IP Library Granted Patent US 12,463,075
Granted Patent B2
US 12,463,075 · App. 18/586,307 · Granted Nov 4, 2025

Cathode assembly for integration of embedded electrostatic chuck (ESC)

Inventors: Karthik Elumalai (Singapore, SG); Arunkumar Tatti (Haveri, IN); Muhammad Danial Bin Mohamed Yunos (Singapore, SG); Eng Sheng Peh (Singapore, SG); Cheng Sun (Singapore, SG); Ye Y Liu (Singapore, SG)
Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
H01L21/6833H01J37/32577H01J37/32724
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,463,075
App. No.
18/586,307
Granted
Nov 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein include an apparatus that includes an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The electrostatic chuck may include a first body that is electrically conductive, and a ceramic insert on the first body with an electrode embedded within the ceramic insert. In an embodiment, the apparatus may further include a facility plate that is coupled to the ESC. The facility plate may include a second body that is electrically conductive with a hole through the second body. In an embodiment, a DC input connector is provided through the hole, and an RF feed line is coupled to the second body. In an embodiment, a pin of the DC input connector is electrically isolated from the RF feed line.

Claims (43)

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

an electrostatic chuck (ESC) comprising:

a first body that is electrically conductive; and

a ceramic insert on the first body, wherein an electrode is embedded within the ceramic insert; and

a facility plate coupled to the ESC, wherein the facility plate comprises:

a second body that is electrically conductive;

a hole through the second body;

a DC input connector through the hole; and

an RF feed line coupled to the second body, wherein a pin of the DC input connector is electrically isolated from the RF feed line.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the facility plate is electrically coupled to the ESC by one or more links.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pin of the DC input connector is surrounded by an electrically insulating collar.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the DC input connector is electrically coupled to the electrode by an input assembly that passes at least partially through a thickness of the first body.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the input assembly comprises a spring.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the facility plate comprises a fluidic path from a first surface of the second body to a second surface of the second body, wherein the fluidic path comprises a first vertical portion, a horizontal channel, and a second vertical portion.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the horizontal channel comprises a first branch and a second branch that intersects the first branch.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ESC comprises a first fluidic channel and a second fluidic channel.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first fluidic channel is an outer zone backside gas channel, and wherein the second fluidic channel is an inner zone backside gas channel.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the facility plate is smaller than a diameter of the ESC.

11 . An apparatus, comprising:

a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, wherein the body is electrically conductive;

a hole through the body;

an input connector through the hole, wherein the input connector comprises a pin that is electrically conductive and a collar around the pin, wherein the collar is electrically insulating; and

an electrically conductive feed line contacting the body.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the feed line is electrically isolated from the pin.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

a fluidic path from the first surface to the second surface.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the fluidic path comprises a first end on the first surface and a second end on the second surface, and wherein the first end is offset from the second end in an X-Y plane.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the fluidic path comprises a horizontal channel within the body that couples the first end to the second end.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the horizontal channel comprises an intersection point.

17 . A semiconductor processing tool, comprising:

a chamber suitable for maintaining a vacuum environment within the chamber; and

a cathode assembly within the chamber, wherein the cathode assembly comprises:

an electrostatic chuck (ESC) comprising:

a first body that is electrically conductive; and

a ceramic insert on the first body, wherein an electrode is embedded within the ceramic insert; and

a facility plate coupled to the ESC, wherein the facility plate comprises:

a second body that is electrically conductive;

a hole through the second body;

a DC input connector through the hole; and

an RF feed line coupled to the second body, wherein a pin of the DC input connector is electrically isolated from the RF feed line.

18 . The semiconductor processing tool of claim 17 , wherein the semiconductor processing tool is configured for plasma dicing operations.

19 . The semiconductor processing tool of claim 17 , wherein the facility plate comprises a fluidic path with a first vertical portion, a second vertical portion, and a horizontal portion that couples the first vertical portion to the second vertical portion.

20 . The semiconductor processing tool of claim 17 , wherein the DC input connector comprises a pin, and wherein the pin is electrically coupled to the electrode by at least a spring.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2024
From: ELUMALAI, KARTHIK; TATTI, ARUNKUMAR; MOHAMED YUNOS, MUHAMMAD DANIAL BIN; PEH, ENG SHENG; SUN, CHENG; LIU, YE Y
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067011/0381 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250273497A1 · Aug 28, 2025
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