Patents by Inventor Yuichi Wada

Yuichi Wada 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).

  • Patent number: 12080522
    Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a process chamber, includes: a top plate having a central recess disposed in an upper surface thereof; a channel extending from an outer portion of the top plate to the central recess; a plurality of holes disposed through the top plate from a bottom surface of the recess to a lower surface of the top plate; a cover plate configured to be coupled to the top plate and to form a seal along a periphery of the central recess such that the covered recess forms a plenum within the top plate; and a tubular body extending down from the lower surface of the top plate and surrounding the plurality of holes, the tubular body further configured to surround a substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sarath Babu, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Yueh Sheng Ow, Junqi Wei, Kelvin Tai Ming Boh, Kang Zhang, Yuichi Wada
  • Publication number: 20240258076
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a substrate support including a metal body with a substrate face, a plurality of lift pin holes formed in the body, and a dielectric coating disposed on the substrate face of the body. Each of the plurality lift pin holes includes a through hole and a chamfer face configured to mate with a lift pin sleeve. The dielectric coating includes a substrate supporting surface, a thickness, and a pattern disposed in the substrate supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Tuck Foong KOH, Sarath BABU, Yuichi WADA
  • Publication number: 20240087913
    Abstract: Describes are shutter disks comprising one or more of titanium (Ti), barium (Ba), or cerium (Ce) for physical vapor deposition (PVD) that allows pasting to minimize outgassing and control defects during etching of a substrate. The shutter disks incorporate getter materials that are highly selective to reactive gas molecules, including O2, CO, CO2, and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Zhang, Junqi Wei, Yueh Sheng Ow, Kelvin Boh, Yuichi Wada, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Sarath Babu
  • Patent number: 11913107
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, a method for processing a substrate can includes selectively etching from a substrate disposed in the PVD chamber an exposed first layer of material, covering an underlying second layer of material, and adjacent to an exposed third layer of material, using both process gas ions and metal ions formed from a target of the PVD chamber, in an amount sufficient to expose the second layer of material while simultaneously depositing a layer of metal onto the third layer of material; and subsequently depositing metal from the target onto the second layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yueh Sheng Ow, Yuichi Wada, Junqi Wei, Kang Zhang, Kelvin Boh
  • Patent number: 11881385
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods use a unique process kit to protect a processing volume of a process chamber. The process kit includes a shield with a frame configured to be insertable into a shield and a foil liner composed of a metallic material that is attachable to the frame at specific points. The specific attachment points are spaced apart to produce an amount of flexibility based on a malleability of the metallic material. The amount of flexibility ranges from approximately 2.5 to approximately 4.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yueh Sheng Ow, Yuichi Wada, Junqi Wei, Kang Zhang, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Sarath Babu, Kok Seong Teo, Kok Wei Tan
  • Patent number: 11862480
    Abstract: Describes are shutter disks comprising one or more of titanium (Ti), barium (Ba), or cerium (Ce) for physical vapor deposition (PVD) that allows pasting to minimize outgassing and control defects during etching of a substrate. The shutter disks incorporate getter materials that are highly selective to reactive gas molecules, including O2, CO, CO2, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Zhang, Junqi Wei, Yueh Sheng Ow, Kelvin Boh, Yuichi Wada, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Sarath Babu
  • Patent number: 11629409
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a substrate processing chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate processing chamber includes a chamber body having sidewalls defining an interior volume having a polygon shape; a selectively sealable elongated opening disposed in an upper portion of the chamber body for transferring one or more substrates into or out of the chamber body; a funnel disposed at a first end of the chamber body, wherein the funnel increases in size along a direction from an outer surface of the chamber body to the interior volume; and a pump port disposed at a second end of the chamber body opposite the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ribhu Gautam, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Tuck Foong Koh, Preetham P. Rao, Vinodh Ramachandran, Yueh Sheng Ow, Yuichi Wada, Cheng-Hsiung Tsai, Kai Liang Liew
  • Patent number: 11610807
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaving a substrate in a semiconductor chamber. The semiconductor chamber pressure is adjusted to a process pressure, a substrate is then heated to a nucleation temperature of ions implanted in the substrate, the temperature of the substrate is then adjusted below the nucleation temperature of the ions, and the temperature is maintained until cleaving of the substrate occurs. Microwaves may be used to provide heating of the substrate for the processes. A cleaving sensor may be used for detection of successful cleaving by detecting pressure changes, acoustic emissions, changes within the substrate, and/or residual gases given off by the implanted ions when the cleaving occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Felix Deng, Yueh Sheng Ow, Tuck Foong Koh, Nuno Yen-Chu Chen, Yuichi Wada, Sree Rangasai V. Kesapragada, Clinton Goh
  • Patent number: 11587799
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. For example, the method can include depositing a first layer of metal on a first substrate; depositing a second layer of metal atop the first layer of metal; depositing a third layer of metal on a second substrate; depositing a fourth layer of metal atop the third layer of metal; and bringing the second layer of material into contact with the fourth layer of material under conditions sufficient to cause the first substrate to be bonded to the second substrate by a diffusion layer formed by portions of the first layer of metal diffusing through the second layer of metal and portions of the third layer of metal diffusing through the fourth layer of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Kang Hsiung, Yuichi Wada, Glen T. Mori
  • Patent number: 11569122
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaving a substrate in a semiconductor chamber. The semiconductor chamber pressure is adjusted to a process pressure, a substrate is then heated to a nucleation temperature of ions implanted in the substrate, the temperature of the substrate is then adjusted below the nucleation temperature of the ions, and the temperature is maintained until cleaving of the substrate occurs. Microwaves may be used to provide heating of the substrate for the processes. A cleaving sensor may be used for detection of successful cleaving by detecting pressure changes, acoustic emissions, changes within the substrate, and/or residual gases given off by the implanted ions when the cleaving occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Felix Deng, Yueh Sheng Ow, Tuck Foong Koh, Nuno Yen-Chu Chen, Yuichi Wada, Sree Rangasai V. Kesapragada, Clinton Goh
  • Patent number: 11557499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting parts of a process chamber from thermal cycling effects of deposited materials. In some embodiments, a method of protecting the part of the process chamber includes wet etching the part with a weak alkali or acid, cleaning the part by bead blasting, coating at least a portion of a surface of the part with a stress relief layer. The stress relief layer forms a continuous layer that is approximately 50 microns to approximately 250 microns thick and is configured to preserve a structural integrity of the part from the thermal cycling of aluminum deposited on the part. The method may also include wet cleaning of the part with a heated deionized water rinse after formation of the stress relief layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuichi Wada, Kok Wei Tan, Chul Nyoung Lee, Siew Kit Hoi, Xinxin Wang, Zheng Min Clarence Chong, Yaoying Zhong, Kok Seong Teo
  • Patent number: 11359285
    Abstract: Described herein is a technique capable of reducing the time necessary for stabilizing the inner temperature of the processing furnace. A substrate processing apparatus may include: a wafer retainer configured to support a plurality of wafers; a upright cylindrical process vessel; a seal cap configured to cover an opening at a lower end of the process vessel; a first heater configured to heat an inside of the process vessel from a lateral side thereof; an insulating unit disposed between the seal cap and the wafer retainer; and a second heater facing at least one of the plurality of wafers and configured to heat the at least one of the plurality of wafers, the second heater including: a pillar penetrating centers of the seal cap and the insulating unit; an annular member connected to and concentric with the pillar; a pair of connecting parts connecting end portions of the annular member to the pillar; and an heating element disposed inside the annular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Kokusai Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Murata, Takashi Yahata, Yuichi Wada, Takatomo Yamaguchi, Shuhei Saido
  • Publication number: 20220122871
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting parts of a process chamber from thermal cycling effects of deposited materials. In some embodiments, a method of protecting the part of the process chamber includes wet etching the part with a weak alkali or acid, cleaning the part by bead blasting, coating at least a portion of a surface of the part with a stress relief layer. The stress relief layer forms a continuous layer that is approximately 50 microns to approximately 250 microns thick and is configured to preserve a structural integrity of the part from the thermal cycling of aluminum deposited on the part. The method may also include wet cleaning of the part with a heated deionized water rinse after formation of the stress relief layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Yuichi WADA, Kok Wei TAN, Chul Nyoung LEE, Siew Kit HOI, Xinxin WANG, Zheng Min Clarence CHONG, Yaoying ZHONG, Kok Seong TEO
  • Patent number: 11289357
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing voltage breakdown levels of an electrostatic chuck in a process chamber. A soft anodization layer with a thickness of greater than zero and less than approximately 10 microns is formed on an aluminum base of the electrostatic chuck. The soft anodization layer remains thermally elastic in a temperature range of approximately ?50 degrees Celsius to approximately 100 degrees Celsius. An alumina spray coating is then applied on the soft anodization layer. The soft anodization layer provides thermal stress relief between the aluminum base and the alumina spray coating to reduce/eliminate cracking caused by the thermal expansion rate differences between the aluminum base and the alumina spray coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuichi Wada, Yueh Sheng Ow, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Clinton Goh, Kai Liang Liew, Sarath Babu
  • Publication number: 20220028702
    Abstract: Describes are shutter disks comprising one or more of titanium (Ti), barium (Ba), or cerium (Ce) for physical vapor deposition (PVD) that allows pasting to minimize outgassing and control defects during etching of a substrate. The shutter disks incorporate getter materials that are highly selective to reactive gas molecules, including O2, CO, CO2, and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhang Kang, Junqi Wei, Yueh Sheng Ow, Kelvin Boh, Yuichi Wada, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Sarath Babu
  • Patent number: 11171017
    Abstract: Describes are shutter disks comprising one or more of titanium (Ti), barium (Ba), or cerium (Ce) for physical vapor deposition (PVD) that allows pasting to minimize outgassing and control defects during etching of a substrate. The shutter disks incorporate getter materials that are highly selective to reactive gas molecules, including O2, CO, CO2, and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhang Kang, Junqi Wei, Yueh Sheng Ow, Kelvin Boh, Yuichi Wada, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Sarath Babu
  • Publication number: 20210335582
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods use a unique process kit to protect a processing volume of a process chamber. The process kit includes a shield with a frame configured to be insertable into a shield and a foil liner composed of a metallic material that is attachable to the frame at specific points. The specific attachment points are spaced apart to produce an amount of flexibility based on a malleability of the metallic material. The amount of flexibility ranges from approximately 2.5 to approximately 4.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Yueh Sheng OW, Yuichi WADA, Junqi WEI, Kang ZHANG, Ananthkrishna JUPUDI, Sarath BABU, Kok Seong TEO, Kok Wei TAN
  • Publication number: 20210335581
    Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for use in a process chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for use in a process chamber, includes: a top plate having a central recess disposed in an upper surface thereof; a channel extending from an outer portion of the top plate to the central recess; a plurality of holes disposed through the top plate from a bottom surface of the recess to a lower surface of the top plate; a cover plate configured to be coupled to the top plate and to form a seal along a periphery of the central recess such that the covered recess forms a plenum within the top plate; and a tubular body extending down from the lower surface of the top plate and surrounding the plurality of holes, the tubular body further configured to surround a substrate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Sarath BABU, Ananthkrishna JUPUDI, Yueh Sheng OW, Junqi WEI, Kelvin Tai Ming BOH, Kang ZHANG, Yuichi WADA
  • Patent number: D971167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sarath Babu, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Yueh Sheng Ow, Junqi Wei, Kelvin Boh, Yuichi Wada, Kang Zhang
  • Patent number: D973609
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sarath Babu, Ananthkrishna Jupudi, Yueh Sheng Ow, Junqi Wei, Kelvin Tai Ming Boh, Kang Zhang, Yuichi Wada