Using Ion Beam, Ultraviolet, Or Visible Light Patents (Class 216/66)
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Patent number: 8793849Abstract: A method of fabricating a thickness shear mode (TSM) gas and organic vapor sensor having a visco-elastic polymer coating and a fundamental frequency greater than 20 MHz. The method begins by providing a piezoelectric crystal and milling a central region of the crystal. Milling the crystal creates a central oscillating region of reduced thickness surrounded by a thicker outer region. Two electrodes are then deposited in the oscillating region of the crystal—one on each side of the crystal. The oscillating region on both sides of the crystal and the electrodes are then coated with a polymer coating.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Venkat R. Bhethanabotla, Randolph D. Williams
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Patent number: 8771538Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a plasma source apparatus, and method of using the same, that is able to generate radicals and/or gas ions in a plasma generation region that is symmetrically positioned around a magnetic core element by use of an electromagnetic energy source. In general, the orientation and shape of the plasma generation region and magnetic core allows for the effective and uniform coupling of the delivered electromagnetic energy to a gas disposed in the plasma generation region. In general, the improved characteristics of the plasma formed in the plasma generation region is able to improve deposition, etching and/or cleaning processes performed on a substrate or a portion of a processing chamber that is disposed downstream of the plasma generation region.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Dmitry Lubomirsky, Jang-Gyoo Yang, Matthew Miller, Jay Pinson, Kien Chuc
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Publication number: 20140183700Abstract: A method of producing a template material for growing semiconductor materials and/or devices, comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate with a dielectric layer on the substrate; and (b) forming a pixelated pattern on the dielectric layer, the pattern comprising a plurality of discrete groups of structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2011Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventor: Wang Nang Wang
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Patent number: 8764994Abstract: A method for fabricating a sharpened needle-like emitter, the method including: electrolytically polishing an end portion of an electrically conductive emitter material so as to be tapered toward a tip portion thereof; performing a first etching in which the electrolytically polished part of the emitter material is irradiated with a charged-particle beam to form a pyramid-like sharpened part having a vertex including the tip portion; performing a second etching in which the tip portion is further sharpened through field-assisted gas etching, while observing a crystal structure at the tip portion by a field ion microscope and keeping the number of atoms at a leading edge of the tip portion at a predetermined number or less; and heating the emitter material to arrange the atoms at the leading edge of the tip portion of the sharpened part in a pyramid shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Science CorporationInventors: Yasuhiko Sugiyama, Kazuo Aita, Fumio Aramaki, Tomokazu Kozakai, Osamu Matsuda, Anto Yasaka
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Patent number: 8765496Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a characteristic of a substrate or preparing a substrate for analysis are provided. One method for measuring a characteristic of a substrate includes removing a portion of a feature on the substrate using an electron beam to expose a cross-sectional profile of a remaining portion of the feature. The feature may be a photoresist feature. The method also includes measuring a characteristic of the cross-sectional profile. A method for preparing a substrate for analysis includes removing a portion of a material on the substrate proximate to a defect using chemical etching in combination with an electron beam. The defect may be a subsurface defect or a partially subsurface defect. Another method for preparing a substrate for analysis includes removing a portion of a material on a substrate proximate to a defect using chemical etching in combination with an electron beam and a light beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corp.Inventors: Mehran Nasser-Ghodsi, Mark Borowicz, Dave Bakker, Mehdi Vaez-Iravani, Prashant Aji, Rudy Garcia, Tzu Chin Chuang
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Patent number: 8764905Abstract: A method and system for cleaning lithography components including contacting a substrate having residue including organic compounds and graphitic carbon deposited on a surface thereof with hydrogen peroxide vapor. The hydrogen peroxide vapor is irradiated with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 350 nm forming hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radicals react with the residue to remove the residue from the surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Paul A. Zimmerman, Christof G. Krautschik
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Patent number: 8764952Abstract: In a method of irradiating a gas cluster ion beam on a solid surface and smoothing the solid surface, the angle formed between the solid surface and the gas cluster ion beam is chosen to be between 1° and an angle less than 30°. In case the solid surface is relatively rough, the processing efficiency is raised by first irradiating a beam at an irradiation angle ? chosen to be something like 90° as a first step, and subsequently at an irradiation angle ? chosen to be 1° to less than 30° as a second step. Alternatively, the set of the aforementioned first step and second step is repeated several times.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry LimitedInventors: Akinobu Sato, Akiko Suzuki, Emmanuel Bourelle, Jiro Matsuo, Toshio Seki, Takaaki Aoki
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Patent number: 8758637Abstract: An apparatus of removing coatings of a line-shaped body of the invention includes a non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma source with radicals controlled, having a plasma generating gas, a microwave, a micro gap; a line-shaped body holding portion for holding the line-shaped body within a range of 2 to 3 mm from an electrode to generate a plasma jet; and a moving stage for relatively moving the line-shaped body in the longitudinal direction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Hirayama, Imei Shu, Sadayuki Toda, Hisashi Koaizawa, Masaru Hori
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Patent number: 8734663Abstract: A method for removing species from a substrate includes arranging a purge ring in a chamber proximate to a pedestal. The purge ring includes an inlet portion and an exhaust portion. The inlet portion defines an inlet plenum and an inlet baffle. The inlet baffle includes a continuous slit that is substantially continuous around a peripheral arc not less than about 270°. The exhaust portion includes an exhaust channel that is located substantially opposite the inlet baffle. The method further includes supplying ozone to the inlet plenum; at least partially defining a ring hole space having a periphery using the inlet portion and the exhaust portion; conveying gas from the inlet plenum into the ring hole space using the inlet baffle; conveying gas and other matter out of a purge space using the exhaust portion; and inhibiting deposition of material evolved from the substrate during curing using the purge ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Smargiassi, Stephen Yu-Hong Lau, George D. Kamian, Ming Xi
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Patent number: 8728286Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sample for an atom probe analysis of the invention is made one going through a step of manufacturing a concave/convex structure in both of a base needle and a transplantation sample piece by an etching working of an FIB, a step of jointing mutual members, and a step of bonding such that the concave/convex structure becomes a mesh form by a deposition working of the FIB.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: SII Nano Technology Inc.Inventor: Takashi Kaito
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Patent number: 8721907Abstract: A system and a method for milling and inspecting an object. The method may include performing at least one iteration of a sequence that includes: milling, by a particle beam, a first surface of the object, during a first surface milling period; obtaining, by an electron detector, an image of a second surface of the object during at least a majority of the first surface milling period; wherein the object is expected to comprise an element of interest (EOI) that is positioned between the first and second surfaces; milling, by the particle beam, the second surface of the object during a second surface milling period; wherein each of the first surface milling period and the second surface milling period has a duration that exceeds a long duration threshold; obtaining by the electron detector an image of the first surface of the object during at least a majority of the second surface milling period.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Camtek Ltd.Inventors: Dimitry Boguslavsky, Colin Smith
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Patent number: 8715472Abstract: A substrate processing method may include forming a plasma; extracting ions from the plasma and accelerating the ions to have uniform or substantially uniform directivity using a grid system; irradiating the ions at a reflector, wherein the reflector includes a plurality of reflecting plates each having a metal plate and an insulating layer on the metal plate, wherein the reflecting plates are parallel or substantially parallel such that the insulating layers are exposed to the ions; reflecting the ions incident on the reflecting plates away from the insulating layers of the reflecting plates; colliding the ions reflected away from the insulating layers with the metal plates to convert the ions into neutral beams; and irradiating the neutral beams onto a substrate to process the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung-Wook Hwang, Chul-Ho Shin
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Patent number: 8709269Abstract: A method and a system for obtaining an image of a cross section of a specimen, the method includes: milling the specimen so as to expose a cross section of the specimen, in which the cross section comprises at least one first portion made of a first material and at least one second portion made of a second material; smoothing the cross section; performing gas assisted etching of the cross section so as generate a topography difference between the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion of the cross section; coating the cross section with a thin layer of conductive material; and obtaining an image of the cross section; wherein the milling, smoothing, performing, coating and obtaining are performed while the specimen is placed in a vacuum chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Applied Materials Israel, Ltd.Inventor: Dror Shemesh
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Patent number: 8691700Abstract: A method of etching a substrate is described. In one embodiment, the method includes preparing a mask layer having a pattern formed therein on or above at least a portion of a substrate, etching a feature pattern into the substrate from the pattern in the mask layer using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB), and controlling a sidewall profile of the feature pattern etched into the substrate by adjusting a beam divergence of the GCIB.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: TEL Epion Inc.Inventors: John J. Hautala, Michael Graf
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Patent number: 8691103Abstract: A method of treating a workpiece is described. The method comprises computing correction data from metrology data related to a workpiece surface profile, adjusting the surface profile in accordance with the correction data using a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB), and further adjusting the surface profile by performing an etching process following the GCIB adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: TEL Epion Inc.Inventor: John J. Hautala
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Publication number: 20140083976Abstract: A cluster beam generating method that generates a cluster beam includes steps of mixing a gas source material and a liquid source material in a mixer; supplying a cluster beam including clusters originating from the gas source material and clusters originating from the liquid source material that are mixed in the mixer from a nozzle; and adjusting a temperature of the nozzle using a temperature adjusting portion that adjusts a temperature of the nozzle, thereby controlling a ratio of the clusters originating from the gas source material and the clusters originating from the liquid source material in the cluster beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicants: Tokyo Electron Limited, HYOGO PREFECTUREInventors: Noriaki TOYODA, Isao YAMADA, Masaki NARUSHIMA
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Patent number: 8663491Abstract: High quantum yield InP nanocrystals are used in the bio-technology, bio-medical, and photovoltaic, specifically IV, III-V and III-VI nanocrystal technological applications. InP nanocrystals typically require post-generation HF treatment. Combining microwave methodologies with the presence of a fluorinated ionic liquid allows Fluorine ion etching without the hazards accompanying HF. Growing the InP nanocrystals in the presence of the ionic liquid allows in-situ etching to be achieved. The optimization of the PL QY is achieved by balancing growth and etching rates in the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey F. Strouse, Derek D. Lovingood
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Patent number: 8648316Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus (101) for a sample in an ion beam etching process, including, a sample stage (102) for arranging the sample, a coolant receptacle (120) containing a coolant, at least one thermal conduction element (106a, 106b) that connects the sample stage (102) to the coolant, a cooling finger (105) connected to the thermal conduction element (106a, 106b), the cooling finger (105) comprising a conduit (130, 131) through which coolant can flow and which is connectable to the coolant receptacle (120). The invention further relates to a method of adjusting the temperature of a sample in an ion beam etching process, including mounting a sample on a coolable sample stage (102), aligning the sample on the sample stage (102), and cooling the sample by coolant directed through a conduit (130, 131) of a cooling finger.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Thomas Pfeifer, Rainer Wogritsch
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Publication number: 20140038393Abstract: A method of processing a substrate includes performing a first exposure that comprises generating a plasma containing reactive gas ions in a plasma chamber and generating a bias voltage between the substrate and the plasma chamber. The method also includes providing a plasma sheath modifier having an aperture disposed between the plasma and substrate and operable to direct the reactive gas ions toward the substrate, and establishing a pressure differential between the plasma chamber and substrate region while the reactive gas ions are directed onto the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Ludovic Godet, Xianfeng Lu, Deepak A. Ramappa
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Patent number: 8636911Abstract: Two methods of fabricating a MEMS scanning mirror having a tunable resonance frequency are described. The resonance frequency of the mirror is set to a particular value by mass removal from the backside of the mirror during fabrication.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignees: MagIC Technologies, Inc., Advanced Numicro Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jun Chen, Guomin Mao, Tom Zhong, Wei Cao, Yee-Chung Fu, Chyu-Jiuh Torng
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Patent number: 8636913Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method of forming a magnetic head while ensuring residues do not negatively impact the magnetic head. In particular, when performing a RIE process to remove DLC, oxygen gas can leave residues that will negatively impact the RIE process performed on the next substrate to enter the chamber. By utilizing CO2 rather than O2, the residues will not be created and therefore will not impact processing of the next substrate that enters the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Guomin Mao, Satyanarayana Myneni
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Publication number: 20140023849Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional structure. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: applying to or introducing into a carrier element (1; 7; 16) particles (2), a plurality of at least partially interlinked cavities being formed between the particles (2) and the particles (2) coming into contact in points of contact, and interconnecting the particles (2) in the points of contact by coating the system consisting of particles and the carrier element, the coat (4) produced during coating penetrating the cavities at least to some extent. The method according to the invention allows the production of three-dimensional structures with little effort.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: Thomas Lisec, Mato Knez
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Publication number: 20140020556Abstract: A mass separation method utilizing a turbomolecular pump includes providing a gas, having analytes and ambient molecules, to an inlet chamber for allowing flow of gas into the pump, pulling gas into a pump chamber via motion of at least one of a rotor and a stator, positioning the rotor and stator such that the gas flows around an outer surface of one of the rotor or stator, and then inward toward a central axis and then toward a gas outlet, and wherein one or more target molecular or atomic species that are heavier than the ambient molecules in the gas at the inlet are passed through the chamber via the rotor and stator and a partial pressure of analytes in a gas at the outlet is increased by a larger factor than the ambient molecules at the outlet, resulting in an increase in the number analytes versus ambient molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Honeywell International Inc.
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Patent number: 8632687Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electron beam induced etching of a layer contaminated with gallium, with the method steps of providing at least one first halogenated compound as an etching gas at the position at which an electron beam impacts on the layer, and providing at least one second halogenated compound as a precursor gas for removing of the gallium from this position.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMS GmbHInventors: Nicole Auth, Petra Spies, Rainer Becker, Thorsten Hofmann, Klaus Edinger
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Patent number: 8628672Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer having a magnetic writer pole with a short effective throat height is provided. In an embodiment, a writer structure comprising a magnetic writer pole having a trailing bevel and a nonmagnetic stack on the top surface of the writer pole is provided. A dielectric write gap layer comprising alumina is deposited over the trailing bevel section and the nonmagnetic stack; and at least one etch stop layer is deposited over the dielectric write gap layer. A layer of nonmagnetic fill material is deposited over the etch stop layer and to form a nonmagnetic bevel by performing a dry etch process. The etch stop layer(s) are removed from the short throat section; and a trailing shield is deposited over the short throat section, nonmagnetic bevel, and nonmagnetic stack top surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Weimin Si, Ying Hong, Zhigang Bai, Yunhe Huang, Fenglin Liu, Hong Zhang, Jikou Zhou, Xiaoyu Yang, Yuan Yao, Iulica Zana, Feng Liu, Ling Wang
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Patent number: 8623230Abstract: The present method relates to processes for the removal of a material from a sample by a gas chemical reaction activated by a charged particle beam. The method is a multiple step process wherein in a first step a gas is supplied which, when a chemical reaction between the gas and the material is activated, forms a non-volatile material component such as a metal salt or a metaloxide. In a second consecutive step the reaction product of the first chemical reaction is removed from the sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMS GmbHInventors: Nicole Auth, Petra Spies, Tristan Bret, Rainer Becker, Thorsten Hofmann, Klaus Edinger
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Patent number: 8621744Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inductor for a microelectronic device comprises providing a substrate (610), forming a first plurality of inductor windings (111, 211, 411, 620, 2030) over the substrate, forming a magnetic inductor core (112, 212, 412, 810) over the first plurality of inductor windings, and forming a second plurality of inductor windings (113, 213, 413, 1010) over the magnetic inductor core. In another embodiment, the method comprises forming the inductor on a sacrificial substrate (1610) such that the inductor can subsequently be mounted onto a carrier tape (1810). In yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a substrate for a microelectronic device comprises forming an inductor within a build-up layer (101, 102, 103, 104) of a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Aleksandar Aleksov, Gloria Alejandra Camacho-Bragado
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Patent number: 8615868Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that includes depositing a plurality of mask layers, then forming a stripe height defining mask over the sensor layers. A first ion milling is performed just sufficiently to remove portions of the free layer that are not protected by the stripe height defining mask, the first ion milling being terminated at the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. A dielectric layer is then deposited, preferably by ion beam deposition. A second ion milling is then performed to remove portions of the pinned layer structure that are not protected by the mask, the free layer being protected during the second ion milling by the dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Yongchul Ahn, Xiaozhong Dang, Quang Le, Simon H. Liao
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Publication number: 20130341303Abstract: A jig includes a wafer including an accommodation groove configured to accommodate a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) when flip chip bonding is performed, and a separation groove formed in a bottom surface of the accommodation groove, the separation groove having a bottom surface that is spaced apart from thin films of the cMUT that face the bottom surface of the separation groove when the cMUT is seated on portions of the bottom surface of the accommodation groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Young Il KIM, Bae Hyung KIM, Jong Keun SONG, Seung Heun LEE, Kyung Il CHO, Yong Rae ROH, Won Seok LEE
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Patent number: 8607438Abstract: A read sensor for a transducer is fabricated. The transducer has a field region and a sensor region corresponding to the sensor. A sensor stack is deposited. A hybrid mask including hard and field masks is provided. The hard mask includes a sensor portion covering the sensor region and a field portion covering the field region. The field mask covers the field portion of the hard mask. The field mask exposes the sensor portion of the hard mask and part of the sensor stack between the sensor and field regions. The sensor is defined from the sensor stack in a track width direction. Hard bias layer(s) are deposited. Part of the hard bias layer(s) resides on the field mask. Part of the hard bias layer(s) adjoining the sensor region is sealed. The field mask is lifted off. The transducer is planarized.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Wei Gao, Guanxiong Li, Ming Mao, Chih-Ching Hu, Guanghong Luo, Miao Wang, Zhihong Zhang, Anup G. Roy
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Patent number: 8607439Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head are described. The method and system include providing a slider, an EAMR transducer coupled with the slider, and a top layer on the slider. The top layer includes a mirror well therein and has a substantially flat top surface. The method and system further includes providing a laser including a light-emitting surface and providing a mirror optically coupled with the laser. The laser is coupled to the top surface of the top layer external to the mirror well. The mirror has a bottom surface and a reflective surface facing the light-emitting surface of the laser. A portion of the bottom surface of the mirror is affixed to the top surface of the top layer. A portion of the mirror resides in the mirror well.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Lei Wang, Dujiang Wan
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Publication number: 20130306597Abstract: A method for processing a metal film includes adiabatically expanding a mixed gas including an oxidation gas, a complexing gas and a rare gas in a processing chamber having a vacuum exhaust device such that a gas cluster beam is generated in the processing chamber, and irradiating the gas cluster beam upon a metal film formed on a surface of a workpiece in the processing chamber such that the gas cluster beam collides on the metal film including a metal element and the metal film is etched.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Isao Gunji, Hidenori Miyoshi, Kenichi Hara
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Patent number: 8580130Abstract: Laser-assisted apparatus and methods for performing nanoscale material processing, including nanodeposition of materials, can be controlled very precisely to yield both simple and complex structures with sizes less than 100 nm. Optical or thermal energy in the near field of a photon (laser) pulse is used to fabricate submicron and nanometer structures on a substrate. A wide variety of laser material processing techniques can be adapted for use including, subtractive (e.g., ablation, machining or chemical etching), additive (e.g., chemical vapor deposition, selective self-assembly), and modification (e.g., phase transformation, doping) processes. Additionally, the apparatus can be integrated into imaging instruments, such as SEM and TEM, to allow for real-time imaging of the material processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Samuel S. Mao, Costas P. Grigoropoulos, David J. Hwang, Andrew M. Minor
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Patent number: 8568602Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor that decreases area resistance and decreases MR ratio of the sensor by eliminating any oxide formation in the capping layer of the sensor. The method includes forming a sensor stack having a multi-layer capping structure formed there-over. The multi-layer capping structure can include first, second, third and fourth layers. The second layer is constructed of a material that is not easily oxidized and which is different from the first layer. The sensor can be formed using a mask that includes a carbon hard mask. After the sensor stack has been formed by ion milling, the hard mask can be removed by reactive ion etching. Then, a cleaning process is performed to remove the second, third and fourth layers of the capping layer structure using an end point detection method such as secondary ion mass spectrometry to detect the presence of the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Koji Sakamoto, Atsushi Katou, Takao Yonekawa, Norihiro Ookawa, Kouichi Nishioka, Kouji Okazaki
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Patent number: 8568605Abstract: A method for forming nanometer-sized patterns and pores in a membrane is described. The method comprises incorporating a reactive material onto the membrane, the reactive material being a material capable of lowering an amount of energy required for forming a pore and/or pattern by irradiating the membrane material with an electron beam, thus leading to a faster pore and/or pattern formation.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Axel Scherer, Andrew P. Homyk
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Patent number: 8567041Abstract: A heated resonator includes a base substrate, a piezoelectric piece having a thickness and a top side and a bottom side, a first electrode on the top side, a second electrode opposite the first electrode on the bottom side, an anchor connected between the piezoelectric piece and the base substrate, and a heater on the piezoelectric material. A thermal resistor region in the piezoelectric piece is between the heater and the anchor.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventor: Christopher S. Roper
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Patent number: 8557710Abstract: A method and system for performing gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etch processing of metal-containing material is described. In particular, the GCIB etch processing includes forming a GCIB that contains a halogen element.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: TEL Epion Inc.Inventors: Yan Shao, Martin D. Tabat, Christopher K. Olsen, Ruairidh Maccrimmon
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Patent number: 8551348Abstract: A magnetic recording medium has magnetic patterns formed of a patterned ferromagnetic layer, and a non-magnetic layer including a component of the ferromagnetic layer and separating the magnetic patterns, in which a thickness “a” of the non-magnetic layer and a thickness “b” of the magnetic patterns satisfy a relationship of: a<b.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yosuke Isowaki, Satoshi Shirotori, Yoshiyuki Kamata, Kaori Kimura, Masatoshi Sakurai
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Patent number: 8546264Abstract: A method for silicon micromachining techniques based on high aspect ratio reactive ion etching with gas chopping has been developed capable of producing essentially scallop-free, smooth, sidewall surfaces. The method uses precisely controlled, alternated (or chopped) gas flow of the etching and deposition gas precursors to produce a controllable sidewall passivation capable of high anisotropy. The dynamic control of sidewall passivation is achieved by carefully controlling fluorine radical presence with moderator gasses, such as CH4 and controlling the passivation rate and stoichiometry using a CF2 source. In this manner, sidewall polymer deposition thicknesses are very well controlled, reducing sidewall ripples to very small levels. By combining inductively coupled plasmas with controlled fluorocarbon chemistry, good control of vertical structures with very low sidewall roughness may be produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Deirdre Olynick, Ivo Rangelow, Weilun Chao
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Patent number: 8545710Abstract: An ion radiation damage prediction method includes a parameter computation step of computing the collision position and the incidence angle of an incident ion hitting a fabricated object by considering a transport path of the ion and by adopting the Monte Carlo method which takes distributions of flux quantities, incidence energies and angles of incident ions as input parameters; and a defect-distribution computation step of searching for data by referring to information found at the parameter computation step and databases created in advance, the databases storing distributions of quantities of crystalline defects having an effect on the fabricated object, ion reflection probabilities and ion penetration depths, finding the penetration depth and location of the incident ion based on the data found in the search operation, and the incidence energy and angle of the incident ion, and computing a distribution of defects in the fabricated object from the penetration depth and location.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Nobuyuki Kuboi, Shoji Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8540892Abstract: High quantum yield InP nanocrystals are used in the bio-technology, bio-medical, and photovoltaic, specifically IV, III-V and III-VI nanocrystal technological applications. InP nanocrystals typically require post-generation HF treatment. Combining microwave methodologies with the presence of a fluorinated ionic liquid allows Fluorine ion etching without the hazards accompanying HF. Growing the InP nanocrystals in the presence of the ionic liquid allows in-situ etching to be achieved. The optimization of the PL QY is achieved by balancing growth and etching rates in the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey F. Strouse, Derek D. Lovingood
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Patent number: 8540852Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for manufacturing a magnetoresistive device which are suitable for manufacturing a high-quality magnetoresistive device by reducing damages caused during the processing of a multilayer magnetic film as a component of the magnetoresistive device, thereby preventing deterioration of magnetic characteristics due to such damages. Specifically disclosed is a method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive device, which includes processing a multilayer magnetic film by performing a reactive ion etching on a substrate which is provided with the multilayer magnetic film as a component of the magnetoresistive device. This method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive device includes irradiating the multilayer magnetic film with an ion beam after the reactive ion etching.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Canon Anelva CorporationInventors: Naoki Watanabe, Yoshimitsu Kodaira, David D. Djayaprawira, Hiroki Maehara
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Publication number: 20130234563Abstract: An energy harvesting and storage system includes an array of piezoelectric electrodes, in which the piezoelectric electrodes generate electrical energy from mechanical displacements of the piezoelectric electrodes; and an array of capacitor electrodes disposed in proximity to the piezoelectric electrodes, in which the array of capacitor electrodes stores a portion of the energy generated by the piezoelectric electrodes. An energy system includes a substrate including an array of micro-post electrodes connected to a cathode layer of the substrate; an isolation material covering the array of micro-post electrodes; and an anode layer including electrodes filling the remaining region between the isolation material-covered micro-post electrodes, in which the anode layer, electrodes, isolation material, micro-post electrodes, and substrate are monolithically coupled.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
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Patent number: 8525139Abstract: A wafer is provided into an entrance load lock chamber. A vacuum is created in the entrance load lock chamber. The wafer is transported to a processing tool. The wafer is processed in a process chamber to provide a processed wafer, wherein the processing forms halogen residue. A degas step is provided in the process chamber after processing the wafer. The processed wafer is transferred into a degas chamber. The processed wafer is treated in the degas chamber with UV light and a flow of gas comprising at least one of ozone, oxygen, or H2O. The flow of gas is stopped. The UV light is stopped. The processed wafer is removed from the degas chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Harmeet Singh, Sanket Sant, Shang-I Chou, Vahid Vahedi, Raphael Casaes, Seetharaman Ramachandran
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Patent number: 8518279Abstract: A method for providing a capping layer configured for an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) head including at least one slider. The method comprises etching a substrate having a top surface using an etch to form a trench in the substrate, the trench having a first surface at a first angle from the top surface and a second surface having a second angle from the top surface. The method further comprises providing a protective coating exposing the second surface and covering the first surface, removing a portion of the substrate including the second surface to form a laser cavity within the substrate configured to fit a laser therein, and providing a reflective layer on the first surface to form a mirror, the cavity and mirror being configured for alignment of the laser to the laser cavity and to the mirror and for bonding the laser to the laser cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Lei Wang, Pezhman Monadgemi
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Patent number: 8505190Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an inertial sensor. The method of manufacturing an inertial sensor 100 includes (A) applying a polymer 120 to a base substrate 110, (B) patterning the polymer 120 so as to form an opening part 125 in the polymer 120, (C) completing a cap 130 by forming a cavity 115 on the base substrate 110 exposed fro the opening part 125 through an etching process in a thickness direction, and (D) bonding the cap 130 to a device substrate 140 by using a polymer 120, whereby the polymer 120 is applied to the base substrate 110 in a constant thickness D3, such that the cap 130 may be easily bonded to the device substrate 140 by using the polymer 120.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun Kee Lee, Tae Joon Park, Sang Kee Yoon, Hyung Jae Park, Yeong Gyu Lee, Heung Woo Park
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Patent number: 8506828Abstract: A method and system for fabricating a read sensor on a substrate for a read transducer is described. A read sensor stack is deposited on the substrate. A mask is provided on the on the read sensor stack. The mask has a pattern that covers a first portion of the read sensor stack corresponding to the read sensor, covers a second portion of the read sensor stack distal from the read sensor, and exposes a third portion of the read sensor stack between the first and second portions. The read sensor is defined from the read sensor stack. A hard bias layer is deposited. An aperture free mask layer including multiple thicknesses is provided. A focused ion beam scan (FIBS) polishing step is performed on the mask and hard bias layers to remove a portion of the mask and hard bias layers based on the thicknesses.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLCInventors: Masahiro Osugi, Guanghong Luo, Ronghui Zhou, Danning Yang, Dujiang Wan, Ming Jiang
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Patent number: 8501629Abstract: A method of etching silicon-containing material is described and includes a SiConi™ etch having a greater or lesser flow ratio of hydrogen compared to fluorine than that found in the prior art. Modifying the flow rate ratios in this way has been found to reduce roughness of the post-etch surface and to reduce the difference in etch-rate between densely and sparsely patterned areas. Alternative means of reducing post-etch surface roughness include pulsing the flows of the precursors and/or the plasma power, maintaining a relatively high substrate temperature and performing the SiConi™ in multiple steps. Each of these approaches, either alone or in combination, serve to reduce the roughness of the etched surface by limiting solid residue grain size.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jing Tang, Nitin Ingle, Dongqing Yang
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Patent number: 8496842Abstract: A planar integrated MEMS device has a piezoelectric element on a dielectric isolation layer over a flexible element attached to a proof mass. The piezoelectric element contains a ferroelectric element with a perovskite structure formed over an isolation dielectric. At least two electrodes are formed on the ferroelectric element. An upper hydrogen barrier is formed over the piezoelectric element. Front side singulation trenches are formed at a periphery of the MEMS device extending into the semiconductor substrate. A DRIE process removes material from the bottom side of the substrate to form the flexible element, removes material from the substrate under the front side singulation trenches, and forms the proof mass from substrate material. The piezoelectric element overlaps the flexible element.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Kezhakkedath R. Udayakumar, Marie Denison, Ted S. Moise
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Patent number: 8496844Abstract: High quantum yield InP nanocrystals are used in the bio-technology, bio-medical, and photovoltaic, specifically IV, III-V and III-VI nanocrystal technological applications. InP nanocrystals typically require post-generation HF treatment. Combining microwave methodologies with the presence of a fluorinated ionic liquid allows Fluorine ion etching without the hazards accompanying HF. Growing the InP nanocrystals in the presence of the ionic liquid allows in-situ etching to be achieved. The optimization of the PL QY is achieved by balancing growth and etching rates in the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey F. Strouse, Derek D. Lovingood