Patent US5178739A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5178739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for depositing material into high aspect ratio holes
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-09-25
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Granted: 1993-01-12
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Expires: 2011-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A sputter deposition system includes a hollow, cylindrical sputter target 14 disposed between an end sputter target 12 and a substrate 19, all of which are contained in a vacuum chamber 20. A plurality of magnets 24 are disposed outside the chamber 24 to create intense, plasma regions 48 near the interior surface of the cylindrical target 14 and thereby causing ionization of sputtered neutrals. Rf power is inductively coupled into the chamber 24 through rf coil 16 to sustain the plasma and substrate 19 is electrically biased to control ion directionality and energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael S. Barnes
- 👤 John C. Forster
- 👤 John H. Keller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:49
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/34; C23C14/3435; C23C14/345; C23C14/35; C23C14/354; C23C14/358; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/34; H01J37/3402; H01J37/3405; H01J37/3411; H01J37/3414; H01J37/342; H01J37/3438; H01J37/345; H01J37/3452
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: sputtering means for providing a sputtering source of the material; magnetic means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons; rf energy transmission means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf electrical energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume in the vacuum chamber to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contract with said plasma.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: sputtering means for providing a sputtering source of the material; magnetic means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons; rf energy transmission means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf electrical energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume in the vacuum chamber to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contract with said plasma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, further comprising biasing means for electrically biasing the substrate with DC or rf energy for controlling the energy and direction of ions impinging on the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said sputtering means comprises: a first sputter target; a second sputter target disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; and first and second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first and second sputter targets respectively to cause sputtering thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 3, further comprising means for varying the power between said first sputter target and said second sputter target in order to adjust the uniformity of deposition over the surface of the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said sputter means comprises: a first sputter target; a second cylindrical, hollow sputter target disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; and first and second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first and second sputter targets, respectively, to cause sputtering thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 5, further comprising means for varying the power between said first sputter target and said second sputter target in order to adjust the uniformity of deposition over the surface of the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, further comprising: gas means for providing gas in the vacuum chamber, said gas having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of the material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said rf energy transmission means comprises: rf power supply means for providing said rf electrical energy; and rf coil means for transmitting said rf electrical energy into said plasma.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said rf energy transmission means comprises: rf power supply means for providing said rf electrical energy; rf coil means for inductively coupling said rf electrical energy into said plasma; and, magnetization means for magnetizing said rf coil means, wherein said magnetization means confines plasma away from at least part of said rf coil means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said rf energy transmission comprises: rf power supply means for providing said rf electrical energy; a hollow rf coil means for inductively coupling said rf electrical energy into said plasma; and at least one magnet disposed within said hollow rf coil means for confining plasma away from at least part of said hollow rf coil means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein said rf energy transmission means and said sputtering means comprises: rf coil means; sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said rf coil means to cause sputtering thereof; rf power source means for providing said rf electrical energy to said rf coil means to cause said rf coil means to inductively couple said rf electrical energy into the vacuum chamber; and decoupling means for decoupling said sputter power source means from said rf power source means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 1, wherein: said magnet means comprises a plurality of ring shaped magnets; and said sputter means comprises a plurality of ring shaped targets disposed between said ring shaped magnets and a sputter power supply for providing power to said sputter targets to cause sputtering thereof.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: a first sputter target; first sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; first magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said first sputter target; a hollow, cylindrical, second sputter target disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said second sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; second magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said second sputter target; rf coil means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms therein; rf power source means for providing rf energy to said rf coil means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: a first sputter target; first sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; first magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said first sputter target; a hollow, cylindrical, second sputter target disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said second sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; second magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for magnetic confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said second sputter target; rf coil means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms therein; rf power source means for providing rf energy to said rf coil means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 13, wherein said rf coil means comprises: a coiled hollow tube; and a plurality of magnets disposed within said hollow tube for confining plasma away from said rf coil means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: an rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber and composed at least partly of the material; sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said rf coil to cause sputtering of the material therefrom; magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to said rf coil; rf power source for providing rf power to said rf coil to cause said rf coil to inductively couple rf energy into the vacuum chamber for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; decoupling means to decouple said sputter power source means from said rf power source means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: an rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber and composed at least partly of the material; sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said rf coil to cause sputtering of the material therefrom; magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confinement of plasma electrons in close proximity to said rf coil; rf power source for providing rf power to said rf coil to cause said rf coil to inductively couple rf energy into the vacuum chamber for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; decoupling means to decouple said sputter power source means from said rf power source means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: a first sputter target; first sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; first magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confining plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said first sputter target; a plurality of ring sputter targets disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said ring sputter targets for causing sputtering thereof; a plurality of ring magnet means disposed adjacent to said ring sputter targets for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confining plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said ring sputter targets; rf coil means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; rf power source means for providing rf energy to said rf coil means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus for depositing a material onto a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising: a first sputter target; first sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said first sputter target for causing sputtering thereof; first magnet means for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confining plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said first sputter target; a plurality of ring sputter targets disposed between said first sputter target and the substrate; second sputter power source means for providing electrical energy to said ring sputter targets for causing sputtering thereof; a plurality of ring magnet means disposed adjacent to said ring sputter targets for providing a multidipole magnetic field for confining plasma electrons in close proximity to the sputtering surface of said ring sputter targets; rf coil means disposed in the vacuum chamber for inductively coupling rf energy into the vacuum chamber directly for producing a plasma of sufficient density and volume to cause ionization of sputtered atoms; rf power source means for providing rf energy to said rf coil means; bias means for providing electrical bias to the substrate for controlling the direction and energy of ions impinging thereon; and substrate placement means for placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for producing a plasma in a vacuum chamber comprising: rf power source means for providing rf energy; hollow rf coil means for inductively coupling said rf energy into the vacuum chamber; and a plurality of magnets disposed within said rf coil means for confining plasma away from said rf coil means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for producing a plasma in a vacuum chamber comprising: rf power source means for providing rf energy; hollow rf coil means for inductively coupling said rf energy into the vacuum chamber; and a plurality of magnets disposed within said rf coil means for confining plasma away from said rf coil means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus for producing a plasma in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 17, wherein said magnets are positioned with their magnetization directed radially outward from the center of said tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus for a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 17, wherein said magnets are positioned with their magnetization directed axially along the length of said tube.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising the steps of: sputtering the material off of at least one target with magnetron discharge; inductively coupling rf electrical energy directly into the vacuum chamber using a rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber in order to cause ionization of said sputtered material; confining the plasma whereby produced using a multidipole magnetic field; and, placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising the steps of: sputtering the material off of at least one target with magnetron discharge; inductively coupling rf electrical energy directly into the vacuum chamber using a rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber in order to cause ionization of said sputtered material; confining the plasma whereby produced using a multidipole magnetic field; and, placing the substrate in contact with said plasma.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 20, further comprising the step of: biasing the substrate to control the energy and directionality of ions impinging on the substrate.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising the steps of: sputtering the material off of at least one target with magnetron discharge; inductively coupling rf power directly into the vacuum chamber using a rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber in order to cause ionization of said sputtered material; confining the plasma thereby produced using a multidipole magnetic field; placing the substrate in contact with said plasma; and, biasing the substrate to control the energy and directionality of ions impinging on the substrate.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber comprising the steps of: sputtering the material off of at least one target with magnetron discharge; inductively coupling rf power directly into the vacuum chamber using a rf coil disposed in the vacuum chamber in order to cause ionization of said sputtered material; confining the plasma thereby produced using a multidipole magnetic field; placing the substrate in contact with said plasma; and, biasing the substrate to control the energy and directionality of ions impinging on the substrate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 20 or 22 further comprising the step of adding CVD gas into the vacuum chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of depositing a material upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber as defined in claim 20 or 22, further comprising the step of placing magnets inside said rf coil to confine plasma away from at least part of said rf coil.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |