US6444039B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-dimensional showerhead apparatus
Assignee: Lam Research Corp
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Filing: 2000-03-07
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2020-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A vapor supply apparatus, for use in a semiconductor device manufacturing process, provides a three-dimensional showerhead for supplying various precursors to a reaction chamber. The three-dimensional showerhead comprises an inverted-cup structure having double walls, an outer wall and an inner wall, with the double walls defining a first interior volume and the inner wall defining an exterior cavity, the inverted-cup structure further has a plurality of first inlet ports connected to the outer wall for introducing first precursors into the first interior volume and a plurality of first outlet ports at the inner wall for discharging the first precursor vapor from the first interior volume to the exterior cavity. The three-dimensional showerhead confines the precursor vapor inside the external cavity to modify the processed film characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Tue Nguyen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:32
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/44; C23C16/455; C23C16/45563; C23C16/45565; H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A three-dimensional showerhead for a vapor supply apparatus comprising an inverted-cup structure having double walls, an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall having a horizontally positioned top inner wall and a vertically positioned side inner wall, said double walls defining a first interior volume and said inner wall defining an exterior cavity, said structure further having: a plurality of first inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing first precursors into said first interior volume; a plurality of first outlet ports positioned on said horizontally positioned top inner wall and said vertically positioned side inner wall of said inner wall for discharging the first precursor vapor from said first interior volume to said exterior cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A three-dimensional showerhead for a vapor supply apparatus comprising an inverted-cup structure having double walls, an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall having a horizontally positioned top inner wall and a vertically positioned side inner wall, said double walls defining a first interior volume and said inner wall defining an exterior cavity, said structure further having: a plurality of first inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing first precursors into said first interior volume; a plurality of first outlet ports positioned on said horizontally positioned top inner wall and said vertically positioned side inner wall of said inner wall for discharging the first precursor vapor from said first interior volume to said exterior cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A showerhead as in claim 1 further including a means to heat said showerhead to the first temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A showerhead as in claim 1 further including a baffle plate at the inlet ports to diffuse the inlet precursor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A showerhead as in claim 1 wherein the outlet ports having a concentric circles pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A showerhead as in claim 1 wherein the outlet ports having a repeated polygonal pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A two-zone showerhead for a vapor supply apparatus comprising a body structure having double walls, an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall having a horizontally positioned top inner wall and a vertically positioned side inner wall, said double walls defining a first interior volume and said inner wall defining an exterior cavity, said structure further having: a partition wall dividing said first interior volume into a first interior volume and a second interior volume; a plurality of first inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing first precursors into said first interior volume; a plurality of second inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing second precursors into said second interior volume; a plurality of first outlet ports at said inner wall for discharging the first precursor vapor from said first interior volume to said exterior cavity. a plurality of second outlet ports at said inner wall for discharging the second precursors vapor from said second interior volumes to said exterior cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
A two-zone showerhead for a vapor supply apparatus comprising a body structure having double walls, an outer wall and an inner wall, said inner wall having a horizontally positioned top inner wall and a vertically positioned side inner wall, said double walls defining a first interior volume and said inner wall defining an exterior cavity, said structure further having: a partition wall dividing said first interior volume into a first interior volume and a second interior volume; a plurality of first inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing first precursors into said first interior volume; a plurality of second inlet ports connected to said outer wall for introducing second precursors into said second interior volume; a plurality of first outlet ports at said inner wall for discharging the first precursor vapor from said first interior volume to said exterior cavity. a plurality of second outlet ports at said inner wall for discharging the second precursors vapor from said second interior volumes to said exterior cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A showerhead as in claim 6 further including a means to heat the showerhead to the first temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A showerhead as in claim 6 further including a baffle plate at the inlet ports to diffuse the inlet precursor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A two-zone three-dimensional showerhead as in claim 6 wherein said body structure is an inverted-cup structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A showerhead as in claim 9 further including a means to heat the showerhead to the first temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A showerhead as in claim 9 further including a baffle plate at the inlet ports to diffuse the inlet precursor.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |