Material Is An Electronic Semiconductor Device Patents (Class 219/444.1)
  • Patent number: 9691645
    Abstract: A workpiece holder includes a puck, first and second heating devices in thermal communication with respective inner and outer portions of the puck, and a thermal sink in thermal communication with the puck. The first and second heating devices are independently controllable, and the first and second heating devices are in greater thermal communication with the puck, than thermal communication of the thermal sink with the puck. A method of controlling temperature distribution of a workpiece includes flowing a heat exchange fluid through a thermal sink to establish a reference temperature to a puck, raising temperatures of radially inner and outer portions of the puck to first and second temperatures greater than the reference temperature, by activating respective first and second heating devices disposed in thermal communication with the radially inner and outer portions of the puck, and placing the workpiece on the puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Benjaminson, Dmitry Lubomirsky, Ananda Seelavanth Math, Saravanakumar Natarajan, Shubham Chourey
  • Patent number: 9691644
    Abstract: Provided is a supporting unit. The supporting unit includes: a supporting plate including a substrate on a top surface thereof; and a heater having a predetermined pattern at a bottom surface of the supporting plate and heating the supporting plate, wherein the heater includes: a first metal plating layer applied on the bottom surface of the supporting plate along the predetermined pattern; an anti-oxidation layer of a conductive material applied on the first metal plating layer along the predetermined pattern; and a second metal plating layer of a conductive material applied on the anti-oxidation layer in a portion of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Kyung Kong
  • Patent number: 9678243
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting something existed in the high temperature cavity, for detecting the glass substrate sending into or outing of the high temperature cavity, wherein, the detection device comprises a deflection probe and a detection element, the deflection probe comprises a fixed probe and the deflection probe in the same line, which is assembled at the side wall of the high temperature cavity, when the glass substrate is sending into the high temperature cavity and touching the deflection probe, the deflection probe will be connected with the detection element, the detection element will send out a electrical sensor signal for showing the glass substrate is push into the cavity. Therefore, it can be determined in time that the glass substrate and the other elements are still existed in the high temperature cavity or not with some simple machines or detection elements, the detecting process is timely and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Song Wang
  • Patent number: 9659765
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for processing a dielectric film on a substrate with UV energy. In one embodiment, a precursor film is deposited on the substrate, and the precursor film includes a plurality of porogen molecules. The precursor film is first exposed to UV energy at a first temperature to initiate a cross-linking process. After a first predetermined time, the temperature of the precursor film is increased to a second temperature for a second predetermined time to remove porogen molecules and to continue the cross-linking process. The resulting film is a porous low-k dielectric film having improved elastic modulus and hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kang Sub Yim, Mahendra Chhabra, Kelvin Chan, Alexandros T. Demos, Priyanka Dash
  • Patent number: 9661726
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an insulation machine platform, a substrate-contact type apparatus, and a static electricity elimination method. The insulation machine platform includes: a machine platform body including at least one vent hole, and at least one static electricity elimination device; the at least one vent hole corresponds to the at least one static electricity elimination device being located at a position corresponding to the at least one vent hole, respectively, wherein the machine platform body has a supporting surface, underneath which the static electricity elimination device is located, for receiving a substrate. The substrate-contact type apparatus includes the insulation machine platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Yanming Lv, Xianxue Duan, Dezhi Xu
  • Patent number: 9475983
    Abstract: A fluorescence light emitting element includes a phosphor layer that includes phosphors and a binder made of an inorganic material. A thermal conductivity B of the binder is larger than 1.88 times a thermal conductivity A of the phosphors. When the volume of the phosphors included in the phosphor layer is X and the volume of the binder included in the phosphor layer is Y, a relationship of X/Y>1/2 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kuroi, Toshiaki Hashizume
  • Patent number: 9466518
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device is provided in which there is no concern that a plate-shaped sample may be deformed when adsorbing the plate-shaped sample or when detaching the plate-shaped sample, the temperature of the plate-shaped sample is uniformized, and particles are not easily produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Maeta, Mamoru Kosakai, Yukio Miura, Takeshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9392643
    Abstract: An exemplary method for manufacturing a heating plate for a substrate support assembly includes forming holes in at least one sheet, printing a slurry of conductor powder, or pressing a precut metal foil, or spraying a slurry of conductor powder, on the at least one sheet to form the planar heater zones, the power supply lines, and power return lines. The holes in the at least one sheet are filled with a slurry of conductor powder to form power supply and power return vias. The sheets are then aligned, pressed, and bonded to form the heating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Patent number: 9372396
    Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus and manufacturing method can lead to mechanical stress being formed in a substrate to which an imprint pattern is being applied. This may cause strain within the substrate leading to misalignment of a subsequent pattern with an earlier pattern in a part of the substrate, which is strained. An apparatus and method is disclosed which allows for stress relaxation in the substrate prior to further patterning to reduce, minimize or prevent such misalignment from residual strain. This is achieved by locally unclamping a portion of substrate (including optionally the entire substrate) from a corresponding portion of substrate holder so that mechanical stress leading to local strain may relax prior to further patterning. To overcome residual frictional force between the substrate and substrate holder, the substrate and substrate holder may be physically separated prior to further patterning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Yvonne Wendela Kruijt-Stegeman, Andre Bernardus Jeunink, Johannes Petrus Martinus Bernardus Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 9338829
    Abstract: A heated platen with improved temperature uniformity is generally described. Various examples provide a platen portion with a metallization layer thermally coupled thereto. An electrical contact may be connected to the metallization layer and configured to conduct an electric current for heating the metallization layer and the platen portion. The electrical contact may include an electrical conductor and a resistive heating element that is configured to heat up when electric current flows therethrough, thereby creating a thermal block that reduces an amount of heat that is absorbed into the electrical contact from the platen portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger B. Fish, Steven Anella
  • Patent number: 9252040
    Abstract: To provide an electrostatic chuck, including: a ceramic dielectric substrate having a first major surface on which an object to be processed is mounted, and a second major surface on a side opposite the first major surface, the ceramic dielectric substrate being a polycrystalline ceramic sintered body; and an electrode layer interposed between the first major surface and the second major surface of the ceramic dielectric substrate, the electrode layer being integrally sintered with the ceramic dielectric substrate, the ceramic dielectric substrate including a first dielectric layer between the electrode layer and the first major surface, and a second dielectric layer between the electrode layer and the second major surface, and at least the first dielectric layer of the ceramic dielectric substrate having an infrared spectral transmittance in terms of a thickness of 1 millimeter (mm) of not less than 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Anada, Takuma Wada
  • Patent number: 9245767
    Abstract: An anneal module for annealing semiconductor material wafers and similar substrates reduces particle contamination and oxygen ingress while providing uniform heating including for 500° C. processes. The anneal module may include a process chamber formed in a metal body having internal cooling lines. A hot plate has a pedestal supported on a thermal choke on the body. A gas distributor in the lid over the hot plate flows gas uniformly over the wafer. A transfer mechanism moves a hoop to shift the wafer between the hot plate and a cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Steffan Francischetti, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, Paul Wirth, Robert B. Moore
  • Patent number: 9224626
    Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly for use in semiconductor processing includes thermally securing a heater substrate to an application substrate; and applying a layered heater to the heater substrate after the heater substrate is secured to the application substrate. The application of the layered heater includes applying a first dielectric layer onto the heater substrate, applying a resistive heating layer onto the first dielectric layer, and applying a second dielectric layer onto the resistive heating layer. The heater substrate defines a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is matched to a coefficient of thermal expansion of at least one of the first dielectric layer and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the resistive heating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jacob R. Lindley, Dean J. Meyer, Alexander D. Glew
  • Patent number: 9209049
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber having an interior volume with an upper portion and a lower portion, a cooling source disposed in the upper portion of the interior volume, a heating source opposing the cooling source, a magnetically movable substrate support that moves between the upper portion and the lower the portion, and a plurality of sensors coupled to the chamber to detect the position of the substrate support relative to the heating source and the cooling source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Khurshed Sorabji, Alexander N. Lerner
  • Patent number: 9123757
    Abstract: A heating device 10 includes a ceramic base 20, a resistance heating element 22, and a hollow shaft 40. The ceramic base 20 includes a central portion 20a and a peripheral portion 20b. The resistance heating element 22 is designed in such a manner that the density of heating in the central portion 20a is 1.4 to 2.0 times that in the peripheral portion 20b. The hollow shaft 40 includes a first section 41 and a second section 42. The thickness tb1 of the first section 41 is 6 to 10 mm. The thickness tb2 of the second section 42 is 0.3 to 0.5 times the thickness tb1 of the first section 41. The length of the first section 41 is 0.4 to 0/8 times the overall length of the hollow shaft 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Unno, Junya Waki
  • Patent number: 9089007
    Abstract: Methods and substrate processing systems are provided for controlling substrate heating efficiency and generating a desired temperature profile on the surface of a substrate when the substrate is disposed on a substrate support surface of a substrate support assembly. The substrate support assembly is provided with minimum software control and hardware requirement and includes a heating element comprised of multiple heating elements sections. The heating element is connected to a power source for adjusting the temperature outputs of the multiple heating element sections and providing adjustable multi-heating zones and desired temperature distribution over the substrate support surface of the substrate support assembly within a process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yao-Hung Yang, Jeonghoon Oh, Frank F. Hooshdaran, Tom K. Cho, Tao Hou
  • Patent number: 9064911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a substrate support assembly includes a pedestal, a chuck connected to the pedestal, a cooling plate structure thermally coupled with the chuck, a heater thermally coupled with the cooling plate structure, and a controller configured to control the cooling plate structure while controlling the heater during processing of a substrate on the chuck. The method includes cooling a substrate support with a cooling plate structure while heating the cooling plate structure with a heater thermally coupled with the cooling plate structure, monitoring the performance of the cooling plate structure and the heater, and regulating the performance of the cooling plate structure and the heater to maintain the substrate support at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Shambhu N. Roy, Matt Cheng-hsiung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20150144263
    Abstract: A substrate heating pedestal for a process chamber for processing substrates is described. The pedestal comprises an annular plate comprising a surface having an array of recesses. A plurality of ceramic balls are each positioned in a recess on the surface of the annular plate to define a substrate receiving surface. A heating element is embedded in the annular plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Martin RIKER, Wei W. WANG
  • Publication number: 20150136755
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for thermally processing a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a substrate support, a beam source having a fast axis for emitting a beam along an optical path intersecting the substrate support, and a homogenizer disposed along the optical path between the beam source and the substrate support. The homogenizer comprises a first lens array, and a second lens array, wherein lenses of the second lens array have a larger lenslet array spacing than lenses of the first lens array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas E. HOLMGREN, Samuel C. HOWELLS
  • Patent number: 9023664
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling critical dimension (CD) of a circuit is provided. An apparatus includes a controller for receiving CD measurements at respective locations in a circuit pattern in an etched film on a first substrate and a single wafer chamber for forming a second film of the film material on a second substrate. The single wafer chamber is responsive to a signal from the controller to locally adjust a thickness of the second film based on the measured CD's. A method provides for etching a circuit pattern of a film on a first substrate, measuring CD's of the circuit pattern, adjusting a single wafer chamber to form a second film on a second semiconductor substrate based on the measured CD. The second film thickness is locally adjusted based on the measured CD's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Lin Chang, Hsin-Hsien Wu, Zin-Chang Wei, Chi-Ming Yang, Chyi-Shyuan Chern, Jun-Lin Yeh, Jih-Jse Lin, Jo-Fei Wang, Ming-Yu Fan, Jong-I Mou
  • Patent number: 9018567
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus (1), comprising a substrate support assembly (30), including a substrate support (32) defining an outer support surface (34) for supporting a substrate or substrate carrier (24) thereon, and a heater (50) comprising a heat dissipating portion (54) that is disposed within the substrate support (32) and that extends underneath and substantially parallel to the support surface (34), said substrate support (32) being rotatably mounted around a rotation axis (L) that extends through said support surface (34), such that the support surface (34) is rotatable relative to the heat dissipating portion (54) of the heater (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: ASM International N.V.
    Inventors: Chris G. M. de Ridder, Klaas P. Boonstra, Theodorus G. M. Oosterlaken, Barend J. T. Ravenhorst
  • Publication number: 20150096973
    Abstract: A wafer processing apparatus may include a susceptor having a top side and a backside, a susceptor heater having a spacing member and a heating member, a shim removably mounted between the susceptor and the susceptor heater, a cavity formed by the susceptor backside, the susceptor heater, and the shim, a fluid inlet communicating with the cavity, and a plurality of fluid outlets communicating with the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Todd Dunn, Fred Alokozai, Jerry Winkler, Michael Halpin
  • Patent number: 8987639
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is formed using materials that are optically transparent to a range of frequencies, such as infrared radiation. The invention discloses several methods for achieving optical transparency. The chuck electrode can be formed having a mesh pattern designed with a specific open area percentage to provide adequate wafer clamping force while still allowing sufficient levels of infrared radiation to pass through. Alternatively, the chuck electrode can also be made from a transparent conductive film. A workpiece is disposed on one surface of the chuck, and a radiative heat source is positioned on the opposite side of the chuck. A reflector plate may be used to reflect the infrared radiation toward the chuck and the wafer. The spacing of the radiation sources and the shape of the reflector plate may be modified to focus more radiation on a particular portion of the workpiece if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Petry, James Carroll
  • Patent number: 8981263
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic chuck apparatus which is configured of: an electrostatic chuck section; an annular focus ring section provided to surround the electrostatic chuck section; and a cooling base section which cools the electrostatic chuck section and the focus ring section. The focus ring section is provided with an annular focus ring, an annular heat conducting sheet, an annular ceramic ring, a nonmagnetic heater, and an electrode section that supplies power to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Sasaki, Kenji Masuzawa, Toshiyuki Makabe, Mamoru Kosakai, Takashi Satou, Kazunori Ishimura, Ryuuji Hayahara, Hitoshi Kouno
  • Publication number: 20150069043
    Abstract: An anneal module for annealing semiconductor material wafers and similar substrates reduces particle contamination and oxygen ingress while providing uniform heating including for 500° C. processes. The anneal module may include a process chamber formed in a metal body having internal cooling lines. A hot plate has a pedestal supported on a thermal choke on the body. A gas distributor in the lid over the hot plate flows gas uniformly over the wafer. A transfer mechanism moves a hoop to shift the wafer between the hot plate and a cold plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent Steffan Francischetti, Gregory J. Wilson, Kyle M. Hanson, Paul Wirth, Robert B. Moore
  • Publication number: 20150060433
    Abstract: A heated platen having a heating element and an electrical contact assembly for the heating element is generally described. Various examples provide a dielectric plate including a heating element and a terminal disposed therein. An electrical connection assembly configured to connect the heating element to a power source is also provided. The electrical connection including an electrical connection plug, a conductive sleeve disposed within the electrical connection plug, and a connector pin having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion disposed within the sleeve, the top portion having a spring structure, the spring structure configured to maintain electric contact with the terminal throughout a range of temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Webb, Paul Forderhase, Paul E. Pergande
  • Publication number: 20150060434
    Abstract: Provided is a chamber apparatus which includes a chamber, in a part of which an internal space capable of accommodating a substrate therein is formed, a heating portion which heats the substrate disposed in the internal space, and a temperature adjustment portion which adjusts the temperature of a part of the chamber, which is in contact with the internal space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sahoda, Yoshiaki Masu, Hidenori Miyamoto, Yubun Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8963052
    Abstract: A chuck for a plasma processor comprises a temperature-controlled base, a thermal insulator, a flat support, and a heater. The temperature-controlled base is controlled in operation a temperature below the desired temperature of a workpiece. The thermal insulator is disposed over at least a portion of the temperature-controlled base. The flat support holds a workpiece and is disposed over the thermal insulator. A heater is embedded within the flat support and/or mounted to an underside of the flat support. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements that heat a plurality of corresponding heating zones. The power supplied and/or temperature of each heating element is controlled independently. The heater and flat support have a combined temperature rate change of at least 1° C. per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Benjamin, Robert Steger
  • Patent number: 8963050
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer having a surface with a thin film formed thereon is transported into a chamber and held by a holder. After an atmosphere provided in the chamber is replaced, flashes of light are directed from flash lamps in a light irradiation part toward the semiconductor wafer to perform a baking process on the thin film. The irradiation of the semiconductor wafer with light from halogen lamps in the light irradiation part also starts at the same time as the irradiation thereof with the flashes of light. The flashes of light emitted for an extremely short period of time and having a high intensity allow the surface temperature of the thin film to rise momentarily. This prevents the occurrence of abnormal grain growth resulting from prolonged baking in the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kato, Hiroki Kiyama
  • Patent number: 8957351
    Abstract: In a catalytic CVD equipment, a holder includes an antireflective structure for preventing reflection of a radiant ray that is ejected from the catalytic wire toward the side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., ULVAC, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Shima, Yoshinori Wakamiya, Shuji Osono, Satohiro Okayama, Hideyuki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20150016083
    Abstract: A multi-layer aluminum nitride ceramic, multi-heating element substrate is provided for forming electrical bonds between integrated circuits and an interposer structure using a thermocompression bonding process. The individually energizable heater element traces can be run through common regions of the heater surface platform. A network of cooling vias can be run through other parts of the substrate. The traces are then separately controlled and energized during a predetermined routine resulting in a temperature profile that maintains a substantially constant temperature plateau phase near a reflow temperature, and a more uniform temperature across the spaced apart surface regions of the heater substrate, thus imparting a more precisely uniform heating to the parts being bonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen P. Nootens, Frank J. Polese, Christopher H. Bateman, Soren Dinescu, Casey C. Clausen, William L. Bradbury, Donald Bachelder
  • Publication number: 20150014297
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heating plate of a heating device for a semiconductor manufacturing process, including: a metal matrix, which is composed of a Ni—Fe—Co alloy, and in which a heating element is buried; a first ceramic layer formed on one side of the metal matrix; and a second ceramic layer formed on the other side and circumference of the metal matrix. According to the heating plate for a semiconductor manufacturing process of the present invention, even when thermal shock caused by repetition of heating and cooling is applied to the metal matrix composed of a Ni—Fe—Co alloy, the heating plate can exhibit excellent thermal shock resistance because the consistency between the metal matrix and the ceramic layer made of AlN or the like is maintained, and can prevent the metal matrix from being damaged because the ceramic layer has excellent chemical resistance and wear resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY AND MATERIALS
    Inventors: Se-Jong Kim, Jung Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 8927906
    Abstract: The disclosed heating device is to perform a heating process on an exposed substrate formed with a resist film before a developing process, the device including a heating part to perform a heating process on the exposed substrate, the heating part including a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged heating elements; a seating part provided at an upper side of the heating part, on which the substrate is disposed; and a control part to correct a setting temperature of the heating part based on temperature correction values, and to control the heating part based on the corrected setting temperature, during the heating process on one substrate by the heating part, wherein the temperature correction values being previously obtained from measured critical dimensions of the resist pattern in another substrate formed with the resist pattern through the heating process by the heating part and then the developing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Masahide Tadokoro, Yoshihiro Kondo, Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 8921740
    Abstract: A chuck for a plasma processor comprises a temperature-controlled base, a thermal insulator, a flat support, and a heater. The temperature-controlled base has a temperature below the desired temperature of a workpiece. The thermal insulator is disposed over the temperature-controlled base. The flat support holds a workpiece and is disposed over the thermal insulator. A heater is embedded within the flat support and/or disposed on an underside of the flat support. The heater includes a plurality of heating elements that heat a plurality of corresponding heating zones. The power supplied and/or temperature of each heating element is controlled independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Benjamin, Robert J. Steger
  • Patent number: 8901464
    Abstract: A layered heater is provided that includes at least one resistive layer having a resistive circuit pattern, the resistive circuit pattern defining a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the thickness varies along the length of the resistive circuit pattern and/or the width of the resistive circuit pattern for a variable watt density. The present disclosure also provides layered heaters having a resistive circuit pattern with a variable thickness along with a variable width and/or spacing of the resistive circuit pattern in order to produce a variable watt density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kevin Ptasienski, James McMillin, Thomas T. Nagl, Rolando O. Juliano
  • Publication number: 20140332161
    Abstract: An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony J. Ricci, Keith Comendant, James Tappan
  • Patent number: 8884194
    Abstract: A heating plate of a semiconductor substrate support for supporting a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing chamber includes a first layer with an array of heater zones operable to tune a spatial temperature profile on the semiconductor substrate, and a second layer with one or more primary heaters to provide mean temperature control of the semiconductor substrate. The heating plate can be incorporated in a substrate support wherein a switching device independently supplies power to each one of the heater zones to provide time-averaged power to each of the heater zones by time divisional multiplexing of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Harmeet Singh, Keith Gaff, Neil Benjamin, Keith Comendant
  • Publication number: 20140319121
    Abstract: Provided is a supporting unit supporting a substrate. The supporting unit includes a body including a plurality of heating regions and disposed with the substrate on a top surface thereof and a heating unit heating the body. Herein, the heating unit includes heating lines provided in the plurality of heating regions, respectively, to control temperatures of the plurality of heating regions independently from one another, terminals provided to the body and receiving power from the outside, and connecting lines connecting the heating lines to the terminals mutually corresponding to one another. Also, the terminals are disposed in one of the plurality of heating regions in a top view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung Joon KIM, Seung Kue KIM
  • Patent number: 8874254
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to perform temperature setting of a heating plate so that a wafer is uniformly heated in an actual heat processing time. The temperature of a wafer is measured during a heat processing period from immediately after a temperature measuring wafer is mounted on the heating plate to the time when the actual heat processing time elapses. Whether the uniformity in temperature within the wafer is allowable or not is determined from the temperature of the wafer in the heat processing period, and if the determination result is negative, a correction value for a temperature setting parameter of the heating plate is calculated using a correction value calculation model from the measurement result, and the temperature setting parameter is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shuji Iwanaga, Nobuyuki Sata
  • Patent number: 8847122
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transferring a substrate are described. In the method, a substrate is provided on the surface of a first plate at a first position, the first plate is moved from the first position to a second position in an upper space of a second plate, the substrate is lifted away from the surface of the first plate, the first plate is moved away from the second position, and the substrate is put on the surface of the second plate from the upper space. The apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate each having a surface for carrying the substrate, wherein the first plate can be moved between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20140263273
    Abstract: A chamber apparatus including a chamber which accommodates a substrate having a coating film formed thereon; a first heating part which is accommodated in the chamber and disposed on a first face side of the substrate; a second heating part which is accommodated in the chamber and disposed on a second face side of the substrate opposite to the first face; and a pressure control part which is capable of pressurizing and depressurizing inside of the chamber in a heated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO OHKA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Sahoda, Yoshiaki Masu, Takashi Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20140263274
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of detecting fault conditions in a multiplexed multi-heater-zone heating plate for a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Harmeet Singh
  • Patent number: 8835813
    Abstract: A light-emission output of a flash lamp for performing a light-irradiation heat treatment on a substrate in which impurities are implanted is increased up to a target value L1 over a period of time from 1 to 100 milliseconds, is kept for 5 to 100 milliseconds within a fluctuation range of plus or minus 30% from the target value L1, and is then attenuated from the target value L1 to zero over a period of time from 1 to 100 milliseconds. That is, compared with conventional flash lamp annealing, the light-emission output of the flash lamp is increased more gradually, is kept to be constant for a certain period of time, and is then decreased more gradually. As a result, a total heat amount of a surface of the substrate increases compared with the conventional case, but a surface temperature thereof rises more gradually and then drops more gradually compared with the conventional case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Shinichi Kato
  • Patent number: 8829397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion-resistant multilayer ceramic member consisting at least of: a ceramic support substrate; an electrode layer formed on the ceramic support substrate; a power-supply member connected to the electrode layer; an insulating protection layer formed on the ceramic support substrate to cover the electrode layer; and a ceramic protection substrate of which at least a part is provided on the insulating protection layer. Thereby, there is provided a long-life corrosion-resistant multilayer ceramic member excellent in corrosion resistance even when exposed to a corrosive gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Kano, Waichi Yamamura, Yoshihiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 8791392
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of detecting fault conditions in a multiplexed multi-heater-zone heating plate for a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Harmeet Singh
  • Patent number: 8785821
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus for heating a substrate is provided. The substrate processing apparatus can include a top and bottom planar member. A heater layer can be disposed between the top and the bottom planar member and held in place by evacuating a region between the two planar members. The heater layer can be made of alternating insulating and conducting layers with heater elements formed on the conducting layers in predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Harald Herchen
  • Patent number: 8779334
    Abstract: An integrated apparatus able to condition a dry low-temperature environment in a baking process includes a baking unit, a drying unit, and at least a dry air introducing part. The baking unit has a heating unit to heat a first room at a baking period. The drying unit includes a dryer for dehumidifying a second room thereof at a dry low-temperature environment-conditioning period by providing the second room a dry low-temperature air. The dry air introducing part located between the first room and the second room is to separate the first room and the second room at the baking period, and to introduce the dry low-temperature air from the second room to the first room at the dry low-temperature environment-conditioning period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ace Dragon Corp.
    Inventor: Min-Jen Tsao
  • Publication number: 20140151360
    Abstract: A heater assembly for a disk processing system including a heater element configured to heat a substrate carried by a holder, and a heater cover having an aperture to expose the heater element to the substrate. The cover may be metal to thermally couple the heater to a cooling plate. The cover may have an outer surface having a thermal barrier surrounding the aperture to thermally insulate the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: WD MEDIA, INC.
    Inventor: WD MEDIA, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140103027
    Abstract: Embodiments of substrate support rings are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing substrates includes, a ring configured to be disposed about a peripheral edge of a substrate support to support at least a portion of a substrate disposed atop the substrate support, wherein the ring comprises a heater; and a power supply coupled to the heater to provide power to the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: KEITH A. MILLER
  • Patent number: 8698048
    Abstract: A vacuum chuck and a process chamber equipped with the same are provided. The vacuum chuck assembly comprises a support body, a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of channels, at least one support member supporting the support body, at least one resilient member coupled with the support member, a hollow shaft supporting the support body, at least one electrical connector disposed through the hollow shaft, and an air-cooling apparatus. The support body has a support surface for holding a substrate (such as a wafer) thereon. The protrusions are formed on and project from the support surface for creating a gap between the substrate and the support surface. The channels are formed on the support surface for generating reduced pressure in the gap. The air-cooling apparatus is used for providing air cooling in the vicinity of the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander N. Lerner, Blake Koelmel, Mehran Behdjat