Rotary Patents (Class 118/730)
  • Publication number: 20130276705
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber; a turntable rotatably provided in the vacuum chamber, on which a circular substrate is to be mounted, and provided with a circular concave portion at a front surface having a larger diameter than that of the substrate, and a circular substrate mounting portion provided in the concave portion having a diameter smaller than that of the concave portion and the substrate at a position higher than a bottom portion of the concave portion, the center of the substrate mounting portion being off center with respect to the center of the concave portion toward an outer peripheral portion side of the turntable; a process gas supplying unit which supplies a process gas to the substrate; and a vacuum evacuation mechanism which evacuates the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Katsuyuki Hishiya
  • Publication number: 20130276695
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wafer processes such as etching and chemical vapor deposition processes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a susceptor and a ring disposed beneath the susceptor to influence a thickness of the deposited epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: John Allen Pitney, Manabu Hamano
  • Patent number: 8562744
    Abstract: A coating device includes two workspaces, two first slide rails, two second slide rails, two transporting loops, a number of rotating platforms, and a number of loading poles. The first slide rails are respectively fixed on the bottoms of the workspaces. The second slide rails are respectively fixed on the tops of the workspaces. The transporting loops are movably positioned on the first slide rails respectively. The rotating platforms are rotatably positioned on the transporting loops and capable of being driven by the transporting loops to rotate and slide along the first slide rails. The loading poles are positioned between the rotating platforms and the second slide rails, and are used for holding substrates. The loading poles are capable of being transported from one workspace to another workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 8562746
    Abstract: A structure for a chemical vapor deposition reactor includes a support element defining oppositely-facing substantially planar upper and lower surfaces and a vertical rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of carrier sections releasably engaged with the support element. Each carrier section can include oppositely-facing substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and at least one aperture extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The carrier sections can be disposed on the support element with the bottom surfaces of the carrier sections facing toward the upper surface of the support element, so that wafers can be held in the apertures of the carrier sections with one surface of each wafer confronting the support element and an opposite surface exposed at the top surface of the carrier sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Gurary, Joseph Arthur Kraus, Ajit Paranjpe, William E. Quinn, David Albert Crewe
  • Publication number: 20130269615
    Abstract: A wafer boat for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers in a spaced apart relationship during processing, comprising at least one support member defining a plurality of sets of at least two vertically spaced apart wafer holding provisions, each of which wafer holding provisions is configured to independently hold a wafer in a substantially horizontal orientation, and wherein said sets are arranged such that the wafer boat is configured to accommodate a plurality of juxtaposed stacks of substantially horizontally oriented, vertically spaced apart wafers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Steven R. A. Van Aerde
  • Patent number: 8545632
    Abstract: A coating holder for holding a plurality of workpieces includes a rotating shaft, a first driving member, a plurality of hanging arms, a plurality of supporting trays, and a plurality of second driving members. The first driving member is configured for driving the rotating shaft to rotate. The hanging arms extend from the rotating shaft. Each hanging arm includes a free end distal from the rotating shaft. The supporting trays are configured for holding the workpieces. The second driving members are fixed in the respective free ends and are connected to the respective supporting trays. The second driving members are configured for driving the supporting trays to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8545630
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a chamber device and a transporting device. The chamber device defines two coating chambers, two parallel coating channels, and a transportation channel communicating with the coating channels. The coating chambers are separated from each other. The coating chambers and the coating channels are alternately arranged. Each coating chamber defines at least one coating slot communicating with the respective coating channel. The transporting device includes a shaft rotatable with respect to the chamber device and a carrying board fixed on the shaft. The shaft is axially movable in the transportation channel. The carrying board is receivable in each of the coating channels for exposing a substrate to the corresponding coating chamber via the associated coating slot. The carrying board is rotatable about the shaft in each of the coating channels and jointly movable with the shaft in and along the transportation channel between the coating channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Publication number: 20130252404
    Abstract: A structure for a chemical vapor deposition reactor desirably includes a reaction chamber having an interior, a spindle mounted in the reaction chamber, and a wafer carrier releasably mounted onto the spindle for rotation therewith. The spindle desirably has a shaft extending along a vertical rotational axis and a key projecting outwardly from the shaft. The wafer carrier preferably has a body defining oppositely-facing top and bottom surfaces and at least one wafer-holding feature configured so that a wafer can be held therein with a surface of the wafer exposed at the top surface of the body. The wafer carrier desirably further has a recess extending into the body from the bottom surface of the body and a keyway projecting outwardly from a periphery of the recess along a first transverse axis. The shaft preferably is engaged in the recess and the key preferably is engaged into the keyway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Sandeep Krishnan, Keng Moy, Alexander I. Gurary, Matthew King, Vadim Boguslavskiy, Steven Krommenhoek
  • Publication number: 20130251904
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a turntable having in one surface a substrate receiving portion along a turntable rotation direction; a first reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a first reaction gas; a second reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a second reaction gas; a separation area between a first process area where the first reaction gas is supplied and a second process area where the second reaction gas is supplied, the separation area including a separation gas supplying portion for supplying a first separation gas in the separation area, and a ceiling surface opposing the one surface to produce a thin space; a center area having an ejection hole for ejecting a second separation gas along the one surface; and an evacuation opening for evacuating the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Manabu Honma, Anthony Dip
  • Publication number: 20130239894
    Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus includes at least one susceptor mounted in a non-horizontal position, and at least one holder rotatably mounted on a first surface of the susceptor for holding wafers. The holder may be rotatable around a holder axis. A showerhead may be mounted at or near a center of the susceptor. The showerhead may release a reaction gas that flows radially toward a periphery of the susceptor. The holder may have a mass center that is eccentric from the holder axis to allow movement relative to the susceptor when the susceptor rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: PINECONE MATERIAL INC.
    Inventors: Cheng Chia FANG, Heng LIU
  • Patent number: 8535445
    Abstract: A wafer carrier used in wafer treatments such as chemical vapor deposition has pockets for holding the wafers and support surfaces for supporting the wafers above the floors of the pockets. The carrier is provided with locks for restraining wafers against upward movement away from the support surfaces. Constraining the wafers against upward movement limits the effect of wafer distortion on the spacing between the wafer and the floor surfaces, and thus limits the effects of wafer distortion on heat transfer. The carrier may include a main portion and minor portions having higher thermal conductivity than the main portion, the minor portions being disposed below the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Volf, Yuliy Rashkovsky
  • Patent number: 8535495
    Abstract: A coating device includes a rotatable base, a board for holding workpieces, a positioning shaft positioned on the rotatable base, two eccentric wheels, a rack, and two reciprocating shafts. The two eccentric wheels are fixed on the positioning shaft and extend from the positioning shaft along two opposite directions. The two eccentric wheels are parallel to and spaced from each other. The rack is rotatably connected to the rotatable base. The rack is capable of rotating around the positioning shaft. Each reciprocating shaft is positioned on the rack. Each reciprocating shaft includes a hinge portion rotatably connected to an end of the board and a sliding portion slidably connected to the edge of a corresponding eccentric wheel. The two eccentric wheels are capable of driving the two reciprocating shafts to move alternately toward and away from the positioning shaft along radial directions of the positioning shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Ying Wu, Ming-Yang Liao
  • Patent number: 8524611
    Abstract: In manufacturing a semiconductor device, a first chamber is provided. An opening couples the first chamber to a first environment through which at least one substrate can pass. A first seal environmentally isolates the first chamber from the first environment. A process chamber is coupled to the first chamber. Another seal environmental isolates the first and the process chambers. The substrate is placed within the first chamber, and the first chamber and the outside environment are isolated. The second opening is opened, and the substrate moves into the semiconductor process chamber. The first chamber is again environmentally isolated from the second volume. A semiconductor processing step is performed on the substrate within the processing chamber. While the substrate is processed, the substrate is rotated and translated through the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Solyndra LLC
    Inventor: Ratson Morad
  • Patent number: 8524054
    Abstract: A sputtering device includes a main body and a loading device received in the main body. The main body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a sidewall connected between the top portion and the bottom portion, an upper bearing mounted on the top portion, and a lower bearing mounted on the bottom portion. The loading device includes an outer frame, an inner frame received in the outer frame, and a gear device arranged between the outer frame and the in inner frame. The outer frame is rotatably connected to the upper bearing and includes a plurality of first rods arranged in a first circle. The inner frame is rotatably connected to the lower bearing and includes a plurality of second rods arranged in a second circle. The gear device is configured for bringing the outer frame and the inner frame to rotate in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Publication number: 20130224962
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting, positioning or rotating a semiconductor substrate during processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a substrate comprising positioning the substrate on a substrate receiving surface of a susceptor, and rotating the susceptor and the substrate by delivering flow of fluid from one or more rotating ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Blake KOELMEL, Nyi O. MYO
  • Publication number: 20130220551
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate stage, a strut which supports the substrate stage, a first rotation drive portion which rotates the support, and at least three lift pins which are provided in the substrate stage. The substrate processing apparatus includes an elevation mechanism for vertically moving the lift pins. The elevation mechanism includes a first rotating member which is disposed around the support and rotates about the support, a second rotation drive portion which rotates about a rotation axis at a position offset from the rotation axis and rotates the first rotating member, at least three second rotating members which rotate while engaging with rotation of the first rotating member and are disposed below the lift pins, mobile bodies which linearly move upon rotation of the second rotating members, and pins which vertically move the lift pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventor: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8506774
    Abstract: To provide a vacuum processing apparatus applicable to various manufacturing processes, by efficiently and highly reliably stacking films of various types and thicknesses and by downsizing the manufacturing apparatus by suppressing size increase of the apparatus due to increase of the number of film forming chambers caused by increase and complexity of process steps. A vacuum processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of film forming process parts which are provided with rotating transfer tables and film forming chambers. The rotating transfer tables form a transfer path for a work to be processed, in chambers which can be vacuum-exhausted. The film forming chambers are provided for depositing a film on the work to be processed which is arranged and transferred along a circumference which has a rotating shaft of the rotating transfer table as a center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Shibaura Mechatronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Ikeda, Yoji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8499715
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a first coating device, a number of second coating devices and a number of substrate holders. Each of the substrate holders is rotatable relative to the first coating device and the second coating devices such that one of two opposite holding surfaces of the substrate holder alternately faces the first coating device and the second coating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8500977
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a housing, a sputter mechanism, an evaporation mechanism, and a workpiece transport assembly. The housing defines a receiving space. The workpiece transport assembly includes a fixing plate, a first transport member, and a first shaft. The fixing plate is secured to the housing via the receiving space and divides the receiving space into a sputter chamber and an evaporation chamber. The sputter mechanism is mounted in the sputter chamber, and the evaporation mechanism is mounted in the evaporation chamber. The fixing plate defines a through hole. The sputter chamber communicates with the evaporation chamber via the through hole. The first transport member is configured to transport at least one workpiece. The first shaft is secured to the first transport member and rotatably mounted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8500978
    Abstract: A composite coating apparatus includes a main body, two carrying boards, and two actuators. The main body defines a first chamber and a second chamber with a separating board intervening therebetween. The separating board defines a coating opening intercommunicating with the chambers. The carrying boards are received in the first chamber and rotatably connected to the separating board at two sides of the coating opening. Each carrying board defines a receiving groove for holding a substrate. The actuators are configured for driving the carrying boards to rotate between a first coating position, in which the substrate is exposed to the second chamber for a first coating process carried out in the second chamber via the coating opening, and a second coating position, in which the substrate faces away from the separating board for a second coating process carried out in the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8500974
    Abstract: A carrier for use during sputtering includes a main body and support members. The main body defines a receiving space and includes a lateral surface defining at least one groove extending along a longitudinal direction. The receiving space and the at least one groove communicate with each other. The at least one groove is defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines recessed portions along the longitudinal direction and communicates with the receiving space. The support members are used for hanging workpieces. Each of the support members includes at least one support arm protruding from the lateral surface and is selectively and movably retained by one of the recessed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Pei Wang
  • Publication number: 20130196078
    Abstract: A substrate processing system for processing multiple substrates is provided and generally includes at least one substrate processing platform and at least one substrate staging platform. The substrate processing platform includes a rotary track system capable of supporting multiple substrate support assemblies and continuously rotating the substrate support assemblies, each carrying a substrate thereon. Each substrate is positioned on a substrates support assembly disposed on the rotary track system and being processed through at least one shower head station and at least one buffer station, which are positioned atop the rotary track system of the substrate processing platform. Multiple substrates disposed on the substrate support assemblies are processed in and out the substrate processing platform. The substrate staging platform includes at least one dual-substrate processing station, each dual-substrate processing station includes two substrate support assemblies for supporting two substrates thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph Yudovsky, Nag B. Patibandla, Pravin K. Narwankar, Li-Qun Xia, Toshiaki Fujita, Ralf Hofmann, Jeonghoon Oh, Srinivas Satya, Banqiu Wu
  • Patent number: 8490660
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting, positioning and rotating a substrate are provided. In one embodiment, a support assembly for supporting a substrate includes an upper base plate and a lower base plate. The substrate is floated on a thin layer of air over the upper base plate. A positioning assembly includes a plurality of air bearing edge rollers or air flow pockets used to position the substrate in a desired orientation inside above the upper base plate. A plurality of slanted apertures or air flow pockets are configured in the upper base plate for flowing gas therethrough to rotate the substrate to ensure uniform heating during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Koelmel, Alexander N. Lerner, Joseph M. Ranish, Kedarnath Sangam, Khurshed Sorabji
  • Patent number: 8481344
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for evaporating metal onto semiconductor wafers are disclosed. One such apparatus can include an evaporation chamber that includes a wafer holder, such as a dome, and a test wafer holder that is separate and spaced apart from the wafer holder. In certain implementations, the test wafer can be coupled to a cross beam supporting at least one shaper. A metal can be evaporated onto production wafers positioned in the wafer holder while metal is evaporated on a test wafer positioned in a test wafer holder. In some instances, the production wafers can be GaAs wafers. The test wafer can be used to make a quality assessment about the production wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Lam T. Luu, Shiban K. Tiku, Richard S. Bingle, Jens A. Riege, Heather L. Knoedler, Daniel C. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8475595
    Abstract: A coating system includes a housing, a coating umbrella, a rotatable assembly, a lift driver, a solvent storage chamber, and a jet device. The housing includes a block dividing the housing into a coating chamber and a painting chamber. The coating umbrella is configured for receiving a number of workpieces. The rotatable assembly is connected to the coating umbrella to drive the rotatable assembly to rotate. The lift driver lifts the rotatable assembly to switch the position of the coating umbrella between the coating chamber and the spray painting chamber. The solvent storage chamber is configured for storing paint solvent. The solvent storage chamber communicates with the painting chamber. The jet device is received in the solvent storage chamber, and communicated with the painting chamber to spray the paint solvent onto the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8465591
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a turntable having in one surface a substrate receiving portion along a turntable rotation direction; a first reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a first reaction gas; a second reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a second reaction gas; a separation area between a first process area where the first reaction gas is supplied and a second process area where the second reaction gas is supplied, the separation area including a separation gas supplying portion for supplying a first separation gas in the separation area, and a ceiling surface opposing the one surface to produce a thin space; a center area having an ejection hole for ejecting a second separation gas along the one surface; and an evacuation opening for evacuating the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Manabu Honma, Anthony Dip
  • Patent number: 8465592
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a turntable having in one surface a substrate receiving portion along a turntable rotation direction; a first reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a first reaction gas; a second reaction gas supplying portion for supplying a second reaction gas; a separation area between a first process area where the first reaction gas is supplied and a second process area where the second reaction gas is supplied, the separation area including a separation gas supplying portion for supplying a first separation gas in the separation area, and a ceiling surface opposing the one surface to produce a thin space; a center area having an ejection hole for ejecting a second separation gas along the one surface; and an evacuation opening for evacuating the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Manabu Honma, Anthony Dip
  • Patent number: 8460466
    Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition reactor and a method of wafer processing are provided. The reactor includes a reaction chamber having an interior, a gas inlet manifold communicating with the interior of the chamber, an exhaust system including an exhaust manifold having a passage and one or more ports, and one or more cleaning elements mounted within the chamber. The gas inlet manifold can admit process gasses to form a deposit on substrates held within the interior. The passage can communicate with the interior of the chamber through the one or more ports. The one or more cleaning elements are movable between (i) a run position in which the cleaning elements are remote from the one or more ports and (ii) a cleaning position in which the one or more cleaning elements are engaged in the one or more ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Gurary
  • Publication number: 20130134128
    Abstract: A method and device for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber. A rotary chuck is located within the process chamber, and is adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon. An interior fluid distribution ring is positioned above the rotary chuck, and comprises an annular surface inclined downwardly from a radially inner edge to a radially outer edge thereof. At least one fluid distribution nozzle extends into the closed process chamber and is positioned so as to discharge fluid onto the annular surface of the fluid distribution ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LAM RESEARCH AG
    Inventors: Ulrich TSCHINDERLE, Andreas GLEISSNER, Michael BRUGGER
  • Patent number: 8448598
    Abstract: A coating device includes a case, a reaction module, and a cover. The case defines a reaction cavity. Receiving plates are positioned on an inner surface of the reaction cavity. The reaction module is received in the reaction cavity and capable of being rotated in the reaction cavity. The reaction module includes an outer housing and an inner housing. The outer housing includes electric magnets and waveguides. The electric magnets are positioned around the outer housing. Waveguide channels are defined in the outer housing. Each waveguide is partially received in a corresponding waveguide channel. The inner housing is received in the outer housing. A first receiving chamber is defined between the inner and outer housings. A second receiving chamber is defined in the inner housing. The first receiving chamber communicates with the second receiving chamber and the reaction cavity. The cover covers the opening end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8449678
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Kurt Weiner, Indranil De, James Tsung, Maosheng Zhao, Jeremy Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130125820
    Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition or epitaxial-layer growth reactor includes a reaction chamber. At least one substrate carrier and a supporter for supporting the substrate carrier are provided in the reaction chamber. The substrate carrier includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface of the substrate carrier is provided with at least one recess concaved inwardly. The supporter includes: a spindle part; a supporting part connected to one end of the spindle part and extending outwardly from the periphery of the spindle part, the supporting part including a supporting surface; and a plug-in part connected to the spindle part and extending by a height towards the first surface of the substrate carrier, the plug-in part of the supporter being inserted detachably in the recess, so as to enable the substrate carrier to be placed on and supported by the supporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Gerald Zheyao YIN, Yong JIANG
  • Patent number: 8444767
    Abstract: A coating device includes a reaction device, a mixing device, a deposition device, a first switching device and a second switching device. The reaction device defines a reaction chamber. The mixing device is connected to the reaction device and defines a mixing chamber that communicates with the reaction chamber. The deposition device is connected to the mixing device and defines a deposition chamber that communicates with the mixing chamber. The first switching device is configured to communicate the reaction chamber and the mixing chamber and separate the reaction chamber from the mixing chamber. The second switching device is configured to communicate the mixing chamber and the deposition chamber and separate the mixing chamber from the deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8435350
    Abstract: A device for supplying a large number of consumer stations with a predetermined amount of a process medium, in particular a coating device for containers, has a supply line for the process medium and a connection at the consumer station. In order to make such a device simpler from the structural point of view and less expensive, a unit is used, which keeps a predetermined flow rate constant and which comprises a capillary path extending before each connection and dimensioned in accordance with the predetermined amount of process medium, and a unit which is associated with a plurality of connections and which is used for maintaining a defined flow velocity along the capillary path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Andreas Kursawe, Andreas Kraus, Jochen Krueger, John Felts
  • Publication number: 20130104800
    Abstract: A film-forming method and apparatus for performing vapor phase growth reaction avoiding a substrate becoming adhered to a substrate supporting portion, comprising: placing a substrate on a substrate supporting portion in a film-forming chamber, supplying a source gas into the film-forming chamber while the substrate is rotating on a cylindrical portion for supporting the substrate supporting portion thereon, supplying a purge gas into the cylindrical portion and forming a film on the substrate while at least a part of the substrate is vibrating up and down on the substrate supporting portion by discharge of the purge gas from between the substrate and the substrate supporting portion. The vibration allowing the substrate to not become adhered to the substrate supporting portion, and thus increase throughput of the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: NuFlare Technology, Inc
    Inventor: NuFlare Technology, Inc
  • Patent number: 8430964
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a chamber device and a transporting device. The chamber device defines two separated coating chambers, two coating channels, which are alternately arranged, two coating slots communicating the coating chambers with the coating channels respectively, and a transportation channel extending to intersect the coating chambers and the coating channels and communicate with the coating channels. The transporting device includes a carrying board for carrying a substrate to be coated and an a driver for driving the carrying board to move along the transportation channel and to rotate the carrying board into one of the coating channels so that the substrate faces and aligns a corresponding coating chamber via a corresponding coating slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Publication number: 20130084391
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate treatment apparatus. The substrate treatment apparatus includes a process chamber, a support unit disposed within the process chamber to support a substrate, and a nozzle unit disposed within the process chamber to spray gas. The nozzle unit includes a first nozzle spraying process gas, and a second nozzle spraying blocking gas onto an inner wall of the process chamber or an area adjacent to the support unit to prevent the process gas from being deposited on the inner wall of the process chamber or the support unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Gon LEE, Hyeong Soo PARK
  • Patent number: 8409354
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber and method are provided. In the method a fluid volume flows over a surface of a substrate with differing portions of the fluid volume having different constituent components to concurrently expose segregated regions of the substrate to a mixture of the constituent components that differ from constituent components to which adjacent regions are exposed. Differently processed segregated regions are generated through the multiple flowings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony P. Chiang, Chi-l Lang, Sunil Shanker
  • Patent number: 8409355
    Abstract: Embodiments of process kits for substrate supports of semiconductor substrate process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit for a semiconductor process chamber may include an annular body being substantially horizontal and having an inner and an outer edge, and an upper and a lower surface; an inner lip disposed proximate the inner edge and extending vertically from the upper surface; and an outer lip disposed proximate the outer edge and on the lower surface, and having a shape conforming to a surface of the substrate support pedestal. In some embodiments, a process kit for a semiconductor process chamber my include an annular body having an inner and an outer edge, and having an upper and lower surface, the upper surface disposed at a downward angle of between about 5-65 degrees in an radially outward direction from the inner edge toward the outer edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad M. Rasheed, Teruki Iwashita, Hiroshi Otake, Yuki Koga, Kazutoshi Maehara, Xinglong Chen, Sudhir Gondhalekar, Dmitry Lubomirsky
  • Publication number: 20130061805
    Abstract: Disclosed is an epitaxial wafer susceptor and a supportive and rotational connection apparatus matching the susceptor used for an MOCVD reaction chamber. The susceptor comprises a top surface and a susceptor rotating shaft protruding downward. A vertical driving shaft is coupled to the susceptor. The driving shaft comprises a counter bore inside an upper end of the driving shaft. At least a part of the susceptor rotating shaft is inserted into the counter bore if the susceptor is loaded. The susceptor is positioned and supported in the reaction chamber via coupling and connection between a contact surface of the susceptor rotating shaft and a corresponding contact surface of the counter bore. The susceptor is driven to rotate by the driving shaft if the driving shaft rotates. Reactant gases are introduced into the reaction chamber for an epitaxial reaction or a film deposition on the epitaxial wafers placed on the susceptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: JiangSu Zhongsheng Semiconductor Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JiangSu Zhangsheng Semiconductor Equiment Co
  • Publication number: 20130064977
    Abstract: Method of depositing an atomic layer on a substrate. The method comprises supplying a precursor gas from a precursor-gas supply of a deposition head that may be part of a rotatable drum. The precursor gas is provided from the precursor-gas supply towards the substrate. The method further comprises moving the precursor-gas supply by rotating the deposition head along the substrate which in its turn is moved along the rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurweten schappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Adrianus Johannes Petrus Maria Vermeer, Freddy Roozeboom, Joop Van Deelen
  • Patent number: 8387563
    Abstract: A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Endo, Jeremy Cheng, Indranil De, James Tsung, Kurt Weiner, Maosheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 8388853
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for supporting, positioning or rotating a semiconductor substrate during processing. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a substrate comprising positioning the substrate on a substrate receiving surface of a susceptor, and rotating the susceptor and the substrate by delivering flow of fluid from one or more rotating ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Koelmel, Nyi O. Myo
  • Publication number: 20130042813
    Abstract: A film deposition apparatus includes a turntable including plural substrate placing areas in the circumferential direction; a gas nozzle provided to extend from an inner edge to an outer edge of the substrate placing area; a gas evacuation port provided outside of an outer edge of the turntable and downstream in a rotational direction of the turntable with respect to the gas nozzle for evacuating the gas; and a regulation member including a wall portion provided between the gas nozzle and the gas evacuation port for isolating the gas nozzle and the gas evacuation port at least at a part between the inner edge to the outer edge of the substrate placing area while having a space extending from the inner edge to the outer edge of the substrate placing area when a substrate is placed on the substrate placing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi KATO, Shigehiro Ushikubo, Katsuyuki Hishiya
  • Publication number: 20130036968
    Abstract: A film-forming apparatus and method comprising a film-forming chamber for supplying a reaction gas, a cylindrical shaped liner provided in the film-forming chamber, a straightening vane provided above the liner for the reaction gas to pass through, wherein the outside of the film-forming chamber connects the inside of the liner via a substrate transfer portion provided at the wall of the film-forming chamber by moving the straightening vane from the position that the straightening vane closes the upper opening of the liner. A substrate supporting portion provided in the liner, for supporting the substrate before the film-forming to move the substrate in a vertical direction, a substrate transfer unit capable of moving inside the film-forming chamber through the substrate transfer portion, wherein the substrate is transferred between the substrate supporting portion and the substrate transfer unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Kunihiko Suzuki, Shinichi Mitani, Yuusuke Sato
  • Patent number: 8372202
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a turntable including a substrate receiving area; a first reaction gas supplier for supplying a first reaction gas to a surface of the turntable having the substrate receiving area; a second reaction gas supplier, arranged away from the first reaction gas supplier along a circumferential direction of the turntable, for supplying a second reaction gas to the surface; a separation area located along the circumferential direction between a first process area of the first reaction gas and a second process area of the second reaction gas; a separation gas supplier for supplying a first separation gas to both sides of the separation area; a first heating unit for heating the first separation gas to the separation gas supplier; an evacuation opening for evacuating the gases supplied to the turntable; and a driver for rotating the turntable in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Manabu Honma
  • Patent number: 8372203
    Abstract: A film formation system 10 includes a processing chamber 15 bounded by sidewalls 18 and a top cover 11. In one embodiment, a susceptor 16 is rotatably disposed in the system 10, and overlaps with a first peripheral member 205 disposed around the sidewalls 18. A radiant heating system 313 is disposed under the susceptor 305 to heat the substrate 19. In another embodiment, the top cover 11 has equally spaced pyrometers 58 for measuring the temperature of the substrate 19 across a number of zones. The temperature of the substrate 19 is obtained from pyrometric data from the pyrometers 58.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Chacin, Aaron Hunter, Craig Metzner, Roger N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8361234
    Abstract: A substrate treatment apparatus includes a substrate holding unit, a gas ejection nozzle, and a gas supply unit. The substrate holding unit is configured to hold a substrate. The gas supply unit is configured to supply a gas to the gas ejection nozzle. The gas ejection nozzle is disposed to be positioned adjacent a center portion of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit. The gas ejection nozzle has a gas ejection port. The gas ejection nozzle is configured to eject the gas radially from the gas ejection port over the substrate held by the substrate holding unit to form a gas-flow for covering the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Izuta, Hiroaki Ishii, Asuka Yoshizumi
  • Publication number: 20130008610
    Abstract: A surface treatment apparatus in which a disk-like sample-holding plate is provided inside an enclosure constituting a cylindrical circumferential wall. A cylindrical portion in an upper portion of the enclosure constitutes a material fluid supplying channel, and a channel provided on the lateral side of the sample-holding plate in the enclosure and shaped spreading as it goes farther from the cylindrical portion constitutes a fluid discharge channel. The fluid discharge channel employs a parabola curve or the like in which the position of the upper end of the outmost circumference of the sample-holding plate is defined as a focus position and the position of the upper end of the outlet that is symmetrically opposite to the focus position is defined as a reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yu Yan Jiang, Masahide Inagaki, Kenji Nakashima, Soichiro Makino, Nariaki Horinouchi, Takahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8349128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for etching a substrate using a spatially modified plasma is provided herein. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a process chamber having a plasma stabilizer disposed above a substrate support pedestal. A substrate is placed upon the pedestal. A process gas is introduced into the process chamber and a plasma is formed from the process gas. The substrate is etched with a plasma having an ion density to radical density ratio defined by the plasma stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Valentin N. Todorow, John P. Holland, Michael D. Willwerth