公开(公告)号：US07666464B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-23

申请号：US10971772

申请日：2004-10-23

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

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

IPC: C23C14/48 ,  C23C14/54 ,  C23C16/52 ,  C23C16/505

CPC classification number: H01J37/321 ,  C23C14/48 ,  C23C14/54 ,  H01J37/32412 ,  H01J37/32935

Abstract: A method of measuring ion dose in a plasma immersion ion implantation reactor during ion implantation of a selected species into a workpiece includes placing the workpiece on a pedestal in the reactor and feeding into the reactor a process gas comprising a species to be implanted into the workpiece, and then coupling RF plasma source power to a plasma in the reactor. It further includes coupling RF bias power to the workpiece by an RF bias power generator that is coupled to the workpiece through a bias feedpoint of the reactor and measuring RF current at the feedpoint to generate a current-related value, and then integrating the current-related over time to produce an ion implantation dose-related value.

Abstract translation: 在将所选择的物质离子注入工件期间测量等离子体浸入式离子注入反应器中的离子剂量的方法包括将工件放置在反应器中的基座上，并将反应器中的工件气体进料到反应器中， ，然后将RF等离子体源功率耦合到反应器中的等离子体。 它还包括通过RF偏置功率发生器将RF偏置功率耦合到工件，该RF偏置功率发生器通过电抗器的偏置馈电点耦合到工件，并且在馈电点处测量RF电流以产生电流相关值， 随着时间的推移产生离子注入剂量相关值。

公开(公告)号：US20090298287A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-03

申请号：US12129024

申请日：2008-05-29

Applicant: Steven C. Shannon ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Kenneth S. Collins

Inventor： Steven C. Shannon ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Kenneth S. Collins

IPC: H01L21/3065 ,  H01L21/3205 ,  C23C16/505 ,  H01L21/31

CPC classification number: H01J37/32146 ,  H01J37/32091 ,  H01J37/321 ,  H01J37/32183 ,  H01J37/32935

Abstract: A method is provided in plasma processing of a workpiece for stabilizing the plasma against engineered transients in applied RF power, by modulating an unmatched low power RF generator in synchronism with the transient.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于通过与瞬态同步调制不匹配的低功率RF发生器的工件的等离子体处理中的方法来稳定等离子体以应用RF功率中的设计瞬变的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20090294061A1

公开(公告)日：2009-12-03

申请号：US12128926

申请日：2008-05-29

Applicant: Steven C. Shannon ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Kenneth S. Collins

Inventor： Steven C. Shannon ,  Kartik Ramaswamy ,  Daniel J. Hoffman ,  Matthew L. Miller ,  Kenneth S. Collins

IPC: C23C16/44 ,  C23F1/00

CPC classification number: H01J37/32935 ,  H01J37/32091 ,  H01J37/32183

Abstract: A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer using predetermined transients of plasma bias power or plasma source power has unmatched low power RF generators synchronized to the transients to minimize transient-induced changes in plasma characteristics.

Abstract translation: 使用等离子体偏置功率或等离子体源功率的预定瞬变来处理诸如半导体晶片的工件的等离子体反应器具有与瞬变同步的无与伦比的低功率RF发生器，以使等离子体特性的瞬变诱发变化最小化。

公开(公告)号：US20090230089A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-17

申请号：US12047492

申请日：2008-03-13

Applicant: KALLOL BERA ,  SHAHID RAUF ,  AJIT BALAKRISHNA ,  KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  KARTIK RAMASWAMY ,  HIROJI HANAWA

Inventor： KALLOL BERA ,  SHAHID RAUF ,  AJIT BALAKRISHNA ,  KENNETH S. COLLINS ,  KARTIK RAMASWAMY ,  HIROJI HANAWA

IPC: B01J19/08 ,  C23F1/00

CPC classification number: H01J37/32174 ,  H01J37/32009 ,  H01J37/32045 ,  H01J37/32091

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling plasma uniformity is disclosed. When etching a substrate, a non-uniform plasma may lead to uneven etching of the substrate. Impedance circuits may alleviate the uneven plasma to permit more uniform etching. The impedance circuits may be disposed between the chamber wall and ground, the showerhead and ground, and the cathode can and ground. The impedance circuits may comprise one or more of an inductor and a capacitor. The inductance of the inductor and the capacitance of the capacitor may be predetermined to ensure the plasma is uniform. Additionally, the inductance and capacitance may be adjusted during processing or between processing steps to suit the needs of the particular process.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于控制等离子体均匀性的方法和装置。 当蚀刻基板时，不均匀的等离子体可能导致基板的不均匀蚀刻。 阻抗电路可以减轻不均匀的等离子体以允许更均匀的蚀刻。 阻抗电路可以设置在室壁和地面之间，淋浴头和地面以及阴极罐和地面之间。 阻抗电路可以包括电感器和电容器中的一个或多个。 电感器的电感和电容器的电容可以被预先确定，以确保等离子体是均匀的。 此外，可以在处理期间或在处理步骤之间调整电感和电容以适应特定工艺的需要。

公开(公告)号：US20090214825A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-27

申请号：US12072530

申请日：2008-02-26

Applicant: Jennifer Y. Sun ,  Xiaoming He ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Thomas Graves ,  Senh Thach ,  Jie Yuan ,  Li Xu ,  Ren-Guan Duan

Inventor： Jennifer Y. Sun ,  Xiaoming He ,  Kenneth S. Collins ,  Thomas Graves ,  Senh Thach ,  Jie Yuan ,  Li Xu ,  Ren-Guan Duan

IPC: B32B7/00 ,  C23C4/00

CPC classification number: C23C4/11 ,  Y10T428/24355 ,  Y10T428/24997

Abstract: Particulate generation has been a problem in semiconductor device processing in highly corrosive plasma environments. The problem is exacerbated when the plasma is a reducing plasma. Empirically produced data has shown that the formation of a plasma spray coated yttrium-comprising ceramic such as yttrium oxide, Y2O3—ZrO2 solid solution, YAG, and YF3 provides a low porosity coating with smooth and compacted surfaces when such ceramics are spray coated from a powder feed having an average effective diameter ranging from about 22 μm to about 0.1 μm. These spray-coated materials reduce the generation of particulates in corrosive reducing plasma environments.

Abstract translation: 在高度腐蚀性等离子体环境中的半导体器件加工中，微粒产生是一个问题。 当等离子体是还原等离子体时，问题更加严重。 经验生产的数据显示，等离子体喷涂的包含钇的陶瓷如氧化钇，Y2O3-ZrO2固溶体，YAG和YF3的形成提供了具有光滑和压实表面的低孔隙率涂层，当这种陶瓷从 粉末进料的平均有效直径为约22μm至约0.1μm。 这些喷涂材料减少了腐蚀性还原等离子体环境中的颗粒物的产生。

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。