With Radio Frequency (rf) Antenna Or Inductive Coil Gas Energizing Means Patents (Class 156/345.48)
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Patent number: 9941097Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber including a dielectric window; a coil-shaped RF antenna, provided outside the dielectric window; a substrate supporting unit provided in the processing chamber; a processing gas supply unit; an RF power supply unit for supplying an RF power to the RF antenna to generate a plasma of the processing gas by an inductive coupling in the processing chamber, the RF power having an appropriate frequency for RF discharge of the processing gas; a correction coil, provided at a position outside the processing chamber where the correction coil is to be coupled with the RF antenna by an electromagnetic induction, for controlling a plasma density distribution on the substrate in the processing chamber; a switching device provided in a loop of the correction coil; and a switching control unit for on-off controlling the switching device at a desired duty ratio by pulse width modulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Yohei Yamazawa, Chishio Koshimizu, Masashi Saito, Kazuki Denpoh, Jun Yamawaku
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Patent number: 9840772Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
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Patent number: 9818584Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield within the plasma chamber in order to reduce capacitative coupling to the plasma. The internal conductive shield is maintained at substantially the same potential as the plasma source by a biasing electrode or by the plasma. The internal shield allows for a wider variety of cooling methods on the exterior of the plasma chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: FEI CompanyInventors: Thomas G. Miller, Shouyin Zhang
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Patent number: 9807862Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes an ICP antenna, provided outside a processing chamber opposite to a mounting table, for supplying a high frequency power supply into the processing chamber, and a window member made of a conductor, disposed between the mounting table and the ICP antenna, forming a part of a wall of the processing chamber. The window member includes transmission units for transmitting the high frequency power in a thickness direction of the window member. Each of transmission units has a slit, which extends through the window member in the thickness direction and is configured such that its width is changeable.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: TOKOYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Hachishiro Iizuka
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Patent number: 9754769Abstract: A process chamber for detecting formation of plasma during a semiconductor wafer processing, includes an upper electrode, for providing a gas chemistry to the process chamber. The upper electrode is connected to a radio frequency (RF) power source through a match network to provide RF power to the wafer cavity to generate a plasma. The process chamber also includes a lower electrode for receiving and supporting the semiconductor wafer during the deposition process. The lower electrode is disposed in the process chamber so as to define a wafer cavity between a surface of the upper electrode and a top surface of the lower electrode. The lower electrode is electrically grounded. A coil sensor is disposed at a base of the lower electrode that extends outside the process chamber. The coil sensor substantially surrounds the base of the lower electrode. The coil sensor is configured to measure characteristics of RF current conducting through the wafer cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Yukinori Sakiyama, Yaswanth Rangineni, Jeremy Tucker, Douglas Keil, Edward Augustyniak, Sunil Kapoor
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Patent number: 9685305Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a dielectric member having communication holes through which an internal space communicates with a processing space; a first electrode and a second electrode; a first gas supply device which supplies a first processing gas; a first high frequency power supply which supplies a first high frequency power to at least one of the electrodes to generate a first plasma of the first processing gas; a depressurizing device which introduces the first processing gas and radicals in the first plasma; a second high frequency power supply which supplies a second high frequency power to generate a second plasma of the first processing gas and to attract ions; and a control unit which adjusts, by controlling a total amount of the first high frequency powers, the radical amount in the second plasma and adjusts, by controlling a ratio therebetween, the ion amount therein.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Koji Maruyama, Masato Horiguchi, Tetsuri Matsuki, Akira Koshiishi
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Patent number: 9677171Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece is disclosed, where the plasma chamber is first coated using a conditioning gas and optionally, a co-gas. The conditioning gas, which is disposed within a conditioning gas container may comprise a hydride of the desired dopant species and a filler gas, where the filler gas is a hydride of a Group 4 or Group 5 element. The remainder of the conditioning gas container may comprise hydrogen gas. Following this conditioning process, a feedgas, which comprises fluorine and the desired dopant species, is introduced to the plasma chamber and ionized. Ions are then extracted from the plasma chamber and accelerated toward the workpiece, where they are implanted without being first mass analyzed. In some embodiments, the desired dopant species may be boron.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Christopher J. Leavitt, John A. Frontiero, Timothy J. Miller, Svetlana B. Radovanov
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Patent number: 9595424Abstract: An impedance matching circuit (IMC) is described. The impedance matching circuit includes a first circuit. The first circuit has an input coupled to a kilohertz (kHz) radio frequency (RF) generator. The IMC includes a second circuit. The second circuit has an input coupled to a low frequency megahertz (MHz) RF generator. The IMC includes a third circuit. The third circuit has an input coupled to a high frequency MHz RF generator. The IMC includes an output of the first, second, and third circuits coupled to an input of an RF transmission line. The first circuit and the second circuit provide isolation between a kHz RF signal sent through the first circuit and a low frequency MHz RF signal sent through the second circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Alexei Marakhtanov, Felix Kozakevich, John Patrick Holland, Brett Jacobs
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Patent number: 9596744Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power supply is provided. The RF power supply includes a first frequency oscillator for generating a first frequency signal and a second frequency oscillator for generating a second frequency signal. Also provided is an amplifier and a first switch connected to an output of the first frequency oscillator and a second switch connected to an output of the second frequency oscillator. An output of the first switch and the second switch are connected to an input of the amplifier. Also provided is a switch control coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The switch control is configured to enable a connection via the first and second switches from only one of the first frequency oscillator or the second frequency oscillator to the amplifier at one time. The amplifier is configured to power amplify both of the first and second frequency signals from the first and second frequency oscillators.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventor: Karl F. Leeser
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Patent number: 9530619Abstract: A filter unit 54(IN) includes a housing 82 formed of a cylindrical conductor. Further, in the housing 82, the air-core solenoid coils AL1 and BL1; the first capacitors AC1 and BC1; the troidal coils AL2 and BL2; and the second capacitors AC2 and BC2 are arranged in this sequence from top to bottom. In the vicinity of the air-core solenoid coils AL1 and BL1, a multiple number of rod-shaped comb-teeth members 86, which are extended in parallel to a coil axis direction, are provided adjacent to outer peripheries of the air-core solenoid coils AL1 and BL1 at a regular interval in a circumferential direction thereof. A comb teeth M are formed on an inner surface of each comb-teeth member 86, and the comb teeth M are inserted into winding gaps of the air-core solenoid coils AL1 and BL1.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventor: Naohiko Okunishi
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Patent number: 9396960Abstract: A main etching process of forming a recess portion in a multilayer film having a laminated film where a first film and a second film having different relative permitivities are alternately formed on a base silicon film to a preset depth and an over etching process of forming the recess portion until the base silicon film is exposed are performed by introducing a processing gas including a CF-based gas and an oxygen gas and by performing a plasma etching process. In the over etching process, a first over etching process where a flow rate ratio of the oxygen gas to the CF-based gas is increased as compared to the main etching process and a second over etching process where the flow rate ratio of the oxygen gas to the CF-based gas is reduced as compared to the first over etching process are repeatedly performed two or more times.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Kazuto Ogawa, Akira Nakagawa, Hideki Konishi
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Patent number: 9273682Abstract: A pressure pump may include a reciprocating assembly including a dynamic seal configured to be in sliding contact with a surface. The surface may be implanted with positive ions such as hydrogen ions/protons to provided reduced wear and/or greater service life of the dynamic seal. According to embodiments, a pump may include an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene dynamic seal may substantially fixed relative to a cylinder wall, and a proton impregnated reciprocating plunger may pump high pressure water or a water based fluid in a system. The pump may exhibit increased dynamic seal life.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: OMAX CorporationInventor: Darren L. Stang
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Patent number: 9257294Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing substrates are disclosed. A processing apparatus includes a chamber for generating a plasma therein, an electrode associated with the chamber, and a signal generator coupled to the electrode. The signal generator applies a DC pulse to the electrode with sufficient amplitude and sufficient duty cycle of an on-time and an off-time to cause events within the chamber. A plasma is generated from a gas in the chamber responsive to the amplitude of the DC pulse. Energetic ions are generated by accelerating ions of the plasma toward a substrate in the chamber in response to the amplitude of the DC pulse during the on-time. Some of the energetic ions are neutralized to energetic neutrals in response to the DC pulse during the off-time. Some of the energetic neutrals impact the substrate with sufficient energy to cause a chemical reaction on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Neal R. Rueger
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Patent number: 9214319Abstract: A plasma reactor and method for improved gas injection for an inductive plasma source for dry strip plasma processing are disclosed. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, gas is fed into a plasma chamber through a gas injection channel located adjacent to the side wall of the plasma chamber, rather than from the center, so that the process gas enters the plasma chamber in a close proximity to the induction coil. In particular embodiments, the process gas that enters the chamber is forced to pass through a reactive volume or active region adjacent the induction coil where efficient heating of electrons occurs, providing increased efficiency of the reactor by improving process gas flow and confinement in the heating area.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventors: Vladimir Nagorny, Charles Crapuchettes
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Patent number: 9184043Abstract: The embodiments provide apparatus and methods for removal of etch byproducts, dielectric films and metal films near the substrate bevel edge, and chamber interior to avoid the accumulation of polymer byproduct and deposited films and to improve process yield. In an exemplary embodiment, a plasma processing chamber configured to clean a bevel edge of a substrate is provided. The plasma processing chamber includes a substrate support configured to receive the substrate. The plasma processing chamber also includes a bottom edge electrode surrounding the substrate support. The bottom edge electrode and the substrate support are electrically isolated from one another by a bottom dielectric ring. A surface of the bottom edge electrode facing the substrate is covered by a bottom thin dielectric layer. The plasma processing chamber further includes a top edge electrode surrounding a top insulator plate opposing the substrate support. The top edge electrode is electrically grounded.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Gregory S. Sexton, Andrew D. Bailey, III, Andras Kuthi, Yunsang Kim
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Patent number: 9184021Abstract: Etch rate distribution non-uniformities are predicted for a succession of hardware tilt angles of the RF source applicator relative to the workpiece, and the behavior is modeled as a non-uniformity function for each one of at least two plasma reactors. An offset ?? in tilt angle ? between the non-uniformity functions of the two plasma reactors is detected. The two reactors are then matched by performing a hardware tilt in one of them through a tilt angle equal to the offset ??.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Gaurav Saraf, Xiawan Yang, Farid Abooameri, Wen Teh Chang, Anisul H. Khan, Bradley Scott Hersch
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Patent number: 9171734Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber accommodating a substrate; first and second process gas supply units that respectively supply first and second process gases from above and laterally relative to the substrate; and first and second reactive gas supply units that respectively supply first and second reactive gases from above and laterally relative to the substrate. A control unit controls the other units such that a total amount of the first and second process gases supplied to a center portion of the substrate is different from that supplied to a peripheral portion of the substrate, or a total amount of the first and second reactive gases supplied to the center portion of the substrate is different from that supplied to the peripheral portion of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.Inventors: Kazuyuki Toyoda, Shun Matsui
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Patent number: 9171724Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber which processes a substrate, a conductive substrate support table which is installed within the process chamber, a dielectric plate on which the substrate is mounted, the dielectric plate being placed on the substrate support table, a microwave generator which is installed outside the process chamber, and a microwave supplying unit which supplies a microwave generated by the microwave generator into the process chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAIELECTRIC INC.Inventors: Shinji Yashima, Atsushi Umekawa
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Patent number: 9155184Abstract: Plasma generation source employing dielectric conduit assemblies having removable interfaces and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. The plasma generation source (PGS) includes an enclosure body having multiple internal surfaces forming an internal chamber having input and output ports to respectively receive a precursor gas for generation of plasma and to discharge the plasma. A dielectric conduit assembly may guide the gas and the plasma away from the internal surface where particulates may be generated. The dielectric conduit assembly includes a first and second cross-conduit segments. The dielectric conduit assembly further includes parallel conduit segments extending from the second cross-conduit segment to distal ends which removably align with first cross-conduit interfaces of the first cross-conduit segment without leaving gaps. In this manner, the dielectric conduit assembly is easily serviced, and reduces and contains particulate generation away from the output port.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Siu Tang Ng, Changhun Lee, Huutri Dao, Roberto Cesar Cotlear
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Patent number: 9053895Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: FEI COMPANYInventors: Sean Kellogg, Anthony Graupera, N. William Parker, Andrew B. Wells, Mark W. Utlaut, Walter Skoczylas, Gregory A. Schwind, Shouyin Zhang, Noel Smith
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Patent number: 9039865Abstract: The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus in which ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are arranged closed to and along an induction antenna 1 composed of an inner circumference coil 1a and an outer circumference coil 1b. Ring-like conductors 8a and 8b are each characterized in that the radius from the center of the apparatus and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor body varies along the circumferential angle of the coils. Since the mutual inductances between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the induction antenna 1 and between the ring-like conductors 8a and 8b and the plasma along the circumferential position are controlled, it becomes possible to compensate for the coil currents varied along the circumference of the coils of the induction antenna 1, and to improve the non-uniformity in the circumferential direction of the current in the generated plasma.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Ken Yoshioka, Motohiko Yoshigai, Ryoji Nishio, Tadayoshi Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 9039866Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a web of a plurality of conductive structures which may be used for example to produce an antenna, electronic circuit, photovoltaic module or the like. The method involved simultaneously patterning at least one pattern in a conductive layer using a plurality of registration marks. The registration marks serve to align and guide the creation of the plurality of conductive structures. Optical brighteners may also be utilized within the adhesive layer and the registration marks of the present invention in order to detect the location where conductive structures are to be placed.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Ian J. Forster, Christian K. Oelsner, Robert Revels, Benjamin Kingston, Peter Cockerell, Norman Howard
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Patent number: 9035553Abstract: A hybrid plasma reactor includes a reactor body having a plasma discharge space, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet; a hybrid plasma source including an inductive antenna inductively coupled to plasma formed in the plasma discharge space and a primary winding coil transformer coupled to the plasma and wound in a magnetic core; and an alternating switching power supply for supplying plasma generation power to the inductive antenna and the primary winding coil. The hybrid plasma reactor induces a plasma discharge using the inductively coupled plasma source and the transformer coupled plasma source, so that it has a wide operational area from a low pressure area to a high pressure area.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Inventor: Dae-Kyu Choi
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Publication number: 20150129133Abstract: The plasma device is disclosed, the plasma device including a chamber configured to accommodate a substrate, and a plasma source formed at one side of the chamber to excite a reaction gas of the substrate introduced into the chamber in a plasma state, wherein the plasma source moves in parallel with the substrate, whereby the substrate can be uniformly plasma-processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicants: ALLIED TECHFINDERS CO., LTD.Inventor: Kee Won SUH
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Publication number: 20150126036Abstract: The invention is an plasma processing system with a plasma chamber for processing semiconductor substrates, comprising: a radio frequency or microwave power generator coupled to the plasma chamber; a low pressure vacuum system coupled to the plasma chamber; and at least one chamber surface that is configured to be exposed to a plasma, the chamber surface comprising: a YxOyFz layer that comprises Y in a range from 20 to 40%, O in a range from ?60%, and F in a range of ?75%. Alternatively, the YxOyFz layer can comprise Y in a range from 25 to 40%, O in a range from 40 to 55%, and F in a range of 5 to 35% or Y in a range from 25 to 40%, O in a range from 5 to 40%, and F in a range of 20 to 70%.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: Jianping Zhao
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Patent number: 9016236Abstract: A high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition tool and the method for use of the tool is disclosed. The chemical vapor deposition tool allows for angular adjustment of the pedestal that holds the substrate being manufactured. Electromagnets serve as an “electron filter” that allows for angular deposition of material onto the substrate. Methods for fabrication of trench structures and asymmetrical spacers in a semiconductor manufacturing process are also disclosed. The angular deposition saves process steps, thereby reducing time, complexity, and cost of manufacture, while improving overall product yield.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daewon Yang, Kangguo Cheng, Pavel Smetana, Richard S. Wise, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
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Patent number: 8999105Abstract: An etch mask is formed on a substrate. The substrate is positioned in an enclosure configured to shield an interior of the enclosure from electromagnetic fields exterior to the enclosure; and the substrate is etched in the enclosure, including removing a portion of the substrate to form a structure having at least a portion that is isolated and/or suspended over the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Marko Loncar, Mikhail D. Lukin, Michael J. Burek, Nathalie de Leon, Brendan Shields
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Patent number: 8999104Abstract: A plasma source includes multiple ring plasma chambers, multiple primary windings, multiple ferrites and a control system. Each one of the primary windings is wrapped around an exterior one of the ring plasma chambers. Each one of the plurality of the ring plasma chamber passes through a respective portion of the plurality of ferrites. The control system is coupled to each of the ring plasma chambers. A system and method for generating and using a plasma are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Ali Shajii, Richard Gottscho, Souheil Benzerrouk, Andrew Cowe, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, William R. Entley
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Publication number: 20150090401Abstract: An electrode having a first portion and a second portion is formed over a substrate to couple to a bias RF power. The first portion is configured to compensate for an electric field at the second portion to even out a distribution of an etching strength over a workpiece placed over the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Banqiu Wu, Saravjeet Singh, Amitabh Sabharwal, Ajay Kumar
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Patent number: 8992725Abstract: The plasma reactor of the invention is intended for treating the surfaces of objects such as semiconductor wafers and large display panels, or the like, with plasma. The main part of the plasma reactor is an array of RF antenna cells, which are deeply immersed into the interior of the working chamber. Each antenna cell has a ferromagnetic core with a heat conductor and a coil wound onto the core. The core and coil are sealed in the protective cap. Deep immersion of the antenna cells having the structure of the invention provides high efficiency of plasma excitation, while the arrangement of the plasma cells and possibility of their individual adjustment provide high uniformity of plasma distribution and possibility of adjusting plasma parameters, such as plasma density, in a wide range.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.Inventor: Valery Godyak
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Patent number: 8992724Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber which plasma-processes a sample, a first high-frequency power supply which supplies first high-frequency power for plasma generation to the processing chamber, a second high-frequency power supply which supplies second high-frequency power to a sample stage on which the sample is placed and a pulse generation device which generate first pulses for time-modulating the first high-frequency power and second pulses for time-modulating the second high-frequency power. The pulse generation device includes a control device which controls the first and second pulses so that frequency of the first pulses is higher than frequency of the second pulses and the on-period of the second pulse is contained in the on-period of the first pulse.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Shunsuke Kanazawa, Naoki Yasui, Michikazu Morimoto, Yasuo Ohgoshi
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Publication number: 20150075716Abstract: An RF plasma source has a resonator with its shorted end joined to the processing chamber ceiling and inductively coupled to two arrays of radial toroidal channels in the ceiling, the resonator having two radial zones and the two arrays of toroidal channels lying in respective ones of the radial zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Steven Lane, Yang Yang, Lawrence Wong
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Publication number: 20150075717Abstract: An RF plasma source has a resonator with its shorted end joined to the processing chamber ceiling and inductively coupled to an array of radial toroidal channels in the ceiling.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Kartik Ramaswamy, Kenneth S. Collins, Shahid Rauf, Steven Lane, Yang Yang, Lawrence Wong
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Patent number: 8980046Abstract: A top plate assembly is positioned above and spaced apart from the substrate support, such that a processing region exists between the top plate assembly and the substrate support. The top plate assembly includes a central plasma generation microchamber and a plurality of annular-shaped plasma generation microchambers positioned in a concentric manner about the central plasma generation microchamber. Adjacently positioned ones of the central and annular-shaped plasma generation microchambers are spaced apart from each other so as to form a number of axial exhaust vents therebetween. Each of the central and annular-shaped plasma generation microchambers is defined to generate a corresponding plasma therein and supply reactive constituents of its plasma to the processing region between the top plate assembly and the substrate support.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Akira Koshiishi, Peter L. G. Ventzek, Jun Shinagawa, John Patrick Holland
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Patent number: 8980049Abstract: Provided are a substrate supporting apparatus and a plasma etching apparatus having the same. There is provided a substrate supporting apparatus that can separately provide powers to a central region and an edge region by disposing an electrode supporting a substrate at the central region of the substrate supporting apparatus, and disposing an electrode receiving radio frequency (RF) power at the edge region of the substrate supporting apparatus. There is provided a substrate edge etching apparatus having the substrate supporting apparatus for removing layers or particles deposited in an edge region of a semiconductor substrate and preventing damage of a center region of the semiconductor substrate during an etching process of the substrate edge.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Charm Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Won Haeng Lee, Kwan Goo Rha, Jung Hee Lee, Chul Hee Jang, Hyang Joo Lee, Dong Wan Kim
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Patent number: 8980760Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a plasma are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method may include supplying a first RF signal having a first frequency and a first period from an RF power source to a first electrode, wherein the first period is a first integer number of first cycles at the first frequency; supplying a second RF signal having a second frequency and a second period from the RF power source to the first electrode, wherein the second period is a second integer number of second cycles at the second frequency and wherein a first multiplicative product of the first frequency and the first integer number is equal to a second multiplicative product of the second frequency and the second integer number; and controlling the phase between the first and second periods to control an ion energy distribution of the plasma formed in a process chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Ankur Agarwal, Ajit Balakrishna, Shahid Rauf
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Publication number: 20150068682Abstract: Embodiments of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactors are provided herein. In some embodiments, a dielectric window for an inductively coupled plasma reactor includes: a body including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an edge, and a center, wherein the dielectric window has a dielectric coefficient that varies spatially. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes: a process chamber having a processing volume disposed beneath a lid of the process chamber; and one or more inductive coils disposed above the lid to inductively couple RF energy into and to form a plasma in the processing volume above a substrate support disposed within the processing volume; wherein the lid is a dielectric window comprising a first side and an opposing second side that faces the processing volume, and wherein the lid has a dielectric coefficient that spatially varies to provide a varied power coupling of RF energy from the one or more inductive coils to the processing volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: SAMER BANNA, TZA-JING GUNG, VLADIMIR KNYAZIK, KYLE TANTIWONG, DAN A. MAROHL, VALENTIN N. TODOROW, STEPHEN YUEN
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Patent number: 8974630Abstract: An inductively coupled plasma processing apparatus for a large area processing includes a reaction chamber and a bending type antenna structure. The bending type antenna structure includes bending type linear antennas. Each of the bending type linear antennas has a first end, a second end and a bended portion. The bending type linear antennas are arranged horizontally in parallel with the substrate to pass through the reaction chamber inside the reaction chamber. The bending type linear antennas are spaced apart from each other. A bended portion of a bending type linear antenna is protruded out of the reaction chamber, a first end of each of the bending type linear antennas is protruded out of the reaction chamber and is coupled to an RF power, and a second end of each of the bending type linear antennas is protruded out of the reaction chamber and is coupled to a ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Sungkyunkwan UniversityInventors: Geun-Young Yeom, Young-Joon Lee, Kyong-Nam Kim
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Patent number: 8975191Abstract: There is provided a plasma etching method including a first process of etching an intermediate layer, which contains silicon and nitrogen and is positioned below a resist mask formed on a surface of a substrate, to cause a silicon layer positioned below the intermediate layer to be exposed through the resist mask and the intermediate layer, a second process of subsequently supplying a chlorine gas to the substrate to cause a reaction product to attach onto sidewalls of opening portions of the resist mask and the intermediate layer, and a third process of etching a portion of the silicon layer corresponding to the opening portion of the intermediate layer using a process gas containing sulfur and fluorine to form a recess in the silicon layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Kazuhito Tohnoe, Yusuke Hirayama, Yasuyoshi Ishiyama, Wataru Hashizume
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Patent number: 8974629Abstract: A high density RF plasma source uses a special antenna configuration to launch waves at frequencies such as 13.56 MHz. The tunability of this antenna allows one to adapt actively the coupling of the RF energy into an evolutive plasma as found in plasma processing in semiconductor manufacturing. The plasma source can be used for plasma etching, deposition, sputtering systems, space propulsion, plasma based sterilization, and plasma abatement systems. Also, the plasma source can be used with one or several process chambers, which comprise an array of magnets and RF coils too. These elements can be used for plasma confinement or active plasma control (plasma rotation) thanks to a feedback control approach, and for in situ NMR monitoring or analysis such as moisture monitoring inside a process chamber, before or after the plasma process, or for in situ NMR inspection of wafers or others work pieces.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Helyssen SARLInventors: Eric Chevalier, Philippe Guittienne
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Patent number: 8968512Abstract: Provided is a temperature adjusting mechanism, which can keep deviation of a temperature of a portion in contact with the temperature adjusting mechanism to be small by controlling the temperature accurately at a high speed. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus using such temperature adjusting mechanism is also provided. A cooling jacket (6) is provided with a cooling channel (61), and a heat lane (62). The heat lane (62) is provided with a heat receiving section (63), and a heat dissipating section (64), and seals a two-phase condensable working fluid (hereinafter referred to as the working liquid) in an annular narrow tube alternately folds back and forth therebetween. The heat dissipating section (64) is a portion to be cooled by the cooling channel (61), and the heat receiving section (63) is a portion having a temperature higher than that of the heat dissipating section (64).Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Shinya Nishimoto
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Publication number: 20150053553Abstract: The antenna has a structure that the high frequency electrode is received in a dielectric case. The high frequency electrode has a go-and-return conductor structure that two electrode conductors are disposed close to and in parallel to each other with a gap therebetween to form a rectangular plate shape as a whole, and the two electrode conductors are connected by a conductor at an end in the longitudinal direction. A high frequency current flows in the two electrode conductors in opposite directions. A plurality of openings are formed on edges of the two electrode conductors on the side of the gap, and the openings are dispersed and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the high frequency electrode. The antenna is disposed in a vacuum container in a direction that a main surface of the high frequency electrode and a surface of the substrate are substantially perpendicular to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: YASUNORI ANDO, KAZUHIKO IRISAWA, SHIGEAKI KISHIDA, MASAKI CHIBA
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Patent number: 8961694Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma generator (1) for cleaning an object. The plasma generator (1) comprises a plasma chamber (2) and a support structure (6) arranged in the plasma chamber for supporting the object (7) to be cleaned. Further, the plasma generator comprises an electromagnetic shield (5a, 5b, 5c) counteracting a flow of charged plasma particles flowing from a plasma generating region towards the object, and a plasma source (8). In addition, the plasma generator comprises an additional plasma source (9,10) to form a composition of plasma sources that are arranged to generate in the plasma generating region plasmas, respectively, that mutually interact during operation of the plasma generator so as to force plasma particles to flow in a diffusely closed flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Fokko Pieter Wieringa, Norbertus Benedictus Koster, Roland van Vliet, Hubert Adriaan van Mierlo
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Patent number: 8961736Abstract: There is provided a plasma reactor with an internal transformer. The plasma reactor comprises: a plasma chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, for providing a plasma discharging space; one or more core cylinder jackets for providing a core storage space in the plasma discharging space and forming a plasma centralized channel and a plasma decentralized channel by including one or more through-apertures; and one or more transformers each including a magnetic core with primary winding surrounding the through-aperture and installed in the core storage space, wherein the plasma discharging space comprises one or more first spatial regions to form the plasma centralized channel and one or more second spatial regions to form the plasma decentralized channel. In the plasma reactor, since the transformer is installed in the plasma chamber, energy is transferred with almost no loss from the transformer to the plasma discharging space and therefore the energy transfer efficiency is very high.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: New Power Plasma Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dae-Kyu Choi
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Patent number: 8962488Abstract: Methods for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of etching a dielectric layer includes generating a plasma by pulsing a first RF source signal having a first duty cycle; applying a second RF bias signal having a second duty cycle to the plasma; applying a third RF bias signal having a third duty cycle to the plasma, wherein the first, second, and third signals are synchronized; adjusting a phase variance between the first RF source signal and at least one of the second or third RF bias signals to control at least one of plasma ion density non-uniformity in the plasma or charge build-up on the dielectric layer; and etching the dielectric layer with the plasma.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Liao, Katsumasa Kawasaki, Yashaswini Pattar, Sergio Fukuda Shoji, Duy D. Nguyen, Kartik Ramaswamy, Ankur Agarwal, Phillip Stout, Shahid Rauf
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Patent number: 8961737Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus comprises a plasma generation chamber where plasma is generated by exciting a processing gas with high-frequency power applied to a coil wound around a side wall of a reaction container, a processing chamber where a specific type of processing is executed on a wafer with the plasma thus generated and a high-frequency power source capable of selectively outputting either first high-frequency power with a reference frequency or second high-frequency power with a frequency (2n+1)/2 times the reference frequency, to be applied to the coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventor: Eiichi Nishimura
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Publication number: 20150048052Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for plasma processing an article (12), the apparatus comprising: a chamber (14) for receiving an article to be processed; electrode means (16) for generating an electric field in said chamber for establishing a plasma in said chamber so that said article can be processed; generation means (24) for generating alternating electrical energy for transmission to said electrode means (18); connection means for connecting said generation means to said electrode means (20); and control means for varying the location of nodes and anti-nodes of standing waves generated in said chamber during processing, so that a plurality of standing waves are generated over time which are not coincident with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Stephen Richard Coulson, Fred Hopper, Charles Edmund King
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Patent number: 8956500Abstract: An inductively-coupled plasma processing chamber has a chamber with a ceiling. A first and second antenna are placed adjacent to the ceiling. The first antenna is concentric to the second antenna. A plasma source power supply is coupled to the first and second antenna. The plasma source power supply generates a first RF power to the first antenna, and a second RF power to the second antenna. A substrate support disposed within the chamber. The size of the first antenna and a distance between the substrate support are such that the etch rate of the substrate on the substrate support is substantially uniform.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Yuen, Kyeong-Tae Lee, Valentin Todorow, Tae Won Kim, Anisul Khan, Shashank Deshmukh
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Publication number: 20150041062Abstract: An apparatus for plasma processing a wafer is provided. A bottom plate is provided. A tubular chamber wall with a wafer aperture is adjacent to the bottom plate. A bottom removable seal provides a vacuum seal between the bottom plate and the tubular chamber wall at a first end of the tubular wall. A top plate is adjacent to the tubular chamber wall. A top removable seal provides a vacuum seal between a second end of the tubular wall and the top plate. A vertical seal is provided, where a vertical movement of the tubular wall allows the vertical seal to create a seal around the wafer aperture. A bottom alignment guide aligns the tubular chamber wall with the bottom plate. A top alignment guide aligns the top plate with the tubular chamber wall. A wafer chuck is disposed between the bottom plate and the top plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Michael C. KELLOGG, Daniel A. BROWN
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Patent number: RE45527Abstract: There is provided an inductively coupled plasma reactor. The inductively coupled plasma reactor is connected to a transformer with multiple magnetic cores and a primary winding, to transfer an electromotive force for plasma discharge to a plasma discharge chamber of a reactor body. Parts of magnetic core positioned in side the plasma discharge chamber are protected by being entirely covered by a core protecting tube. The primary winding is electrically connected to a power supply source providing radio frequency power. In the inductively coupled plasma reactor, since a number of magnetic core cross sectional parts are positioned inside the plasma discharge chamber, the efficiency of transferring the inductively coupled energy to be connected with plasma is very high.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: NEW POWER PLASMA CO., LTD.Inventor: Dae-Kyu Choi