Patent · US Expired

Charge neutralization apparatus for ion implantation system

US5136171A · kind A · utility

53Cited by
26References
48Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 25, 1991
Grant dateAug 4, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 25, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/026
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for neutralization of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer in a system wherein a beam of positive ions is applied to the workpiece. The apparatus includes an electron source for generating an electron beam and a magnetic assembly for generating a magnetic field for guiding the electron beam to the workpiece. The electron beam path preferably includes a first section between the electron source and the ion beam and a second section which is coincident with the ion beam. The magnetic assembly generates an axial component of magnetic field along the electron beam path. The magnetic assembly also generates a transverse component of the magnetic field in an elbow region between the first and second sections of the electron beam path. The electron source preferably includes a large area lanthanum hexaboride cathode and an extraction grid positioned in close proximity to the cathode. The apparatus provides a high current, low energy electron beam for neutralizing charge buildup on the workpiece.

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