US5748434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shield for an electrostatic chuck
Assignee: Applied Materials Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A shield (5) for an electrostatic chuck (4) includes a first shield member (60) circumscribing the chuck and a second shield member (62) supported over the first shield member. The second shield member has an upper surface surrounding the wafer and exposed to deposition from gases within the process chamber. Splitting the shield into two members increases the ratio of exposed surface to thermal mass of the second shield member, which increases the temperature of the second shield member during processing, thereby decreasing the rate of deposition thereon. In addition, the clean rate or deposition removal rate of the shield is typically a function of its temperature (i.e., the hotter the shield becomes during processing, the faster it can be cleaned). Therefore, the clean rate of the second shield member will be increased, thereby enhancing the throughput of the process.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent Rossman
- 👤 Brian Lue
- 👤 Fred C. Redeker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:55
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02N; H02N13/00; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/70; H10P72/72; H10P72/722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A wafer processing apparatus comprising: an electrically insulating element having a substantially planar surface for receiving a wafer; an electrically conductive element adjacent to a surface of the insulating element opposite the substantially planar surface; a first shield member at least partially circumscribing the electrically conductive element; and a second, separate shield member supported over the first shield member and positioned to at least partially circumscribe the electrically insulating element; wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A wafer processing apparatus comprising: an electrically insulating element having a substantially planar surface for receiving a wafer; an electrically conductive element adjacent to a surface of the insulating element opposite the substantially planar surface; a first shield member at least partially circumscribing the electrically conductive element; and a second, separate shield member supported over the first shield member and positioned to at least partially circumscribe the electrically insulating element; wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second shield members are substantially thermally isolated from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first and second shield members form a solid-to-solid contact with each other, the shield members defining interstitial spaces therebetween, the interstitial spaces forming a substantial thermal barrier between the shield members in a low-pressure environment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second shield member defines an upper exposed surface having a surface area, the ratio of the surface area of the upper exposed surface to the thermal mass of the second shield member being about 1 to 1.6 cm 2 K/Joule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second shield members comprise an electrically insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second shield members are annular rings substantially circumscribing the insulating and conductive elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second shield member defines an upper exposed surface and a plurality of projections extending from the upper exposed surface for holding a semiconductor wafer between projections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the projections are elongate tabs circumferentially spaced about the upper exposed surface of the second shield member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the second shield member extends above the planar surface of the insulating element by a distance less than the thickness of the wafer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second shield member extends above the planar surface of the insulating element by about 0 to 5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for generating an electrostatic force between the wafer and the conductive element to hold the wafer to the insulating element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrostatic chuck for holding a wafer during processing in a plasma reaction chamber comprising: a pedestal having a metallic upper surface; a layer of dielectric material formed on the upper surface of the pedestal, the dielectric layer having an upper surface for receiving a wafer; and a shield member substantially circumscribing the pedestal, the shield member comprising first and second portions substantially thermally isolated from each other; wherein the second shield member is positioned to isolate the first shield member from the plasma reaction chamber and wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrostatic chuck for holding a wafer during processing in a plasma reaction chamber comprising: a pedestal having a metallic upper surface; a layer of dielectric material formed on the upper surface of the pedestal, the dielectric layer having an upper surface for receiving a wafer; and a shield member substantially circumscribing the pedestal, the shield member comprising first and second portions substantially thermally isolated from each other; wherein the second shield member is positioned to isolate the first shield member from the plasma reaction chamber and wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The chuck of claim 12 wherein the first and second portions of the shield member form a solid-to-solid contact with each other, said portions defining interstitial spaces therebetween, the interstitial spaces forming a substantial thermal barrier between said portions in a low-pressure environment.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for fabricating an integrated circuit device comprising: an enclosure assembly housing a processing chamber; an electrostatic chuck disposed within the processing chamber, the electrostatic chuck comprising: an electrically insulating layer having a substantially planar surface for receiving a wafer; and an electrode opposing a wall surface of the electrically insulating layer opposite the planar surface; a first electrically insulating shield member substantially circumscribing the electrostatic chuck; a second electrically insulating shield member supported on the first shield member and positioned to substantially circumscribe the electrical insulating layer, the first and second shield members being substantially thermally isolated from each other; wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member; and a voltage source coupled to the electrode for applying a voltage between the wafer and the electrode to generate a columbic force for holding the wafer onto the insulating layer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for fabricating an integrated circuit device comprising: an enclosure assembly housing a processing chamber; an electrostatic chuck disposed within the processing chamber, the electrostatic chuck comprising: an electrically insulating layer having a substantially planar surface for receiving a wafer; and an electrode opposing a wall surface of the electrically insulating layer opposite the planar surface; a first electrically insulating shield member substantially circumscribing the electrostatic chuck; a second electrically insulating shield member supported on the first shield member and positioned to substantially circumscribe the electrical insulating layer, the first and second shield members being substantially thermally isolated from each other; wherein the second shield member has a substantially smaller thermal mass than the first shield member; and a voltage source coupled to the electrode for applying a voltage between the wafer and the electrode to generate a columbic force for holding the wafer onto the insulating layer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device comprising: positioning a semiconductor wafer adjacent to a substantially planar surface of an electrically insulating element within a process chamber, the electrically insulating element being disposed over an electrode; shielding the electrode with a shield member substantially circumscribing the electrode, the shield member comprising first and second separate portions; and shielding the first portion of the shield member from the process chamber with the second portion of the shield member; wherein the first and second portions of the shield member comprise an electrically insulating or an electrically semiconducting material.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device comprising: positioning a semiconductor wafer adjacent to a substantially planar surface of an electrically insulating element within a process chamber, the electrically insulating element being disposed over an electrode; shielding the electrode with a shield member substantially circumscribing the electrode, the shield member comprising first and second separate portions; and shielding the first portion of the shield member from the process chamber with the second portion of the shield member; wherein the first and second portions of the shield member comprise an electrically insulating or an electrically semiconducting material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising inhibiting deposition of gas onto an exposed surface of the second portion of the shield member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the inhibiting step is carried out by substantially thermally isolating the first portion of the shield member from the second portion of the shield member and heating the second portion during processing to reduce deposition of gas onto an exposed surface of the second portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the thermally isolating step is carried out by positioning the first portion on the second portion in solid-to-solid contact with each other and maintaining a low pressure within the process chamber such that interstitial spaces between the first and second portions create a thermal barrier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising selecting a ratio of exposed surface area to thermal mass of about 1 to 1.6 cm 2 K/J for the second portion of the shield member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the inhibiting step is carried out by positioning the exposed portion below an upper surface of the wafer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising holding the wafer on the planar surface of the electrically insulating member with a plurality of projections extending from the second portion of the shield member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising generating an electrostatic force between the wafer and the insulating element to hold the wafer to the insulating element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the generating step comprises: applying voltage between the electrically conducting element and the wafer; and generating a coulumbic attraction force between the wafer and the insulating element.
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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) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |