US6132575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetron reactor for providing a high density, inductively coupled plasma source for sputtering metal and dielectric films
Assignee: WSOU Investments LLC
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Filing: 1998-09-28
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Granted: 2000-10-17
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Expires: 2018-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A magnetron reactor for providing a high density of plasma is disclosed. The reactor comprises a plasma reactor chamber that is adapted for receiving a processing gas in the chamber and is further adapted for connection to an evacuation source. A direct current driven magnetron is positioned within the reactor chamber and is adapted to hold a sputtering target. A movable substrate supporting pedestal, adapted to hold a substrate, is positioned within the reactor and is movable so as to place the substrate sufficiently proximate to the sputtering target to enable deposition of sputter products thereon. The substrate pedestal is connected to a first radio frequency signal source through an impedence matchbox having a phase shifting adjustment means. To provide a high density inductively coupled plasma, a radio frequency antenna, having a substrate end, is positioned about the chamber. The antenna is connected to a second radio frequency signal source through an impedence matchbox. The reactor of the present invention also includes an electromagnetic coil that is positioned around and adjacent to the substrate end of the radio frequency antenna.
Inventors
- 👤 Tamarak Pandumsoporn
- 👤 Mark Feldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32009; H01J37/32082; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/34; C23C14/35; C23C14/354; C23C14/358; C23C14/50; H01J37/32431; H01J37/3266; H01J37/32697; H01J37/32706; H01J37/34; H01J37/3402; H01J37/3405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A plasma reactor for sputtering metals and dielectric films, the reactor comprising: a plasma reactor chamber adapted for receiving a processing gas in the chamber and adapted for connection to an evacuation source; a direct current (DC) driven magnetron positioned within the reactor chamber, the magnetron being adapted to hold a sputtering target; a DC signal source connected to the magnetron; a movable substrate supporting pedestal adapted to hold a substrate, positioned within the reactor chamber and movable so as to place the substrate sufficiently proximate to the sputtering target to enable deposition of sputter products onto the substrate; a first radio frequency signal source connected to the substrate pedestal via a first radio frequency match box having a phase shifting adjustment means; a radio frequency antenna positioned about the chamber, the antenna having a substrate end; a second radio frequency signal source connected to the radio frequency antenna via a second radio frequency match box; an electromagnetic coil disposed around the antenna adjacent to its substrate end; and a DC power supply connected to the electromagnetic coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A plasma reactor for sputtering metals and dielectric films, the reactor comprising: a plasma reactor chamber adapted for receiving a processing gas in the chamber and adapted for connection to an evacuation source; a direct current (DC) driven magnetron positioned within the reactor chamber, the magnetron being adapted to hold a sputtering target; a DC signal source connected to the magnetron; a movable substrate supporting pedestal adapted to hold a substrate, positioned within the reactor chamber and movable so as to place the substrate sufficiently proximate to the sputtering target to enable deposition of sputter products onto the substrate; a first radio frequency signal source connected to the substrate pedestal via a first radio frequency match box having a phase shifting adjustment means; a radio frequency antenna positioned about the chamber, the antenna having a substrate end; a second radio frequency signal source connected to the radio frequency antenna via a second radio frequency match box; an electromagnetic coil disposed around the antenna adjacent to its substrate end; and a DC power supply connected to the electromagnetic coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the DC signal source connected to the magnetron is a pulsing DC signal source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the DC signal source connected to the magnetron is a continuous DC signal source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the substrate pedestal is cooled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is cooled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reactor according to claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic coil is cooled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reactor according to claim 6, wherein the pedestal is cooled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic coil is cooled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetron is a rotating magnetron.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The reactor according to claim 1, wherein the magnetron is a rotating magnetron and the DC signal source connected to the magnetron is a pulsing DC signal source.
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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) | 2003-10-17 | 2004-04-17 | 2004-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-17 | 2008-04-17 | 2008-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-17 | 2012-04-17 | 2012-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |