position. As such, the system includes a first assembly having a process space configured to facilitate material deposition, a second assembly coupled to the first assembly and having a transfer space to facilitate transfer of the substrate into and out of the deposition system, a substrate stage connected to the second assembly and configured to support and translate the substrate between a first position in the transfer space to a second position in the process space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yicheng Li, Tadahiro Ishizaka, Kaoru Yamamoto, Atsushi Gomi, Masamichi Hara, Toshiaki Fujisato, Jacques Faguet, Yasushi Mizusawa
  • Publication number: 20060130757
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling precursor chemistry. The apparatus includes a chamber including a mixing space, at least one input coupled to the mixing space; and at least one output coupled to the mixing space. A motor subassembly coupled to the chamber and coupled to a mixing element in the mixing space. A controller coupled to the motor subassembly and to the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: YiCheng Li
  • Patent number: 7029505
    Abstract: The single substrate thermal processing apparatus (2) includes a process chamber (5) arranged to accommodate a target substrate (W) and provided with a showerhead (10) disposed on its ceiling. A support member (28) is disposed to support the target substrate (W) so as for it to face the showerhead (10), when the target substrate (W) is subjected to a semiconductor process. A heating lamp (30) is disposed below the support member (28), for radiating light to heat the target substrate (W). The support member (28) and heating lamp (30) are moved up and down together relative to the showerhead (10) by an elevator mechanism (20). The elevator mechanism (20) sets different distances between the showerhead (30) and heating lamp (10), in accordance with the different process temperatures, thereby causing temperature change of the bottom surface of the showerhead (10) to fall in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lin Sha, Shou-Qian Shao, Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20050260835
    Abstract: The single substrate thermal processing apparatus (2) includes a process chamber (5) arranged to accommodate a target substrate (W) and provided with a showerhead (10) disposed on its ceiling. A support member (28) is disposed to support the target substrate (W) so as for it to face the showerhead (10), when the target substrate (W) is subjected to a semiconductor process. A heating lamp (30) is disposed below the support member (28), for radiating light to heat the target substrate (W). The support member (28) and heating lamp (30) are moved up and down together relative to the showerhead (10) by an elevator mechanism (20). The elevator mechanism (20) sets different distances between the showerhead (30) and heating lamp (10), in accordance with the different process temperatures, thereby causing temperature change of the bottom surface of the showerhead (10) to fall in a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Lin Sha, Shou-Qian Shao, Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: 6891131
    Abstract: A thermal processing system performs predetermined thermal processing on an approximately circular to-be-processed object, by applying radiant heat to the to-be-processed object by means of a heating lamp system. The heating lamp system comprises a plurality of lamps disposed concentrically so as to correspond to the to-be-processed object. The plurality of lamps are controlled individually for respective zones of the to-be-processed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Takashi Shigeoka, Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: 6889004
    Abstract: A thermal processing system for heating a to-be-processed object while rotating the to-be-processed object by a placement part, and for performing thermal processing on the to-be-processed object by supplying a predetermined gas into a processing chamber. An outer ring part provided outside the processing chamber and an inner ring part provided inside the processing chamber have pluralities of circumferentially arranged magnetic poles. The magnetic poles apply magnetic forces between the outer ring part and inner ring part so that the inner ring part will follow the rotation of the outer ring part. The number of magnetic poles of the outer ring part and inner ring part are selected to achieve an allowable angular error when between the outer ring part and inner ring part during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: 6845292
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus (42) for a semiconductor processing system includes a transfer member (44) having a support portion (48) to place a target substrate (W) thereon, and a drive unit (68) for driving the transfer member (44). A reference mark (54) is disposed adjacent to the support portion (48). The target substrate (W) has optically observable first and second portions (84, 86). A storage section (63) stores a normal image that shows a positional correlation between the reference mark (54) and the first and second portions (84, 86), obtained when the target substrate (W) is placed on the support portion (48) at a normal position. An image pick-up device (62A) takes a detection image that shows a positional correlation between the reference mark (54) and the first and second portions (84, 86), when the transfer member (44) transfers the target substrate (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lin Sha, Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20040158347
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus (42) for a semiconductor processing system includes a transfer member (44) having a support portion (48) to place a target substrate (W) thereon, and a drive unit (68) for driving the transfer member (44). A reference mark (54) is disposed adjacent to the support portion (48). The target substrate (W) has optically observable first and second portions (84, 86). A storage section (63) stores a normal image that shows a positional correlation between the reference mark (54) and the first and second portions (84, 86), obtained when the target substrate (W) is placed on the support portion (48) at a normal position. An image pick-up device (62A) takes a detection image that shows a positional correlation between the reference mark (54) and the first and second portions (84, 86), when the transfer member (44) transfers the target substrate (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Lin Sha, Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20040149215
    Abstract: An ultraviolet-ray-assisted processing apparatus (10) for a semiconductor process includes a window disposed in a wall defining the process chamber (12) and to face a worktable (11), and configured to transmit ultraviolet rays. A light source (15) is disposed outside the process chamber (12) to face the window (20), and configured to emit ultraviolet rays. A supply system configured to supply a process gas in the process chamber (12) includes a head space (21) formed in the window (20) and which the process gas passes through, and a plurality of discharge holes (22) for discharging the process gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Shou-Qian Shao, Yicheng Li
  • Publication number: 20040013419
    Abstract: A thermal processing system performs predetermined thermal processing on an approximately circular to-be-processed object, by applying radiant heat to the to-be-processed object by means of a heating lamp system. The heating lamp system comprises a plurality of lamps disposed concentrically so as to correspond to the to-be-processed object. The plurality of lamps are controlled individually for respective zones of the to-be-processed object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Takashi Shigeoka, Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: 6641302
    Abstract: A thermal process apparatus for a semiconductor substrate, including a heating source heating the semiconductor substrate by irradiating a light on one side of the semiconductor substrate, a reflection plate facing to the semiconductor substrate in a state where a reflection cavity is formed with another side of the semiconductor substrate, a thermometer having a light-receiving part provided on the refection plate so as to measure a temperature of the semiconductor substrate by catching a radiation beam from the semiconductor substrate heated by the heating source by the light-receiving part; and light absorption means provided around the light-receiving part for absorbing a diffuse reflection light generated in the reflection cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yicheng Li, Takashi Shigeoka, Takeshi Sakuma
  • Publication number: 20030089697
    Abstract: A thermal processing system according to the present invention heats a to-be-processed object while rotating the to-be-processed object by a placement part, and performs thermal processing on the to-be-processed object by supplying a predetermined gas into a processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: D589472
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: D593969
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yicheng Li