公开(公告)号：US20090218043A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-03

申请号：US12038887

申请日：2008-02-28

Applicant: Ajit Balakrishna ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Michael D. Willwerth ,  Valentin N. Todorow

Inventor： Ajit Balakrishna ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Michael D. Willwerth ,  Valentin N. Todorow

IPC: H01L21/306

CPC classification number: H01J37/32449 ,  H01J37/3244

Abstract: A flow equalizer plate is provided for use in a substrate process chamber. The flow equalizer plate has an annular shape with a flow obstructing inner region, and a perforated outer region that permits the passage of a processing gas, but retains specific elements in the processing gas, such as active radicals or ions. The inner and outer regions have varying radial widths so as to balance a flow of processing gas over a surface of a substrate. In certain embodiments, the flow equalizer plate may be utilized to correct chamber flow asymmetries due to a lateral offset of an exhaust port relative to a center line of a substrate support between the process volume and the exhaust port.

Abstract translation: 提供流量均衡器板用于衬底处理室。 流量均衡器板具有流动阻挡内部区域的环形形状，以及允许处理气体通过但在处理气体中保留特定元素的穿孔外部区域，例如活性自由基或离子。 内部和外部区域具有变化的径向宽度，以平衡处理气体在衬底表面上的流动。 在某些实施例中，流量均衡器板可用于校正由于排气口相对于处理容积和排气口之间的衬底支撑件的中心线的横向偏移造成的室流动不对称性。

公开(公告)号：US07428915B2

公开(公告)日：2008-09-30

申请号：US11115956

申请日：2005-04-26

Applicant: Andrew Nguyen ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Biagio Gallo

Inventor： Andrew Nguyen ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Biagio Gallo

IPC: F16K11/052

CPC classification number: F16K1/526 ,  F16K1/22 ,  H01J37/3244 ,  H01J37/32449 ,  Y10T137/87531

Abstract: A valve system having high maximum gas flow rate and fine control of gas flow rate, includes a valve housing for blocking gas flow through a gas flow path, a large area opening through said housing having a first arcuate side wall and a small area opening through said housing having a second arcuate side wall, and respective large area and small area rotatable valve flaps in said large area and small area openings, respectively, and having arcuate edges congruent with said first and second arcuate side walls, respectively and defining therebetween respective first and second valve gaps. The first and second valve gaps are sufficiently small to block flow of a gas on one side of said valve housing up to a predetermined pressure limit, thereby obviating any need for O-rings.

Abstract translation: 具有高的最大气体流量和气体流量的精细控制的阀门系统包括用于阻止气体流过气体流路的阀壳体，通过所述壳体的大面积开口具有第一弧形侧壁和小区域开口 所述壳体分别具有第二弧形侧壁和分别在所述大面积和小面积开口中的相应的大面积和小面积的可旋转阀瓣，并且分别具有与所述第一和第二弧形侧壁一致的弓形边缘，并且在其间限定各自的第一 和第二阀间隙。 第一和第二阀间隙足够小以阻止气体在所述阀壳体的一侧上的流动直到预定的压力极限，从而避免了对O形环的任何需要。

公开(公告)号：US07422775B2

公开(公告)日：2008-09-09

申请号：US11131899

申请日：2005-05-17

Applicant: Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash J. Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

Inventor： Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash J. Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

IPC: H05H1/24

CPC classification number: H05H1/46

Abstract: A method of processing a workpiece includes introducing an optical absorber material precursor gas into a chamber containing the workpiece, generating an RF oscillating toroidal plasma current in a reentrant path that includes a process zone overlying the workpiece by applying RF source power, so as to deposit a layer of an optical absorber material on the workpiece, and exposing the workpiece to optical radiation that is at least partially absorbed in the optical absorber layer.

Abstract translation: 一种处理工件的方法包括将光吸收材料前体气体引入到包含工件的室中，在折入路径中产生RF振荡环形等离子体电流，其包括通过施加RF源功率覆盖工件的工艺区域，以便沉积 在工件上的光吸收材料层，以及将工件暴露于至少部分地吸收在光吸收层中的光辐射。

公开(公告)号：US20080182416A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11733764

申请日：2007-04-11

Applicant: Kenneth S. Collins ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Douglas A. Buchberger ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kallol Bera ,  Lawrence Wong ,  Walter R. Merry ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Steven C. Shannon ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  James P. Cruse ,  James Carducci ,  Troy S. Detrick ,  Subhash Deshmukh ,  Jennifer Y. Sun

Inventor： Kenneth S. Collins ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Douglas A. Buchberger ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kallol Bera ,  Lawrence Wong ,  Walter R. Merry ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Steven C. Shannon ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  James P. Cruse ,  James Carducci ,  Troy S. Detrick ,  Subhash Deshmukh ,  Jennifer Y. Sun

IPC: H01L21/302 ,  H01L21/461

CPC classification number: H01J37/32174 ,  H01J37/32091 ,  H01J37/32165

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor chamber having electrodes including at least a ceiling electrode and a workpiece support electrode. The method includes coupling respective RF power sources of respective VHF frequencies f1 and f2 to either (a) respective ones of the electrodes or (b) a common one of the electrodes, where f1 is sufficiently high to produce a center-high non-uniform plasma ion distribution and f2 is sufficiently low to produce a center-low non-uniform plasma ion distribution. The method further includes adjusting a ratio of an RF parameter at the f1 frequency to the RF parameter at the f2 frequency so as to control plasma ion density distribution, the RF parameter being any one of RF power, RF voltage or RF current.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于处理具有至少包括天花板电极和工件支撑电极的电极的等离子体反应器室中的工件的方法。 该方法包括将各个VHF频率f 1和f 2的相应RF功率源耦合到（a）电极中的相应电极或（b）电极中的公共电极，其中f 1足够高以产生中心高 不均匀的等离子体离子分布和f 2足够低以产生中心 - 低不均匀等离子体离子分布。 该方法还包括调整f 1频率处的RF参数与f 2频率处的RF参数的比率，以便控制等离子体离子密度分布，RF参数是RF功率，RF电压或RF电流中的任何一个。

公开(公告)号：US20080179007A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11685770

申请日：2007-03-14

Applicant: KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Ajit Balakrishna ,  David Palagashvili ,  James P. Cruse ,  Jennifer Y. Sun ,  Valentin N. Todorow ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Gerhard M. Schneider ,  Imad Yousif ,  Martin Jeffrey Salinas

Inventor： KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Ajit Balakrishna ,  David Palagashvili ,  James P. Cruse ,  Jennifer Y. Sun ,  Valentin N. Todorow ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Gerhard M. Schneider ,  Imad Yousif ,  Martin Jeffrey Salinas

IPC: C23F1/00

CPC classification number: H01L21/68764 ,  H01J37/32357 ,  H01J37/32366 ,  H01L21/67069 ,  H01L21/67115 ,  H01L21/68728

Abstract: A reactor is provided for removing polymer from a backside of a workpiece. The reactor includes a vacuum chamber having a ceiling, a floor and a cylindrical side wall. The reactor further includes workpiece support apparatus within the chamber configured for a workpiece to be placed thereon with its front side facing the ceiling. The support apparatus is configured to leave at least an annular periphery of the backside of the workpiece exposed. A confinement member defines a narrow gap with an outer edge of the workpiece, the narrow gap being on the order of about 1% of the workpiece diameter, the narrow gap corresponding to a boundary dividing the chamber between an upper process zone and a lower process zone, the reactor further comprising a vacuum pump coupled to the lower process zone. An external plasma-generating chamber is coupled to the chamber, the external plasma-generating chamber configured to introduce a plasma by-product into the lower process zone, and a supply of a polymer etch precursor gas to the external plasma-generating chamber. The ceiling includes a gas distribution plate facing the upper process zone, the reactor further comprising a purge gas supply coupled to the gas distribution plate.

Abstract translation: 提供反应器用于从工件的背面去除聚合物。 反应器包括具有天花板，地板和圆柱形侧壁的真空室。 所述反应器还包括在所述室内的工件支撑装置，所述工件支撑装置构造成用于要放置在其上的工件，其前侧面向天花板。 支撑装置被配置为留下被暴露的工件的后侧的至少一个环形周边。 限制构件与工件的外边缘限定窄间隙，窄间隙约为工件直径的约1％，窄间隙对应于在上工艺区和下工艺之间分隔室的边界 反应器还包括耦合到下处理区的真空泵。 外部等离子体产生室耦合到室，外部等离子体发生室被配置为将等离子体副产物引入下部工艺区域，以及向外部等离子体产生室供应聚合物蚀刻前体气体。 天花板包括面向上处理区的气体分配板，反应器还包括连接到气体分配板的净化气体供应源。

公开(公告)号：US20080178803A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11733913

申请日：2007-04-11

Applicant: KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Douglas A. Buchberger ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kallol Bera ,  Lawrence Wong ,  Walter R. Merry ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Steven C. Shannon ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  James P. Cruse ,  James Carducci ,  Troy S. Detrick ,  Subhash Deshmukh ,  Jennifer Y. Sun

Inventor： KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Douglas A. Buchberger ,  Shahid Rauf ,  Kallol Bera ,  Lawrence Wong ,  Walter R. Merry ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Steven C. Shannon ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  James P. Cruse ,  James Carducci ,  Troy S. Detrick ,  Subhash Deshmukh ,  Jennifer Y. Sun

IPC: B05C11/00

CPC classification number: H01J37/32174 ,  H01J37/32091 ,  H01J37/32165 ,  H01J37/32935

Abstract: A plasma reactor includes a ceiling electrode facing a workpiece support pedestal and a pedestal electrode in the pedestal and first and second VHF power sources of different frequencies coupled to the same or to different ones of the ceiling electrode and the pedestal electrode. The first and second VHF power sources are of sufficiently high and sufficiently low frequencies, respectively, to produce center-high and center-low plasma distribution non-uniformities, respectively, in the chamber. The reactor further includes a controller programmed to change the relative output power levels of the first and second VHF power sources to: (a) increase the relative output power level of the first VHF power source whenever plasma ion distribution has a predominantly edge-high non-uniformity, and (b) increase the relative output power level of the second VHF power source whenever plasma ion distribution has a predominantly center-high non-uniformity.

Abstract translation: 等离子体反应器包括面对工件支撑基座的顶板电极和基座中的基座电极以及耦合到天花板电极和基座电极中相同或不同的不同频率的第一和第二VHF电源。 第一和第二VHF电源分别具有足够高和足够低的频率，以分别在腔室中产生中心高和中心低等离子体分布不均匀性。 电抗器还包括被编程为将第一和第二VHF电源的相对输出功率电平改变为：（a）只要等离子体离子分布具有主要为边缘高的非高电平的第一VHF电源的相对输出功率电平， （b）当等离子体离子分布主要是中心高的不均匀性时，增加第二VHF电源的相对输出功率电平。

公开(公告)号：US07323401B2

公开(公告)日：2008-01-29

申请号：US11199593

申请日：2005-08-08

Applicant: Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash J. Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

Inventor： Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash J. Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

IPC: H01L21/22 ,  H01L21/38

CPC classification number: H01L21/0276 ,  C23C16/26 ,  C23C16/507 ,  H01J37/321 ,  H01L21/0332 ,  H01L21/0337 ,  H01L21/268 ,  H01L21/3081 ,  H01L21/3086 ,  H01L21/31144 ,  H01L21/32139 ,  Y10S430/151

Abstract: A method of processing a thin film structure on a semiconductor substrate using an optically writable mask includes placing the substrate in a reactor chamber, the substrate having on its surface a target layer to be etched in accordance with a predetermined pattern, and depositing a carbon-containing hard mask layer on the substrate by (a) introducing a carbon-containing process gas into the chamber, (b) generating a reentrant toroidal RF plasma current in a reentrant path that includes a process zone overlying the workpiece by coupling plasma RF source power to an external portion of the reentrant path, and (c) coupling RF plasma bias power or bias voltage to the workpiece. The method further includes photolithographically defining the predetermined pattern in the carbon-containing hard mask layer, and etching the target layer in the presence of the hard mask layer.

Abstract translation: 使用光学可写掩模在半导体衬底上处理薄膜结构的方法包括将衬底放置在反应室中，所述衬底在其表面上根据预定图案在其表面上具有待蚀刻的靶层，并且沉积碳 - （a）将含碳工艺气体引入所述腔室中，（b）在折入路径中产生可重入环形的RF等离子体电流，所述凹入的RF等离子体电流包括通过耦合等离子体RF源功率的工件区域 到（c）将RF等离子体偏置功率或偏置电压耦合到工件的外部部分。 该方法还包括光刻地限定含碳硬掩模层中的预定图案，并且在存在硬掩模层的情况下蚀刻目标层。

公开(公告)号：US07303982B2

公开(公告)日：2007-12-04

申请号：US10646467

申请日：2003-08-22

Applicant: Kenneth S. Collins ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Gonzalo Antonio Monroy

Inventor： Kenneth S. Collins ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Andrew Nguyen ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Gonzalo Antonio Monroy

IPC: H01L21/42 ,  H01L21/425

CPC classification number: H01J37/321 ,  H01J37/32082

Abstract: A method for implanting ions in a surface layer of a workpiece includes placing the workpiece on a workpiece support in a chamber with the surface layer being in facing relationship with a ceiling of the chamber, thereby defining a processing zone between the workpiece and the ceiling, and introducing into the chamber a process gas which includes the species to be implanted in the surface layer of the workpiece. The method further includes generating from the process gas a plasma by inductively coupling RF source power into the processing zone from an RF source power generator through an inductively coupled RF power applicator, and applying an RF bias from an RF bias generator to the workpiece support.

Abstract translation: 用于将离子注入工件的表面层的方法包括将工件放置在腔室中的工件支撑件上，其中表面层与腔室的天花板处于面对关系，从而在工件和天花板之间限定处理区域， 以及将包括要植入工件的表面层中的物质的工艺气体引入该室中。 该方法还包括通过将RF源功率从RF源功率发生器通过感应耦合RF功率施加器感应耦合到处理区域中，并且将来自RF偏置发生器的RF偏压施加到工件支架，从而从处理气体产生等离子体。

公开(公告)号：US07221553B2

公开(公告)日：2007-05-22

申请号：US10421473

申请日：2003-04-22

Applicant: Andrew Nguyen ,  Wing Lau Cheng ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Semyon L. Kats ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Yan Ye ,  Kwok Manus Wong ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Brian C. Lue

Inventor： Andrew Nguyen ,  Wing Lau Cheng ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Semyon L. Kats ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Yan Ye ,  Kwok Manus Wong ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Tetsuya Ishikawa ,  Brian C. Lue

IPC: H05F3/00

CPC classification number: H01L21/67109

Abstract: A support for a substrate processing chamber has upper and lower walls that are joined by a peripheral sidewall to define a reservoir. A fluid inlet supplies a heat transfer fluid to the reservoir. In one version, a plurality of protrusions extends into the reservoir to perturb the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the reservoir. In another version, the reservoir is an elongated channel having one or more of (i) serpentine convolutions, (ii) integral fins extending into the channel, (iii) a roughened internal surface, or (iv) a changing cross-section. A fluid outlet discharges the heat transfer fluid from the reservoir.

Abstract translation: 用于衬底处理室的支撑件具有通过周边侧壁连接以限定储存器的上壁和下壁。 流体入口将传热流体供应到储存器。 在一个版本中，多个突起延伸到储存器中以扰乱通过储存器的传热流体的流动。 在另一个版本中，储存器是具有（i）蛇形循环中的一个或多个的细长通道，（ii）延伸到通道中的整体翅片，（iii）粗糙化的内表面，或（iv）变化的横截面。 流体出口从储存器排出传热流体。

公开(公告)号：US20070032004A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-08

申请号：US11199570

申请日：2005-08-08

Applicant: Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

Inventor： Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Hiroji Hanawa ,  Biagio Gallo ,  Kenneth Collins ,  Kai Ma ,  Vijay Parihar ,  Dean Jennings ,  Abhilash Mayur ,  Amir Al-Bayati ,  Andrew Nguyen

IPC: H01L21/8234

CPC classification number: H01L21/76877 ,  H01L21/76843 ,  H01L21/76864 ,  H01L21/76873

Abstract: A method of forming a barrier layer for a thin film structure on a semiconductor substrate includes forming high aspect ratio openings in a base layer having vertical side walls, depositing a dielectric barrier layer comprising a dielectric compound of a barrier metal on the surfaces of the high aspect ratio openings including the vertical side walls and depositing a metal barrier layer comprising the barrier metal on the first barrier layer. The method further includes reflowing the metal barrier layer by (a) directing light from an array of continuous wave lasers into a line of light extending at least partially across the thin film structure, and (b) translating the line of light relative to the thin film structure in a direction transverse to the line of light.