Patent · US Active

Method for monitoring process conditions of, and method for controlling, a plasma PVD process

US12180579B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 2021
Grant dateDec 31, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3467
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method (200) for monitoring process conditions in a plasma PVD process as well as a method (300) for controlling a plasma PVD process are disclosed. The methods are performed in an apparatus (1) configured therefore. In accordance with the methods, an oscillating voltage signal is applied to a target (3), arranged in the apparatus (1), by means of a radio frequency generator 15). The response from the applied oscillating voltage signal is recorded by means of a radio frequency sensor (16). Based on the recorded response, information regarding at least one plasma process condition is derived. A computer program and a computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.