US4931169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for coating a substrate with dielectrics
Assignee: Balzers und Leybold Deutschland Holding AG
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Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1990-06-05
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an apparatus for coating a substrate (1) with dielectrics which has a dc current source (10) connected to an electrode (5) which is connected to a target (3) which is being sputtered. The sputtered particles of the target (3) form a compound with an introduced substance which is deposited on the substrate (1). Permeating the target (3) are toroidal maganetic fields whose field lines emerge in the region of magnetic poles from the surface of the target (3). Under the invention an ac voltage source (30) is provided whose output voltage is superimposed on the dc voltage of the dc current source (10). Here, the electrical output of the ac current source (30) which is supplied to the electrode (5) corresponds to 5% to 25% of the output supplied by the dc current source (10) to the electrode (5).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Scherer
- 👤 Rudolf Latz
- 👤 Ulrich Patz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:45
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/34; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/34; H01J37/3402; H01J37/3405; C23C14/0021; C23C14/0036; C23C14/0042; C23C14/0068; C23C14/06; C23C14/0641; C23C14/0652; C23C14/24; C23C14/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An improved apparatus for coating a substrate with dielectrics, the apparatus having a dc voltage source which is connected to an electrode which in turn is connected to a target which is sputtered and whose sputtered particles form a compound with an introduced substance, the compound being deposited on the substrate, the apparatus further having toroidal magnetic fields permeating the target with field lines emerging in the region of the magnetic poles from the surface of the target, the improvement comprising: an ac voltage source whose output voltage is superimposed on the dc voltage of the dc voltage source; and the voltage output of the ac voltage source is coupled to the electrode and equals 5% to 25% of the voltage output supplied to the electrode by the dc voltage source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An improved apparatus for coating a substrate with dielectrics, the apparatus having a dc voltage source which is connected to an electrode which in turn is connected to a target which is sputtered and whose sputtered particles form a compound with an introduced substance, the compound being deposited on the substrate, the apparatus further having toroidal magnetic fields permeating the target with field lines emerging in the region of the magnetic poles from the surface of the target, the improvement comprising: an ac voltage source whose output voltage is superimposed on the dc voltage of the dc voltage source; and the voltage output of the ac voltage source is coupled to the electrode and equals 5% to 25% of the voltage output supplied to the electrode by the dc voltage source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the ac voltage source is a high frequency voltage source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the dc voltage source is regulated with respect to current, voltage or output power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the ac voltage output is 10% of the dc voltage output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the dc voltage source is coupled to the electrode via first and second inductors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein between the dc voltage source and the first inductor a capacitor couples the dc voltage source to ground potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein between the first inductor and the second inductor a capacitor couples the first inductor to ground potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the ac voltage source is coupled to the electrode via first and second capacitors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a first container is provided in which is located a second container having an opening which defines a diaphragm, with the substrate to be coated facing the target through this opening of the second container, and further wherein one or more gases are introduced into the interspace between the first and the second containers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the ac voltage source supplies an ac voltage having a frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the target consists of aluminum and the compound deposited on the substrate consists of Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the target consists of conductive silicon and the compound deposited on the substrate consists of SiO 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the target consists of aluminum and the compound deposited on the substrate consists of AlN.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the target consists of conductive silicon and the compound deposited on the substrate consists of Si 3 N 4 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the dc voltage source, when a target of Al, Si or Sn is used, is regulated with respect to voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the dc voltage source, when sputtering a target of Al, Si, Sn or In/Sn in an argon/oxygen atmosphere, is regulated with respect to voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the dc voltage source, when a target of Al or Si is sputtered in an argon/nitrogen atmosphere, is regulated with respect to voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |