Abstract:
A deposition tool includes a vacuum chamber and a physical vapor deposition module including a target source in the vacuum chamber. The target source includes a target material for depositing on a workpiece. An evaporator module is independent of the physical vapor deposition module and is mounted within an enclosure in the vacuum chamber. A gate is configured to selectively open the enclosure to permit evaporation of a coating element to coat the target source in the physical vapor deposition module.
Abstract:
A mask alignment method for a substrate holding apparatus. A first engaging portion is formed in one of a substrate holder and a mask and has two protruding portions. A second engaging portion is formed in the other one of the substrate holder and the mask and has at least one protruding portion. First groove portions formed in the other one of the substrate holder and the mask engage with the protruding portions of the first engaging portion. A second groove portion formed in the other one of the substrate holder and the mask engages with the protruding portion of the second engaging portion. The mask alignment method includes the steps of (a) engaging the protruding portions of the first engaging portion with the first groove portions to align the mask with respect to the substrate holder in a first direction, and (b) engaging, after the step of engaging the protruding portions of the first engaging portion with the first groove portions, the protruding portion of the second engaging portion with the second groove portion, to align the mask with respect to the substrate holder in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
Abstract:
In a reactive sputtering apparatus, an inert-gas supplying hole is provided in a movable target unit whose one end is open and whose conductance is controlled, and a reactive gas containing at least fluorine or oxygen can be supplied to a space between the target and a substrate. The apparatus is constructed so as to emit the reactive gas toward the substrate. A reactive-gas emitting location is in the space between the target and the substrate such that a concentration of the reactive gas on the substrate surface can be maintained at a higher level. When the target is moved, a reactive-gas emitting port is moved or the reactive-gas emitting location is changed. The concentration of the reactive gas on the substrate surface can be effectively kept constant, and a high-quality optical thin film can be formed.
Abstract:
In a reactive sputtering apparatus, an inert-gas supplying hole is provided in a movable target unit whose one end is open and whose conductance is controlled, and a reactive gas containing at least fluorine or oxygen can be supplied to a space between the target and a substrate. The apparatus is constructed so as to emit the reactive gas toward the substrate. A reactive-gas emitting location is in the space between the target and the substrate such that a concentration of the reactive gas on the substrate surface can be maintained at a higher level. When the target is moved, a reactive-gas emitting port is moved or the reactive-gas emitting location is changed. The concentration of the reactive gas on the substrate surface can be effectively kept constant, and a high-quality optical thin film can be formed.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling stress variation in a material layer formed via pulsed DC physical vapour deposition. The method comprises the steps of providing a chamber comprising a target from which the material layer is formed and a substrate upon which the material layer is formable, and subsequently introducing a gas within the chamber. The method further comprises generating a plasma within the chamber and applying a first magnetic field proximate the target to substantially localise the plasma adjacent the target. An RF bias is applied to the substrate to attract gas ions from the plasma toward the substrate and a second magnetic field is applied proximate the substrate to steer gas ions from the plasma to selective regions upon the material layer formed on the substrate.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for co-sputtering multiple target materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process chamber including a substrate support to support a substrate; a plurality of cathodes coupled to a carrier and having a corresponding plurality of targets to be sputtered onto the substrate; and a process shield coupled to the carrier and extending between adjacent pairs of the plurality of targets.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for reactive sputtering in which, by means of ion bombardment, material is ejected from the surface of a first target and undergoes transition to the gas phase, wherein negative voltage is applied pulsewise to the target in such a way that an electric current having a current density of greater than 0.5A/cm 2 occurs at the target surface, such that the material undergoing transition to the gas phase is at least partly ionized, and in which a reactive gas flow is established and reactive gas reacts with the material of the target surface, characterized in that the duration of a voltage pulse is chosen such that, during the voltage pulse, the target surface, at the location or locations at which the current flows, most of the time is covered at least partly with a compound composed of reactive gas and target material and, consequently, the target surface is in a first intermediate state, and this covering is smaller at the end of the voltage pulse than at the start of the voltage pulse and, consequently, the target surface is in a second intermediate state at the end of the voltage pulse.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for co-sputtering multiple target materials are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process chamber including a substrate support to support a substrate; a plurality of cathodes coupled to a carrier and having a corresponding plurality of targets to be sputtered onto the substrate; and a process shield coupled to the carrier and extending between adjacent pairs of the plurality of targets.