IP Library Granted Patent US 9,960,072
Granted Patent B2
US 9,960,072 · App. 15/050,159 · Granted May 1, 2018

Variable adjustment for precise matching of multiple chamber cavity housings

Inventor: Stephen Dale Coomer (Chandler, AZ)
Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
H01L21/68742H01L21/68H01L21/68785H01L21/68792
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,960,072
App. No.
15/050,159
Granted
May 1, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vertical adjustment assembly is disclosed in order to provide for matching vertical positions of two substrates within separate chambers or cavities of a reaction system for processing of semiconductor substrates. The vertical adjustment assembly, in cooperation with a main lift driver, can provide for a more accurate positioning of the substrates to account for a tolerance stack-up error.

Claims (18)

1. A system for adjusting a vertical position of a substrate holding assembly, comprising:

a reference bar configured to have a fixed position relative to a horizontal bar;

a movable tie bar configured to move in a vertical position relative to the reference bar;

a first movable block coupled to the movable tie bar;

a first set of sliding brackets mounted to the first movable block, the first set of sliding brackets configured to hold a bottom plate and a first bellows mounting plate;

a first susceptor in a first chamber cavity, the first susceptor connected to the bottom plate and configured to hold a first substrate;

a set of rails for guiding movement of the first movable block; and

a jacking screw mounted within the reference bar and the movable tie bar, wherein a rotation of the jacking screw causes movements of the moveable tie bar, resulting in movement of the first set of sliding brackets, which in turn results in a vertical movement of the first susceptor, relative to the reference bar.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the jacking screw raises or lowers the first susceptor to match a position of the first substrate in the first chamber cavity with a position of a second substrate in a second chamber cavity.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a lower threaded nut, a thrust bearing race and an upper threaded nut disposed within the reference bar in contact with the jacking screw.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the jacking screw is performed by one of a human operator, a programmable robot, a pneumatic linear actuator, or a pneumatic rotary actuator.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a heater mount disposed within the first bellows mounting plate to provide heat to the first susceptor.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a set of cooling tubes attached to the first bellows mounting plate and configured to remove heat from the heater mount.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a set of micrometers to provide a tripod leveling to the first bellows mounting plate.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a set of adjusters to provide an x-y adjustment to the first bellows mounting plate and the bottom plate.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a first bellows attached to the first bellows mounting plate, the first bellows configured to envelope a first susceptor rod attached to the first susceptor and configured to expand and contract depending upon a position of the first susceptor.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed tie bar connected to the horizontal bar.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a main lift assembly configured to move the first susceptor and a second susceptor in a vertical direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2016
From: COOMER, STEPHEN DALE
To: ASM IP HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 037790/0737 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62234532 · Sep 29, 2015
Related Publication 20170092531A1 · Mar 30, 2017