IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,518,948
Granted Patent B2
US 12,518,948 · App. 17/840,500 · Granted Jan 6, 2026

Remote modular high-frequency source

Inventors: Hanh Nguyen (San Jose, CA); Thai Cheng Chua (Cupertino, CA); Philip Allan Kraus (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
H01J37/32238H01J37/32201H01J37/32311H01J37/3244H01J37/32724H01J37/32935H01J2237/3321H01J2237/3323H01J2237/334H01J2237/335H01L21/6831
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,518,948
App. No.
17/840,500
Granted
Jan 6, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a processing tool that comprises a processing chamber, a chuck for supporting a substrate in the processing chamber, a dielectric window forming a portion of the processing chamber, and a modular high-frequency emission source. In an embodiment, the modular high-frequency emission source comprises a plurality of high-frequency emission modules. In an embodiment, each high-frequency emission module comprises, an oscillator module, amplification module, and an applicator. In an embodiment, the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module. In an embodiment, the applicator is coupled to the amplification module. In an embodiment, the applicator is positioned proximate to the dielectric window.

Claims (13)

1 . A processing tool, comprising:

a processing chamber;

a chuck for supporting a substrate in the processing chamber, the chuck having a lateral width;

a dielectric window forming a portion of the processing chamber, the dielectric window continuous across an entirety of the lateral width of the chuck, and the dielectric window having a plurality of recesses therein; and

a plurality of modular high-frequency emission sources, each modular high-frequency emission source comprising:

an oscillator module;

an amplification module, wherein the amplification module is coupled to the oscillator module; and

an applicator, wherein the applicator is coupled to the amplification module, wherein the applicator is in a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses in the dielectric window, and wherein the applicator comprises:

a dielectric resonant cavity, wherein the dielectric resonant cavity is in contact with the dielectric window; and

a monopole antenna extending into the dielectric resonant cavity.

2 . The processing tool of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric window is planar.

3 . The processing tool of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric window is non-planar.

4 . The processing tool of claim 3 , wherein the dielectric window is domed shaped.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2022
From: NGUYEN, HANH; CHUA, THAI CHENG; KRAUS, PHILIP ALLAN
To: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060216/0444 →
Continuity (2)
Division 15958478 · Apr 20, 2018
Related Publication 20220319812A1 · Oct 6, 2022
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